Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-08-16
TWO RAINY DAYS
By MOLLY McMASTER


'ciated Literary PressD
his presence and on the last night
Nadine had worn a cluster of his
roses.
During the winter Vale went to
every variety theater In New York
with the hope that he would again see
the girl who haunted his thoughts.
One day in early spring Vale start.
ed out for his Sunday morning walk
AS he neared Forty-second street
fine rain began to fall.
Rather than return to his apart
ments Vale decided to go up the two
blocks and attend service at a Fifth
avenue church.
He took q seat near the back Of the
church. The only other occupant OF
the pew was a little old lady who.
during the service, fumbled first with
her chains and then with her rings
until finally one of the latter rolled to
the floor
Vale stopped to look for It.
1T has escaped. my reach" he whis-
service"
During the offertory anthem a rich
contralto voice fioated out over tie
big church.
Vale started. The voice was familiar
yet not familiar; IL held the same In
tense timber as the voice of Nadine.
but these tones came forth with the
control OF a master.
From music hall to soloist In one
Of the best churches in the city is
big jump" thought Vale, besides. 1t
takes money to study for this kind Of
work"
He strained his eyes to get q
glimpse of the singer, but it was no
use. The rows of girls on each side
of the chancel seemed to be identical.
one with the other
During the remainder Of the service
Robert Vale was back at the seaside
and dreaming of a girl who had sung
in the guise of gypsy.
When the church was emptying he
remembered his duty toward his com
panion in the pew. He must search
for her ring.
In the semi-daTkness of the church
it was not an easy task and Vale was
down on his hands and knees in a far
corner of the church when he heard
a musical voice
"Granny-what in the world are you
doing in this dark church, thought
you were lost!"
II dropped my ring. This gentle
man"
Wales head bobbed up from behind
a seat. flushed but victorious.
"Oh-hi" Diana Wells started;
then. upon searching the mans face
from beneath her wide dropping hat.
a swift color mounted her cheeks.
MY name is Robert Vale" he said
| quickly to cover the confusion which
he knew was hers. He could never
mistake those fathomless gray eyes.
| though them seemed even more dark
| and mysterious. He supposed II was
the different setting Her hair was
deep Titan and the gipsy's had been
| inky black. Here is your ring. be
turned toward the little old woman.
Thank you," she said simply. My
name is Wells. This is my grand
| daughter, Diana" She looked loving
| ly at the girl. Diana travelled all
| last summer with a variety company
so she could take her old granny to
the seaside"
Diana met Wales eyes with smile
Granny thinks | am a wonder be-
cause l took her TO all the seaside re
sorts and gave myself equal pleas
ure."
mot to speak of those who heard
you," put In Vale with half inquir
ing glance.
"You knew me them"
She hid from the expression in hi,
eyes. THE roses were lovely" sht
said finally. 81 asked the usher who
had sent them"
They turned and went slowly out o.
the church, but before they passed
out through the big bronze doors VaiF
drew near Diana Wells.
IF one of the choristers should bt
married in this church what would
they do about filling her place for the
wedding chorus?"
They would have to get suosti
tute soprano" said Diana Wells.
1T would be contralto In TINS
case" confided Vale.