Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-05-25


he. De very likely 10 discover later
that he had been the man
of her choice. instead Of her being
the woman of his? And would that
make for happiness for either? There
was nothing for her to do but jump
right back into that brshl
That evening Philip came TO call
and departed vainly trying to recall
what he could possibly have done to
so change Anne toward him. Not
once had she responded TO word or
look of his In her usual bright, SYM
pathetically interested way. And
when her father appeared after his
office hours she excused herself and
said she was going to retire. So IL
happened the next time-and again.
Now the cooler Anne grew toward
Philip the more desirable she became
10 him, but try as he would he could
make no progress toward finding the
cause of her new Indifference. De-
MED even the satisfaction of his in
stinctive social qualities, Utard turned
more often to Susan Belden for COM
partnership and the oftener he did the
more persistently his thoughts were
occupied with Anne.
II was a cold, suIlen February Sun
day afternoon when 1t came to Philip
that he could stand this state of af-
fairs no longer, and he set out for the
Tyson home, determined to corner
Anne and get the truth from her IL
possible.
From her window Anne caught sight
of Philip as he toiled up the hill
against the bitter north wind In an
instant she was into her fur coat and
tam and running down the back stairs.
In the kitchen she successfully lodged
the vast bulk Of Lucinda, who couldn't
see mo sense nohow' in going out on
such a day-and was on her way
down the back road, which led straight
out into the open country, at the mo-
ment when Philip rang the bell.
Lucinda, with wave of her pudgy
black hand, PORTED out the direction
Of Anne's fight, disclalming with a
shake of her woody head any respon-
sibility for ''sech foolishness." There
was grim, do-or-dle look about Phil
ip as he snugged his ~oat collar about
his neck and set out I'm pursuit.
Anne looked back from the first rise
In the road and saw Philip striding
across the back yard. AS she recon
notered again from the summit of the
second rise he was just topping 'lse
first. The wind whipped her short
walking skirt tight against her legs.
1t was hard going 1t began to snow,
fine light flakes, forerunner of real
storm. But to Anne the pursuit had
become a symbol. She had not the
slightest thought Of turning back. If
Philip really wanted TO see her-to be
with her-badly enough not to give up
in spite of anything-well. she would
test him to the utmost OF her strength.
And philIp-it seemed to him that
his very life depended on overtaking
that light figure flying before him into
the teeth of the storm, even as his
happiness must depend on what was
to transpire at the end of the chase.
He was gaining fast. The snow
uttHdNa Athit > taNos anu lAAN btNc ~
the wind sent tears coursing down
her cheeks; but still she managed.
somehow, to keep putting one foot
ahead of the other. He was almost
up to her Her strength was gone.
But surely she could take orc more
step. And then-sha vanished from
the sight of the man behind her as
though the earth had swallowed her.
There was an excavation-sOme road
work going on and the light timber
barrier had been blown away by the
wind. Unhurt, but exhausted,
Anne lay where she fell. But a strong
arm lifted her and held her tight. and
Phil's voice said: Il was prepared to
follow you to the ends Of the earth,
but not to the center of it. But
we're here. And before we get out
you've got to tell me why you have
frozen me why you have avoided
me; why you ran away from me just
now"
Anne was too tired to lift her head
from that broad shoulder. at was be-
cause" she said-"because / didn't
have an absolute hump"
Phil let 1t so ut that, then. But a
hundred times since, over coffee or
crib, he has tried to find out what
she meant But Anne only laughs.