Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-10-27

young lady. all unconscious OF the
honor which was about TO befall her,
reading a six-hundred-page critique OF
Chopin's music. and calmly munching
chocolates out Of a basket decorated
with eight shades OF silk roses.
sit down and have a chocolate,
Aunt Helen" Hospitality offered Gail.
slipping a marker in her book.
Mrs. Davies consumed a great deal
of time in selecting a chocolate, but
she did not sit down.
Shall you be at liberty this evening.
Gail?" she inquired. with much care
lessness.
"why?" and Gail. whose feet we're
stretched out and crossed. in lazy ease.
looked up at her aunt sidewise from
under her curving lashes.
Mrs. Davies hesitated a moment.
Houston Van Ploon would like to
call"
Are they still downstairs?" Gail
suddenly unveiled her eyes, and
brought her slippers squarely in front
of her divan. Also she sat bolt up
right
Yes" and Mrs. Davies betrayed
signs of nervousness.
Are they making the appointment
for Houston?"
yes" The word drsrled.
Why?" and Calls brown eyes be-
gan 20 crackle.
Mrs. Cavies thought it better to st
down.
MY dear. a great honor has come
to you"
Gail leaned forward towards her
aunt. and tilted her chin.
Houston wants to propose, and he's
sent his father and sister to find out
If he may!" she charged.
YES" acknowledged Mrs. Davies.
driven past the possibility OF delay or
preparation, and feeling herself unjust
ly on the defensive.
Il shall not be at home ehis eve
ming" announced Gail decisively. and
stretched out her feet again. and
crossed her little gray slippers, and
took a chocolate. "Or any other eve
ming" she added.
Mrs. Davies lost her flutter imme-
diately. This was too stupendously
serious matter to be weakly treated
My dear, you don't understand"
she protested, not in anger. but in pa
tient reason. Houston Van Ploon has
been the unattainable match of New
York. He is a gentleman in every par.
ticular, desirable young man in every
respect, and gifted with everything a
young girl would want. He has so
much money that you could buy a
kingdom and be a queen. if you chose
to amuse yourself that way. He has a
dignified old family, which makes mere
! social position seem like an ignomini-
! GUS scramble for cotillion favors; and
it is universally admitted that he is
the most perfect of all the Van Ploons
for many generations. Not exception.
ally clever; but that is one of the rea-
sons the Van Ploons are so particular
to find a suitable matrimonial alliance
for him"
Gail. nibbling daintily at her choco-
late, closed her eyelids for a second,
the long. brown lashes curved down on
her cheeks. and from beneath them
there escaped a sparkle like the snap
of live Goals, while the corners of her
lips twitched in that little smile which
she kept for her own enjoyment.
You cannot appreciate the compli-
ment which has been paid you. Gail.
Every debutante for the past five
years has been most carefully consid-
cred by the Van Ploons, and sincere
| ly believe this to be the first time
they have unanimously agreed on a
choice. 1t is a matter Of eugenics, Gail.
but in addition to that, Mr.. Van Ploon
assures me that Houston is most fer
vently interested"
How careless of Them" criticized
Gail. They have neither asked for
my measurements nor examined my
! teeth"
Call" Her chaperon and sponsor
was both shocked and stern.
II positively decline to even discuss
the Van Ploon eugenics," stated Gail.
pushing aside her chocolates, while a
red spot began to appear. on her
cheeks. Il shall not, as l stated be-
fore, be at home to Houston Van Ploon
this evening--or any other evening""
Il shall not deliver that message"
ann need Mrs. Davies. setting her
lips. "As your present sponsor, shall
insist that you take more time to con.
slider a matter so important"
Il shall insist on refusing to con-
slider it for one second" returned Gail
quietly 81 am very fond of Houston
Van Ploon, and / hope to remain so.
out I wouldn't marry him under any
circumstances. This is firm, fat, and
| final"
Mrs. Helen Davies dropped patient
reason instantly. She was aware of
an impulsive wish that Gail were in
pinafores, and her own child, so she
could box her ears.
Gail, you compel me to lose my pa
tience!" she declared. when you
came, strained every influence |
possessed to have you meet the most
desirable eligibles this big city could
offer, just as if you were my own
daughter! / have succeeded In work
ing miracles! / have given you an
opportunity to interest the very besti
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