Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-10-11

! MS esSod4As seems 70 move re
luetantly in their sockets. and his
head felt very light and empty, ar
though so heavy that he could not lift
1t from the pillow. But he managed
to shift his gaze from the window
until 1t rested upon a mans face-a
guant, impressive brown face ilium.
mated by steady and thoughtful eyes,
flied with that mystic. unshakable
spirit OF fatalism that is the Genius
OF the eastern peoples. The head it.
self stood out with almost startling
distinctness against the background OF
pure white Il was swathed with an
immaculate white turban.
The sick man felt that he recog.
nized this countenance-ha6k known It,
rather. In some vague. half-remember.
ed life before his latest death. The
name He felt his lips move
and that they were thin and glazed
Moistening them with his tongue he
made another attempt to artieulate. A
thin whisper passed them in two
breaths: Ram Nath :"
Hearing this, the dark man started
out OF his abstraction. cast a swift,
pitiful glance at the sick mans face.
and came to hold a tumbler to bis
lips. The liquid. colorless, aerid. and
pungent, slipped into his mouth. and
he had to swallow whether he would
or no. When the final drop disap-
peared. Ram Nath put down the glass,
smiled. laid finger on his lips, and
went on tiptoe from the stateroom.
After awhile the man without an
identity fell asleep. calmly. restfully,
/ In absolute peace. When again he
awakened It was with the knowledge
that he was David Amber. and that a
woman sat beside him.
Sophia
His voice sounded in his own hear.
ing very thin and brittle. The girl
/ turned her gaze upon him swiftly. the
soft smile deepening. the dream4ight
in her eyes burning brighter and more
steady She bent forward, placing over
his wasted hand hand Arm and
warm. strong yet gentle, It's white
ness enhanced by the suggested ira
Gerry Of blue veins beneath the silken
skin, and by the rosy tips of her slen.
der, subtle fingers.
David" she said.
He sighed and remembered HIS
hrows knitted, then smoothed them
selves out; for with memory came the
realization that, since he was there
and she by his side. God was surely in
his heaven. all we'll with the world
How long Sophia7"
Five days, David"
Where 2"
AT sea. David, on a Messageries
boat for Marseilles. Dear !"
He closed his eyes in beatiic con-
tent: David Dear -
Can you listen?"
"Yes sweetheart"
Her voice faltered; she flushed
adorably. You mustn't talk. But I'll
tell you. They refused TO let
us go back to Kuttarpur; an escort
took us across the desert to Nok. you
IN litter. on horseback. There we
took train TO Haidarabad and Ka-
rachi Ram Nath came with us, as
bearer. II being necessary that he too
should leave India. My father and
your man Doggott Joined us at Ka.
rachi, where this steamer touched the
second day"
you understand. now"
Everything, dearest"
"Iabertouche-?"
HE told me nothing. / haven't
seen him since that morning, when,
Just after you were wounded, we
started for Nok He posted off to
Kuttarpur to find my fathe-.
No: It was you who told rne--every,
thlng-in your delirium."
And you forgive--?"
"Forgive!"
He smiled family. THAT photo
graph"
Il had 1t ready to return TO you
that morning. David"
Knowing what It meant to me?"
Knowing what It meant to mo
what It meant TO both Of US. David"
$50 you weren't osended, that
night?"
Il loved you even then, David ]
think must have loved you from that
first day at Nokomis. DO you remem
Der Y
His eyes widened, perplexed. star.
Ing into her grave, dear eyes Then
why did you PRETEND"
With the low. caressing laugh of .
happy child, the girl knelt by the side
Of his berth, and laid her cheek
against his own. "oh, David, my Da-
vid! When do you expect to under
stand the heart Of woman, dear
heart of miner"
Cro BE coNTTNUED)