Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-08-04

through this apartment, they sat down
at small table in an alcove beyond.
We'll" she calculated finally. ''how's
old Hardyport? What brought you
down here, John?"
II came to bring you back" he an
swered soberly.
Quit yer kidding" she broke out
angrily.
You don't like this place. dom
tank it very good place. You come
home TO HardypOrt."
"Lord!" she cried Don't I want
tol Amt ] tired and sick Of this
hole? Wouldn't ! swap this cologne
an musk for a Whit o. the wild roses
an the barberry? Don't want to see
the sun set behind the West Parish
hills and the water all red at high
tide across the marshes? Amt
choked foF breath of air from the
real ocean. for a gust of the east
wind. all sharp and salti
Il can't go. John. l can't got"
81 tank you can CO." he persisted
placidly. what make It you can't?"
II owe money here. to the boss. You
don't understand about 1t. He wouldn't
let me go If l tried"
How much money!" inquired John.
"A lot. It's nearly a hundred dol
lars now"
John Hansen took from his pocket
slim roll of bills. divided II, and
handed her the larger part. AS IL
dazed. the girl took the money and
slipped it into her dress,
you be at the big station in New
York for train at ten o'clock tomor-
row mornin'," john said rising.
When the next afternoon boat from
Boston had made fast at her Hardy
port wharf John Hansen aud Fannie
crossed the gangplank together and
walked slowly up Harbor street.
you don't know how good 1t seems
TO get back" murmured the girl.
"Speed up, Beau" she bahbled, I'm
that empty l could get away with
raw selling platter Let's chase our
selves TO a joint where we can feed
our faces"
They ate supper at a little restau-
rant and then wandered out over the
avenue that skirts the harbor.
The two stood leaning on the bridge
rail, Fannie watching the bathers and
the slow flash of the revolving lamp
in the lighthouse tower on the Point,
but John with his eyes on the girl
Once more he duly studied the
snowy dress, the too abundant frizzed
and curled yellow hair the powder
botched cheeks. the hard lips and the
bold, brilliant eyes.
Then he thought of Christina, and
his heart rose slowly in protest
This tainted. young-old. made-up
creature-what had she In common
with him? Why should he give up for
her the clear-eyed. cleai-sklnned girl
he wanted-the only girl he wanted
on the shores Of the seven seas?
What claim had this brass-tongued
woman upon him?
AYE" he added aloud. "But ban
fool and have to pay"
"What say?" queried Fan.
"Fannie"-he spoke steadily-"yor
an me ban promised four years ago.
When I came In from that trip an
found you gone to New York didn't
follow"
Fannie was gazing at him from I'M
der half-shut eyelids. but made no re-
ply.
John Hansen continued:
"Year ago I know better. but I'll
stow that now. ban older than you.
and I tank my place TO stand between
you an the wind. Now / ban goln'
TO pay"
"You mean" she whispered-"yo
mean--you'll marry me now--after--
in spite of everything|
He nodded silently, and for a few
moments she gazed into his eyes.
"John Hansenw she calculated
finally. You're fooll You're as
big a baby as you were four years
agoi You need some one to take care
of you. I'll marry yOul"
As he opened his mouth she cut OF
his words with a wave of her hand
"I'll marry yOu. yes, on one condl-
ton. That is. that you're not in love
with any other girl. Are your" she
snapped.
IL" began the bewildered
John.
"YOu arel Then. John Hansen, you
can have her. dom: love you. I
don't want you or any other man. You
were sent 10 ne an you've brought
me home an given me back this"
She waved her hand toward the
town and the sea.
you've given me back this I'll
give you back your girl. Now 90 to
her"