Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-11-24

dark treason. Bear with me, Jeanne;
it is so hard for me to realize that
have such happiness in M grasp,
Why, nay darling, 7 shall have to keep
you in my sight fof the next few days
10 persuade myself that it is real, and
that you aren't flown away. like a
dream-childi Jeanne." he says, sud
denly. with a half-serious, wholly ten
der smile lurking under his mustaehe,
what will Aunt Jane say when l GO
in and tell her want her eve Iamb2'
Jeanne looks up for a second
bravely.
What can she say?"
Vernon Ware shakes his head.
Poor mel and struggling artists in
particular, do not meet with an effu'
sive welcome when they come with
the request / am going to make.
And jeanne" he says, taking both her
hands, and holding them tightly as he
looks with loving, longing scrutiny
into her downeast face, "are you sure
of yourself? A poor mans wife
fancy!"
Are you so very poor?" asks
Jeanne, eagerly. Il am-so glad!"
she says. drawing long breath; Il
am so glad!"
"Why-why?" he asks, keeping
back the swift, glad light which
flashes to his eyes.
/ Jeanne leans forward until her
head rests against his heart
Because-because," she says,
softly, we shall always be together,
like poor people, and you will not
learn to forget me; because / shall be
company for you while you work, and
you will need me. and be glad of me
ever so much more than if you were
rich, Yes, l am glad you are poorl"
He does not speak, but passes his
hand over the golden head that lies
!. against his heart.
And you will never h. sorry, dar-
! ling?" he says, land never look back
and think what might have been il
another had found my queen, and laid
a title and his money at her feet?
MOI" he says, Il know my jeanne
my Jeanne!"
Then they go SLOWLY back-very
slowly, in silence.
Just as they are in sight of the
house, Aunt James slovenly figure,
covered )y its apron, appears in a
doorway, and without a word Jeanne
slips from lis arm and vanishes.
Vernon Vane emits his short laugh
and makes for tie foe.
Good morning. Mr.. vane," says
Aunt Jane, holding ont a fioury hand
and Withdrawing it With laugh
Wasn't that Jeanne with you?"
Yes" says Vane, with a smt e.
:" May | come in?' and he follows her
into the kitchen.
You'll get all over -four" she says,
as he sits himself upon a broad table
and looks at her with quiet smile on
! his handsome face. do you want to
peer into the mysteries of puff-paste?
Where is Jeanne?"
Jeanne has fed" he says
| "Fled?" echoes Aunt Jane; then she
/ tbOhH Vi. oil hNh ny INC WY III Which,
he says Jeanne" and reads the story
in his eyes.
ooh, what is it?" she says
"Will you give her to me?" he asks,
very gently. Il love her with all my
heart"
OF course, Aunt Jane sinks into a
chair, and equally, of course, having
gained her breath, she cries.
Jeanne is child" she says at
last. "And--and-oh I can't believe
it! She doesn't know what love
means"
Not till last night" he murmurs
almost to himself You see." he goes
on. Il came to you first, and you
shall go with me to Uncle John.
Don't refuse her to me, Mrs. Dos.
trell," he breaks off with a sudden.
sharp earnestness that terrifies Aunt
Jane into tears again.
"No--no!" she says; but if she is
willing. and you think"
Il think so," he says, with deep
light in his eyes.
Then l must say vest" says Aunt
Jane. suddenly.
To be continued.