Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-03-22
When the Hare Won
By M. DIBBELL

thing apparently was at skies and sew
ems
Finally she said, well, since Fred
eric says the magazine is the best
paying investment he has ever had he
cannot be losing money even II he is
printing your stories. People must
like them or they would not read
them"
Frederic himself had presented this
view of the subject to Ruth, but she
was too angry to hear reason from
any one; and now with the reckless
abandon of youth she promptly put all
her remaining manuscripts in the fire.
For four years Frederic Mortimer
had been trying to win Ruth Harri-
sons promise TO become his wife, but
her reply was ever the same-that she
wanted to have her own share IN the
battle of life, not become merely an
onlooker
The incident of the stories was only
half as bad as Ruth considered it, for
unless they had been worth printing
they never would have been published
in Up-to-Date Romance. even with
Frederic's influence.
II took time and patience for him to
make his peace with the offended
young "oman, but before many weeks
they were apparently on their usual
terms-all a lovers devotion on Fred
cries part, friendship on Ruths.
Not long after Ruths sad fall from
the pinnacle of fame a cousin of Fred
eric Mortimer's arrived to spend the
summer with him. This was the
cousins first trip east. for he had been
born and reared on big ranch in Cal
ifornia.
From their first meeting there
seemed a mutual attraction between
Ruth Harrison and Guy Atkinson.
Guy Atkinson had heard of his
cousins love for Ruth, for Frederic
could not keep some mention of her
out Of his letters and the cousins had
correspondent for years. He was pre-
pared to admire her as Frederic's
sweetheart. with no thought OF danger
to himself
There were many picnics and other
social gatherings during that summer
and Ruth often met the Californian.
Toward the end of the season a
party Of young people planned for
sail down the river; the party to have
picnic supper on a small island
which was a favorite resort for such
affairs, and take the homeward sail
by moonlight. The program was car
ried out perfectly until the point of
getting supper on the island Here
some of the number wanted to make
fire to boil the kettle for pot of tea.
They all set to work collecting sticks
and soon had merry blaze.
Ruth and Guy were left to tend the
fire while the other were busy spread
ing their repRst on a convenient knoll.
After a few moments Ruth. with the
impotence of youth. bent over the fire
to see if the kettle was heating as
rapidly as it should. Suddenly, the
hem of her dress touched an outlying
brand and at once blazed up. Guy was
few feet away and saw the accident.
Tearing off his coat he quickly wrap
ped It about her, and in few seconds
the fame was mothered. He had fall
len to his knees to reach her flaming
skirt, and now looked up into her
white face.
Darling, you are safe" he said
simply-then he realized the term he
had used and a slow flush spread over
his face 1t was matched by the scar
let of Ruth's own.
He rose to his feet and their friends
came rushing up. Guy donned his
slightly scorched coat and Ruth's
friends assisted her to make repairs.
The girl herself felt as If she were
in a dream. and both she and Guy
Atkinson were unusually quiet and
subdued for the remainder of the
evening.
The next morning Ruth received an
early call from the Californian. She
was wandering about the beautiful
rose garden which was the pride OF
her fathers heart when Guy found
her
miss Harrison. wish to apologize
for speaking as l did to you. | have
known all along that you were to be
come Frederic's wife and l did not
know until saw your danger how ]
loved you. Forgive mel wish you
and Frederic every Joy.
For a moment Ruth did not answer,
then she said slowly: Il shall never
marry your cousin. do not care for
him except as a friend" She hest.
tated. Il. too. made discovery yes
terday."
Poor Frederic was forgotten by
them both; the light of hope and hap
piuess came into Guys eye. while he
asked, trying to speak calmly:
Can 1 dare to ask what that discov
cry was?"
Ruth lifted her gaze to his without
any of her old timidity-and the an
swer must have been in her eyes. for
she spoke no word.