Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-12-07

her back and waited a moment or
two, stiil hoping he might pass her
by. Then she heard his voice be.
hind her:
We'll. this is luck"
She was conscious of giving him n
limp hand. He sat down on the vacant
stool next her. laughing.
You are a most remarkably fast
walker" he observed.
i had to buy a veil Flora muir
INJURED.
Has it taken you all the morn
ing?"
She could see she had not fooled
him.
q had a great many other things
to do" She was resolved not to ad.
init anything.
No doubt. but wanted to see you
very much last night, and again this
morning, may see you this even.
ing, perhaps?" He was grave now
She saw that he awaited her answer
in anxiety.
But" she hesitated just a mo-
ment too long before she added, I'm
going out this evening"
She started nervously TO rise.
Wait" he said in voice that was
audible to the shopgirl, your pack
age has not come"
She looked at him helplessly. so at.
tractive and so inimical to her He
swung around, back TO the counter,
and lowered his voice Did you know
l called upon you yesterday morning,
also?" he asked
She nodded
Mr.. Cressy and waited for you to-
gether. Did he mention it to your"
No" Her lips let the word out
slowly.
That's a reticent friend of yours!"
The exclamation, and the truth of it,
put her on her guard
Il can't discuss him with you" she
said coldly.
yet no doubt you have discussed
me with him."
"Neveri"
You haven't told him anything?H
The incredulity, the amazement of his
face put before her. for the first time
how extraordinary her conduct must
seem. What could he think Of her!
What construction would he put upon
it? She blushed neck to forehead
and her voice was scarcely audible as
she answered mo"
But at that small word his whole mood
warmed to her. why. then" he be.
gan eagerly, IF Greasy doesn't
know"
ooh. but he" Flora stopped in ter.
ror of herself. 81 can't talk OF him
l must not. Don't ask met" she Inn
plored, "and please, please don't come
to my house againl"
He gave his head puzzled, i'm
patient shake. Then where am to
see your"
I'm a few days-perhaps tomorrow
II will let you know" She rose. She
had her package now She was get
ting back her courage There was nc
further way of keeping her.
But he followed her closely through
the crowd to the door Yes" he said
quickly under his breath, "in a few
days, perhaps tomorrow. as soon as
you get rid Of IL. you won't mind meet
ing mel What are you afraid of.
Surely not of me?"
She was, but holly denied IL.
81 am not afraid Of you. an
afraid OF them!"
"Of theml" He peered at her
What are you talking about now?"
All, she had said too muchl She
bit her lip. They had reached the
corner. and the gliding cable car was
approaching She turned to him with
a last appeal.
Don't ask me anything. Don't
come with me! Don't follow me-"
Not until she was safely inside the
car did she dare look back at him
He was still on the corner. and he
raised his hat and smiled so reassur
ingly that she was halfway home be
fore she realized that in spite of all
she had urged upon him, he had not
committed himself TO any promise
And yet, she thought in dismay. he
had almost made her give away Har
rvs confidence. She VAS seeing more
and moi clearly that this was the
danger OF meeting him. He always
got something out of her and never
BY chance. gave her anything in re
turn. II he should seek her tonight
she dared not be at home! Any place
would be safer than her own house,
II would be better to fulfill her en-.
gagement and go TO inc reception with
Clara and Harry. That was a house
Kerr did not know.
II was awkward to have to an
nounce this sudden change Of plan aft.
er her pretenses of the morning, but
of late she had lived too constantly
with danger for Clara's upiifted eye
brows to daunt her. The mere trivial
act OF being dressed each day was
fraught with danger. To get the sap
phire off her person before Marrika
should appear; TO put it back some
how after Marrika had done; TO SHIFT
II from one place to another as she
wore gowns cut high or low-and
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NJ, Morbof +