Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-08-30
CHAPTER vII-continued.

Beware of the military, Ethel-es-
pecially when he's Irish!" she warned
Ethei.
In anotheg moment Miss Willoughby
md Captain Redmond were alone. she
herself seated upon the wide settee.
But the captain, apparently, dared not
trust himself nearer her than the stool
upon which he perched just where he
could not touch her. There had been
time when he and Ethel were undis-
guisedly fond of each other. But now
he was scarcely sure of her senti-
ments toward him.
80, Larry. you've actually come
back at last" she said.
81 wonder If it can seem as long to
you as it does to me-" he unused.
II don't know-perhapsw
do you mind when | saw you last?
Twas at a dance on the river"
"At Marlowe" She had been far
from forgetting that pleasant memory.
'sThen you do remember be cried
with delight. at was my first one
step" he told her.
You ruined my slippers" she re-
minded him, to tease him.
did l? Then it was punishment
that when l came up the second time
wild taxicabs wouldn't drag another
dance from you?"
mo, you were too late" Ethel ex-
planned. She had no wish to be too
hard on him.
Too late! That's the tragedy of the
Irish We're always too somethin'-
too late or too early--too sentimental
or too cynical-too shy or too bold. We
laugh too much and we're too sad.
We're too much in love or not at all.
We're way up or we're way down."
I'm fact. you're IRISH" she interpo-
lated softly.
You sound as if you liked US
rrish." he rejoined.
She gave him an enigmatic look.
Il love you-Irish." she replied.
"'Tis lucky race we arep he told
her. with great enthusiasm.
But tell me-what have you been
doing?" Ethel asked.
''Since spoiled your slippers?" Cap
tain Redmond laughed. He seemed
never to remain long in a serious mood.
"0h, my dear, I've been a long way
from Tipperary-the States India, Ber-
lin, Paris, South America. And ali!
my dear, how lonely I've been!"
You Ionelyw She could not believe
that the mercurial Irishman could ever
long be that.
1--WE been in crowded places and in
empty ones, but always l was alone"
he said with just hint of sadness. In
spite of the gayety that his friends
loved in him, there were many times
when Captain Redmond had to fight
hard TO dispel the Celtic melancholy
that was his natural heritage. But
there. there-tell me about yourself"
he begged.
But Ethel was not ready to do that.
She shrank. from discussing herself
with him.
so you've become great globe
trotter-you who'd never been out of
England" she said, hastily.
"AhI That was different. was poor
Ineh. ne reminded ner.
"Oh-and now?''
'I'm the idle rich" he informed her |
humorously. "An uncle in India fell |
off bis horse. hunting-not very roman |
tic, was it? And they cabled me |
was the sole heir to his vast estates.''
II didn't know you had on uncle in |
India" Ethel commented with some /
surprise.
no more did /. But-God bless
him" the captain said with mock rev.
eTence.
"And why-why have you come
baeky' she inquired slowly.
'tFor the same reason that 1 went
away" he said promptly.
what was that?'
a woman
His soft reply. his serious eyes,
thrilled her. But at the same time she
knew that she must no longer let him
remain in a lovers moOd-she who
would have given anything to hear
that one short month ago.
'You, Larryr She forced a gay
laugh How exciting! Tell me, who
was she?