Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-12-15

u 81
What did aunt say to herr"
eone question at time, Hail. says
Jeanne, trying to laugh easily, "or at
least none at all, for haven't time TO
answer them. Aunt is out somewhere.
and, oh, Hal" and Jeanne, over
wrought. puts her arms around the
boys neck, and bursts into tears.
why, Jen," he exclaims, with his
mouth full of biscuit, what are you
upset about? She hasn't bolted with
the silver spoons, has she? Steady,
Jeanne! Tell me what it is"
Nothing nothing" says Jeanne,
hastily drying her eyes. Il am
rather tired and upset, / think, Hail.
ITS all this beastly fuss and prepa-
ration" says Hal. taking another bis
cult and munching it ruefully.
Il wonder why people can't get
married without all this hullabaloo
and kick-up, upsettlng themselves and
everybody else? When I'm married,
/ I'll walk off quietly to the nearest
church, and come back to dinner like
a sensible human being"
Jeanne laughs.
"stick to that, Hal, and you'll
earn the gratitude and admiration of
all your sex"
but | don't say | shouldn't have a
feed" says Hal. meditatively; that's
the only good thing al nut the whole
affair. But, Jeanne, wish Vernon
had been here to see this awful swell!
Shed make nice picture. My! she
was beautiful, IL you like
Il don't admire that kind Of
beauty, says Jeanne, coldly."
81 do. thought" says Hal. Why,
she was a perfect picture in herself
and did you notice the way in which
she spoke to that unfortunate coach
man? An empress couldn't have
come it stronger"
"Yes-yes, says Jeanne, impa.
tiently Il noticed it, and-and
think would rather break stones If /
were man than be a servant or
hersl"
"Halloal" oys Hal, with a whistle
Jealous, Jen?"
'Jealous!" exclaims Jeanne. turning
scarlet What do you mean?"
Nothing, only chaff, Jen; don't be
angry with a fellow on the last day"
Whereupon Jeanne rubs his curly
head and kisses him, makes her
peace, and retreats to her room.
Then, first glanelng with start at
the wedding finery lying upon the
bed. Jeanne walks straight to the
glass.
beautiful Hal called her" sac
says. scanning her OWE lovely, nut
troubled, face. Ever a boy Is at
tracted by aud notices her loveliness,
And he loved her! Who can wonder
at j.! And what is there in me.
poor, simple girl, TO make him for
get her beauty and her grace, andsthe
nameless charm which clings aybur
her like the scent she uses? On, If
she had not comet If she had but
gone past ard taken his secret with
her how-now happy | should be
tears to roll down her fresh young
cheeks.
But he has left her" she says, sud
denly. and with quick expression of
defiance, HE has left her and he
says he does love me; and he shalt
she exclaims between her shut teeth
He shalt she shall not separate us.
Moved by some impulse-which no
doubt every woman will understand
without any elaborate explanation
mences dragging out dress after dress.
Notwithstanding her engagement,
,Ieanne's wardrobe is by no means a
varied and extensive one. but she pos
sesses a few additions to the simple
black frock which for long time
served her as her best, and now she
takes these later additions and
spreads them out and examines them
with severely critical eye. But she
comes back to the soft black rock
after all.
Il wore this she murmurs, when
the night he told me that he loved
me"
And 1t is the black which she Sc
lects now. But she chooses some deli
cate old lace which Aunt Jane has IN.
earthed for her from some relics Of
Aunt James own youth, ana she takes
from its case the handsome necklet of
pearls and rubies (costlier than
Jeanne has any idea of which her
Vernon has given her. and proceeds
To dress.
So it happens that when she comes
down to dinner. dressed in simple
soft black. with her antique lace and
necklet. and above all her exquisite
face aglow with an eager desire TO
charm, Aunt Jane SMILES approvmgly,
and pats her white. round arm low
ingly and Uncle John looks over his
spectacles and stares adnhingly as
he groausi
Jeanne, my child, what shall we
do without you tomorrow end the
morrow after that2'
There, John SAYS Aunt Jane, as
Jeanne goes around and kisses him
with q sudden moisture in her eyes.
don't make her lew.spirited: any
ope would think she was going to
Australia, Instead OF trip on the con.
Inherit