Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-16

and rejoice in her happiness. isn't ~
only natural"
Just so" says Hal sHulIo. there's
that old cracked bell for the table
d'hote. What blessing one doesn't
have to put on swalIow-tails. I'll just
wash my hands and be down In
minute. Keep place for me, Bea
and, say, / wish you'd ask them II
they've ct bottles of Bass-that
yellow wine with ten stomachaches to
bottle. doesn't agree with mel"
And he clatters out of the room.
Bell puts up his writing Casa
present from the parishioners to the
Reverend Peter Bell. Citrate of New
ton Regis. inscribed in git letters on
the outside thereof-snd, signing
softly. slowly descends to the Speise
Saal, or dining--oom.
Hal runs up % his room, his serv-
iceable boots still gathering on the
polished floors; but instead of making
straight for the washingstand, with
the ridiculous pie dish and milk jug,
which German hotel-keepers provide
for ablutionary purposes, he seats
himself on the bed and slowly ruDs
his head. as is his way when he wants
to think.
"A princess." he says. Princess
of what. and what is her father the
king Of? George, she's too good
too-too jolly to be a princess.
Shall call tomorrow? Perhaps.
when they hear I've run fishing hook
in her arm, they'll seize me and order
me off to instant execution" and he
laughs.
Then he takes out the fishing-hook
and looks at it curiously.
IT'S what old Bell would call an ad.
venture" he says, smiling. why
shouldn't call? OF course, it's the
proper thing to do. Yes, will"
Then. with much and eloquent
abuse of the pie dish, he performs his
limited toilet and goes down.
Bell has saved seat for him-a
wise precaution, for the long, narrow
table is lined on both sides by COM
pany that, however mixed as regards
status and nationality, is united in its
vigorous attack on the viands.
Bell has also procured a bottle Of
which, by the way, goes down
on the bill as PA Lale, two shillfngs
and six pence! A waiter brings
him some soup, exchanges it for some
apparently raw salmon soused in vine.
gar, which Hal Immediately and EN-.
Dhattcally declines, and is about TO
bring him the next dish, when ne
turns aside to usher in a new and
late arrival. He is a short, thin ind.
vidual, whose face is so covered with
a network Of wrinkles that he may be
ninety. but whose upright bearing
and light step would lead one as read
lily to believe that he was fifty. His
hair which was iron gray, is cut
short TO his head, his mustache is
thick, and white as snow, and his
breast is covered by orders and deco
rations.
Every one looks up and stares, as
everybody invariably does at a new
arrival, and the waiter, with mucn
fussy empressement, makes room to
place chair next to Bell, and re.
quests to know, in an audible voice il
his Exceilency, Count Mikoff, will
partake of any soup?"
His excellency, with a comprehen-
sive bow to the company, seats him.
self, wipes his mustache with nap
kin, displaying hand almost white,
and then falls to at the soup.
IF his excellency is a Russian he
ought to enjoy that SOUP" whispers
Hal; there's plenty of grease in it.
Bell looks tiD'id prayer for 81,
lenee, and the dinner proceeds.
Bells right. Processes and that
kind of a thing, grow like blackber.
ries in this country" thinks Hal. "A