Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-01-18

had few gifts, but this was one OF
them. It failed him. now: and he
wandered back to the ticket-wiHdow.
and. after urgent coaching. eventually
took his place at the end instead Of al
the head of the line that waited there
In his turn he came again to the win
dow, and departed from II after a
conversation with the clerk which left
the latter in unconscious accord with
Aunt Fanny Atwater's commiserating
adjective. though the clerks own pity
was expressed IN argot ''The poor
nutr he explained 10 his next client.
Wants to buy a ticket on train
that don't pun out till ten thirty-five
tonight; and me film 1t all out.
stampin' It and everything, what for !
Turned out all his pockets and
couldn't come nearer'n eight dollars
short o. the pricel Where you want ,
to go?"
Noble went back to his bench and
sat there for long time. though there
was no time long or short for him
He was not yet consciously suffering
greatly: nor was he thinking at all.
True. he had dim, persistent impulse
to action-or else why should he be
at the station?-but for the clearest
expression Of hts condition II is neces-
sary to borrow a culinary symbol; ne
was Telling. The state of shock was
slowly dispensing while a perception
of anguish as slowly increased He
was beginning to swallow nothing at
intervals, and the intervals were grow
ing shorter.
Dusk was misting down. outdoors.
when with dragging steps he came out
of the station. He looked hazily up
and down the street. where the corner
lamps and shOp-windows now were
lighted. and, after dreary hesitation.
he went in search of a pawn-shop. and
found one. The old man who operated
II must have been a philanthropist. for
Noble was so fortunate as to secure
loan of nine dollars upon his watc
Surprised at this, he returned 70 u
station, and went back TO the sane
bench.
A little after six O'Clock a changing
and commotiOn i'm the train-shed out
side. attending the arrival of
Through express" stirred him from
his torpor He walked heavily across
the room to the same ticket-window
he had blocked before, but there was
no queue attached 10 II now. He
rested his elbow ON the apron and his
chin upon his hand and for some mo-
ments the clerk waited until he should
state his wishes. This was new
clerk. who had just relieved the other.
"well. Wellp' he said at last.
"Fll take 1t now" Noble responded,
gently.
"What1l you take now?"
THAT ticket"
"What tieket?''
"The same one I wanted before"
Noble sighed.
The clerk gave him a piercing look,
glanced out of the window and saw
that there were no other clients, then
went to desk at the farther end of
his compartment. and took mp some
clerical work he had in hand
Noble leaned upon the apron of the
window. waiting; and if he thought
anything, he thought the man was
serving him.
The high, resonant room became
clamorous with voices and with the
mingling echoes of footsteps ON the
tiled floor as passengers from the ex-
press hurried to the street, or more
gully struggled through, shouting to
friends who came to greet them; and
among these moving groups there
walked a youthful fine lady noticeabiy
cnlivening TO the dullest eye She was
% eceded by a brisk porter who car
Iietl two travelling bags Of rich sort.
as we'll as sack Of implements for
the game of golf and she was warm
in dark furs. against which the Vastly
clump of violets she wore showed
dewy gleamings of blue.
At sight Of Noble Dill. more than
pensive at the ticket-window, she hest
tated, then stopped and observed him.
Here was coincidence, in mild
way, for. as it happened, she was her
self the most observed person in all
that place. She was yelled In two
wells, but she had been seen in the
train without these, and some of her
though strangers to
her, were walking near her In hypo-
critical way hoping still not to lose
sight of her, even yelled. And although
the Surroundings permitted the most
meager information of her features,
what they did reveal was harmfully
piquant; moreover, there was sweet
ness to the figure, a disturbing grace;
and nothing DISCUSSES such an air Of
wearing that many violets as daily
perquisite and matter of course.
1t was Julia's fortune Though her
father had other ideas concerning the
matter) to be the possessor of per-
sonality distinctly pleasing to the
masculine eye, and of this the fair
Julia was probably aware In any
event she was quite conscious of the
stir which her passage through the
throng created.
To be continued
First publication January IL, 1872
Order limiting time and notice.
PROBATE NOTICE
STATE OF WISCONSIN,, COUNTY COURT.