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


worked havoc with well nigh every
maa there. His eye caught the self.
satisfied smile of the citybred Craig
Taylor. whose recent friendship with
Phoebe had filed Jonathan with mad
dening jealousy.
"Oh. hello. Phoebe" said Craig.
stepping up to them and nodding
slightly TO Jonathan. Then as he
lightly paid Phoebe a pretty compIl.
ment Jonathan was no longer able
to disguise his i'll temper So Phoebe.
with no other thought than to tease
Jonathan. smiled adorably at Craig.
But when the last dance camo anq
the lights had begun to burn low ard
lesser beauties than Phoebe had be-
gun to droop. Jonathan's spirits be,
gan to rise in anticipation Of the joy
of seeing Phoebe home He had taken
his buggy from the shed and stood
waiting for her. when all at once he
heard her laugh and at the same in
slant realized that she was with
Craig Taylor, getting into Craig Tay.
lor's buggy.
Hello. Jonathan" called one Of
the men, with laugh. Thought You
were going to take Phoebe home"
One of the girls suppressed gig.
gle and for a minute Jonathan had
a great desire to fight every one. His
next thought was of overtaAing Craig.
laying him fiat and carrying Of the
girl he loved. Instead, jonathan
slowly swung into his buggy and
drove thoughtfully through the trisp
morning air.
1t was a few days later. on Sun.
day afternoon. and Jonathan again
sat in the little Dare paror. before
Phoebe, who, as usual. sat upright
on the hair sofa. He had not seen
her since the memorable dance and
Phoebe expected to be scolded.
Il say, Phoebe" Jonathan said at
length. perhaps you'd like to go out
sleighing with me-out to the lake.
It's great sleighing"
Phoebe accepted readily and with
out further delay Jonathan was ready
with his horse and sleigh. with heated
bricks and heavy wraps to keep out
the cold winds.
II Phoebe was radiant at a dance
when the music and motion had
brought the color to her face and the
light to her eyes, she was even more
so in sleigh when the fresh, cold
wind and the sound OF the sleigh
bells seemed somehow to work won
ders
1t was long drive. but Jonathan's
spirits did not lag. and as they
neared the shore of the lake, bleak
| and deserted. with not sign OF NOR
tai for miles around. he could feel
the girl at his side shrinking toward
him helplessly.
MY. but this is a lonely spot in
winter" she said Would you ever
think 1t could be so nice in summer"
81 don't know. Phoebe" said iona.
than. smiling. Let's get out and
walk about a rainute TO get up the
circulation. You seem bit cold "
So Phoebe, accepting the sugges-
ton, got out from the sleigh. and, as
she turned about for Jonathan to fol.
low, she saw him quickly whip UP
his horse. and. turning as sharp a
corner as the sleigh would allow, no
drove away from her
Jonathan, Jonathan" she called
| in tones that were unavailing.
On he drove with the distracted
girl running and crying after him.
At length, after he had gone half y
mile through the snow. he stopped
and. with a grim smile on his face.
watched the girl plod through the
snow after him.
Jonathan" she walled when she
had reached him, Jonathan. what.
ever are you doing?"
We'll. guess" said Jonathan with
deliberation. you can find some one
else to take you home You'd hardlJ
expect me TO. after the dance at
Kingsley's. would you. seeing it's not
your custom TO go home with the
man that brings you?"
Phoebe was in tears--tears of re.
morse and hurt pride. not of anger
and when a minute later Jonathan
had seized her in his arms and put
her ger''y in the sleigh at his side
she chung trembling TO his arm.
Jonathan" she said. after they
had driven through the snow for
few minutes Jonathan. I'm sorry.
Jonathan made no reply.
Jonathan" she said again plead
ingly. jonathan. did you win that
wager"
There wasn't any wager" said
Jonathan THAT was lie I told you
about the wager"
"Then-then you didn't propose to
me just 70 'cinch the matter?'" she
asked.
NO" said Jonathan u proposed
because / had notion OF marrying
you"
And this time Phoebe accepted