Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-21
CHAPTER XVII.

Winter relaxed its clutch slowly that
year. March was bitterly cold; even
April found the roads still frozen and
the hedgerows clustered with ice. But
at midday there was spring in the air.
In the courtyard of the hospital, con-
valescents sat on the benches and
watched for robins The fountain,
which had frozen out, was being re-
paired. Here and there on ward win
dow sills tulips opened their gaudy
petals to the sun.
Harriet had gone abroad for a flying
trip in March, and came back laden
with new ideas. model gowns, ana
fresh enthusiasm. Grace Irving, hav-
ing made good during the white sales,
had been sent to the spring cOttOns
She began to walk with her head high
err The day she sold Sidney material
for a simple white gown she was very
happy. On Sidney, on X. and on
Christine the winter had left its mark
heavily. Christine, readiusting her
life to new conditions. was graver
more thoughtful. She was alone most
of the time now. Under ks guidance,
she had given up the Duchess" and
was reading real books She was
thinking real thoughts, too, for the
first time in her life.
Sidney. as tender as ever, had lost
a little of the radiance from her eyes I:
her voice had deepened. Where she
had been a pretty girl. she was now
lovely. She was back in the hospital
again, this time in the children's ward.
X, going in one day to take Johnny
Resented a basket of fruit, saw her
there with child in her arms. and
light in her eyes that he had never
seen before. II hurt him, rather
things being as they were with him.
When he came out he looked straight
ahead.
X. had fallen into the habit. after
his long walks, of dropping into Chris
tines little psrlor for chat before he
went upstairs Those early spring
days found Harriet Kennedy busy late
In the evenings, and, save for Christine
and r., the house was practically de-
serted.
The breach between Palmer and
Christine was steadily widening. She
was too proud TO ask him 10 spend
more of his evenings with her. On
those occasions when he voluntarily
stayed at home with her, he was SO
discontinued that he drove her almost
to distraction. Although she was con
WINGED that he was seeing nothing of
the girl who had been with him the
night of the accident, she did not trust
him. Not that girl, perhaps. but there
were others. There would always be
others.
Into Christine's little parlor, then.
X. turned. one spring evening. She
was reading by the lamp, and the door
into the hall stood open. The little
room always cheered X. Its warmth
and light appealed 10 his esthetic
sense; after the baroness Of his bed
room, il spelled luxury And perhaps,
to be entirely frank, her evident pleas
nre in his society gratified him. Chris
tines small coquetries were not lost on
him. The evenings with her did some
thing to reinstate him in his own self
esteem. 1t was subtle. psychological.
but also il was very human.
Come and sit down" said Christine.
Here's chair, and here are ciga-
rettes and there are matches. Now :"
Behind him, Christine stood watch
ing his head in the light of the desk
lamp. What strong. quiet face it
IS she thought. Why did she get the
Of such tremendous re-
serve power in this man who was a
clerk, and clerk oniyE Behind him
she made q quick. UNCONSCIOUS gesture
II appeal. both hands out for an in +
slant She dropped them guilty as .
K. turned 10 her.
Il wonder If you know, B.. she said, |
what lucky woman the woman will .
be who marries your
He laughed good-humoredly.
Il wonder how long I could hypno- (
lze her into thinking that"
I've had time to do a little think.
ng lately" she said, without bitter
less. Palmer is away so much now.
we been looking back, wondering IL / /
.ver thought that about him. don't
satfoyp I Qyar dfa I urnrTora