Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-03-06

Il wouldn't, III come and find out
for myself. There was Il rustic of
leaves, and Mary Hilton raised her
eyes TO Billy Warren's face.
She did not move, and the child,
with steadily advancing fingers. again
asked: "Shall pinch her. daddy?"
He did not reply. Instead he drew
his hand across his eyes as if I'M
| certain as to the reality. When he did
speak his voice was sadly unsteady.
THANK God! Hereafter / shall al
ways believe in prayer"
Mary looked at LiEl thoughtfully.
''You have been praying, and i am an
answer TO your prayerT In what way,
especially?"
''You have come"
"You wanted met"
"Yes."
'Then why did you not come TO meT
81 want help. could not ask for it
unless as a last resort. offered, il is
different"
"And you think will offer it?"
Judging from your goodness TO the
mountain people. You give comfort to
| them"
THAT is different. They are poor.
| In my humble way, / give help where
it is needed. Years ago took course
| Of training in an eastern hospital. 1t
has stood me in good stead in my life
| here. But my work does not approach
| yours. You are a physician?"
IAN army surgeon, retired on &C.
count of i'll health, which l have re-
gained on the mountain. You know
what that means at this time. l am
ordered to Fort Oglethorpe by the
10Th. That leaves me but two days,
and feared / would have TO ask for
that which l hope will be offered"
"And that isl"
His gesture toward the child was
eloquent. 81 am all she has"
''If do this thing, do you surrender
her entirely or will you claim her
upon your return|
His eyes held hers with an express
sion quickly yelled. Il viii not re-
| turn
Il do not quite understand" she re-
piled slowly. 1--WE are strangers. You
must have friends who would gladly
do this for you"
"Yes, but would choose you from
all the world"
| There was certain controlled emo
! ton in his voice that affected her
strangely, and she rose to her feet.
again l say that l do not under
stand"
"That is natural" He walked the
length of the level in front Of the
cabin and back. upon the eve of a
great Upheaval a man can allow him
self a certain latitude of expression,
especially when he knows It can do no
HARM" he said gravely. Il do not ex-
pect to return. Because ! am con.
WINGED of this, can say to you what
under other circumstances would be
little short of impudence, for, as
you say, we are strangers. But | be-
gan to care for you when you first
came to tie mountain. l want you to
know this, and TO believe it. / could
not let you know before. Ny wife
| do not wish to speak of her. She is
dead. and l offer you not affront when
tell you that love you. 1t is be
cause of this / wish to leave Betty in
your care"
With troubled eyes Mary looked to-
ward the child. II did not imagine
this"
How could you? My effort las
been to keep you from knowing. VIII
you do this for me, now that you do
know? 1t will be ny comfort when
my time Genes, over there" He
turned from her, looking out into the
| limitleSs space. ut will be my COM
fort" re repeated.
"Why are you so sure you will not
return?"
"There would be no incentive, with
Betty cared for"
Then it was that Mary surprised
herself by saying deliberately. 'Mr
Warren, if told you that my inter
| est"
INTEREST I would want something
more than interest" he interrupted
would that not Go for the PRESENT."
''No. 1t must be something more
definite"
For long she hesitated, then snid
steadily. 81 think ii is more than
| interest. I am not sure. But if an
overwhelming anxiety for your safe
return is an evidence of a deeper feel
ing, it is yours"
He took her hand raising 1t to his
lips. an that case. Mary Hilton, God
willing. l will return TO you and
Betty"