Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-11-22

.'We were in Savannah, Georgia."
she said. 1--WE were going TO leave for
Oregon-going to go through Califor-
mia. We were in the hotel. and he
was going out to get the tickets. He
started to go. Then he came back.
was sitting the same as there. He
opened the door again-the same as
here. l saw he looked different-and
he said quick: There's something
you'd ought to know before we GO
And, of course, l said, 'WhatY And he
said it right outflow he was married
eighteen years ago and in two years
she ran away and she must be dead.
but he wasn't sure. He hadn't the
proofs. So, of course, l came home.
But it wasn't him left me-
mo, no. OF course he didn't"
Cornish said earnestly But, Lords
sakes-" he said again. He rose to
walk about, found it impracticable
and sat down.
THAT'S what Dwight don't want me
20 tell-he thinks it isn't true. He
thinks-he didn't have any other wife.
He thinks he wanted" Lulu looked
up at him. "You see." she said,
Dwight thinks he didn't want me-"
But why don't you make your hus-
band-I mean, why doesn't he write
to Mr.. Deacon here, and tell him the
truth" Cornish burst out.
Under this implied belief, she re-
Taxed and into her face came its rare
sweetness.
"He has written" she said. The
letters there"
He followed her look, scowled at the
two letters.
"What'd he say?"
Dwight don't like me to touch his
mail I'll have to wait till he comes
back"
Lord sakes !" said Cornish.
This time he did rise and walk
about. He wanted to say something,
wanted it with passion. He paused
beside Lulu and stammered:
you're too nice girl %
get a deal like this. Darned If you
aren't"
To her own complete surprise Lulu's
eyes filed with tears, and she could
not speak. She was by no means
above self-sympathy.
"And there amt" said Cornish sor-
rowfully, ''there amt thing can
do"
And yet he was doing much. He
was gentle, he was listening, and on
his face frown of concern. His face
continually surprised her, 1t was so
fine and alive and near by comparison
with Ninian's loose-lipped, rudcy, i'm.
personal look and Dwight's thin, high
boned hardness. All the ii G Cornish
gave her something. instead of draw
ing upon her. Above all, he vas there.
and she could talk to him.
"Its-it's funny" Lulu said. I'D
be awful glad if just could know for
sure that the other woman was alive
IF / couldn't know she's dead
This surprising admission Cornish
seemed to understand.
"Sure you would" he said briefly.
"Cora Waters" Lulu said. Cora
Waters. of San Diego, California. And
she never heard of me-"
"No," Cornish admitted. They
stared at each other as across some
abyss.
In the doorway Mrs. Bett appeared.
/ 81 scraped' up everything" she re-
marked, land left the dishes set"
THAT'S right. mamma" Lulu said.
"Come and sit down.
Mrs. Bett entered with leisurely
air of doing the thing next expected
of her.
II don't hear any more playin' and
singin'," she remarked. 1T sounded
real nice"
We've sung all l knew how to
play, guess, mamma"
81 use to play on the melodeon, .
Mrs. Bett volunteered, and spread and
examined her right hand.
well" said Cornish.
She now told them about her log
house in New England clearing,
when she was a bride All her store
of drama and life came from her
She rehearsed 1t With far eyes. She
laughed at old Delights dropped at
old fears. She told about her little
daughter who had died at sixteen-a
tragedy such as once would have been
renewed in a vital ballad. At the end
she yawned frankly as If, in some ter
rible sophistication. she had been tell
ing the story of some one else.
'Give US one more piece" she said
"Can wet" Cornish asked.
81 can play 4 Think When I Read
That Sweet Story Of Old" Lulu said
"That's the ticket" said Cornish.
They sang it. to Luln's right hand.
''That's the one you picked out
when you was little girl, Lulie,"
cried Mrs. Bett.
Lulu had played II now as she must
have played 1t then.
Half after nine and Di had not re-
turned. But nobody thought Of Di.
Cornish rose to 90
"what's them?" Mrs. Bett de-
maDded.
'Dwiehts letters. mammal You
mustn't touch them :" Lulu's voice was
sharp.
"Say :" Cornish. at the door. dropped
his voice IF there was anything
could do at any time, you'd let ma
know. wouldn't your
That past tense, those subjunctives,
unconsciously called upon her to feel
no intrusion