Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-10-26

the adjoining side of the parallelo-
gram, back toward her, the redoubt-
able Kerr was standing She recog.
nized him on the instant, as if he
were the most familiar figure in her
life. Yet she was more surprised to
see him here than she had been to see
Harry. She felt inclined to rub her
eyes. 1t took a moment for her to
realize that his companion was indeed
Mai. Purdie.
The major had recognized his wife's
signaling umbrella. Now he turned
toward it, but Kerr. with a quick mo-
ton of hand toward hat. turned In the
opposite direction. In her mind Flora
was with the major who ran after
him. The two men stood for little,
expostulatiRg. Then both walked to-
ward the landau and the linen UNI
brella.
The carriage group waited watch
ing with tagging conversation, which
finally fell into silence. But the two
approaching strolled easily and talked
Even in cold daylight Kerr still gave
Flora the impression that the open
was not big enough to hold him, but
she saw a difference In his mood,
graver eye, a colder mouth and when
he finally greeted them, manner that
was brusk. 1t showed unciyil beside
the majors urbanity,
The major was glad, very glad, to
see them all. He was evidently also
little nurried. He seemed to know
they had all met Kerr before Had it
been at the moment of his attempted
departure that Kerr had told him,
Flora wondered? And had he given
them as his excuse for going away?
1t hurt her; though why should she be
hurt because a stranger had not
wanted 80 cross the paradeground to
shake hands with her? He was less
interested in her than he was in Har-
ry at whom he had looked keenly.
But Harry's nervousness had left
him, now that Purdie was within his
reach. He returned the glance indlf-
ferently. He stood close to the major
his hand on his shoulder The ma
jor, with his bland blue eyes twin
king from Clara to Flora, seemed the
only man ready to devote himself to
the service of the ladies'.
And what's the news from the
front?' said Clara gayly. Kerr gave
gave her a rapid glance; but the ma
jor blinked as if the alIusion had got
by him.
Il mean the mystery--the Chat
worth ring she explained.
No news whatever. my dear Mrs
Britton."
She smiled. We're all rather in
terested in the mystery. Flora has
made a dozen romances about II"
"Oh, yes, yes" said the major indul-
gently. 1t will do for young ladies'
to make romances about. tn be a
two days wonder. and then you'll sud
denly find out it's something very
tame indeed"
why. have they fixed the suspic-
ion?" said Clara
There was a restless movement
from Kerr
mo, no, nothing Of that sort" said
the major quickly
Harry passed his hand through his
arm. May I see you for five min
utes. major?"
The excellent major looked har-
assed
Suppose we all step up to the
house," he suggested. Why, you're
not going. man he objected, for
Kerr had fallen back step, and. with
lifted hat and balanced cane, vas sig
mailing his farewells.
DO let us 60 up to the house" said
Clara. And Mrs. Purdie, won't -oa
drive up with me? Flora wants to
walk
Flora stood up. She had a confused
impression that she had expressed no
such desire, and that there was room
for three in the landau; but the men
tai shove that Clara had administered
gave her an impetus that carried her
out OF the carriage before she realized
what she was about.
Harry was already moving OF up
the board wall with the major. The