Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-12-06

Odck mere.
"All right. d." said Lulu humbIy.
II was nearly six o'clock when they
arrived at the Deacons'. Mrs Bet
stood on the porch, her hands rolled
in her apron.
Surprise for youi" she called
brightly.
Before they had reached the door
Ina bounded from the hall
"Darlingr
She seized upon d. kissed her
loudly. drew back from her, saw the
travelling bag.
my new bagl" she cried. "Di
What have you got that forY
j In any embarrassment DIS instinc-
tive defense was hearty laughter. She
now laughed heartily. kissed her
mother again, and ran up the stairs.
Lulu slipped by her sister. and into
the kitchen.
Dwight had come home. Lulu could
hear Ina pouring out to him the mys-
terious circumstance Of the bag, could
hear the exaggerated air of the
casual with which he always received
the excitement of another. and espe-
cially of his Ina. Then she heard
Ina's feet padding up the stairs, and
after that DIS shrill, nervous laugh
| ter. Lulu felt pang of pity for Di.
as If she herself were about to face
them.
There was not time both to pre-
pare supper and to change the blue
cotton dress In that dress Lulu was
pouring water when Dwight entered
the dining room
"Ahl" said he. "Our festive ball
gown"
She gave him her hand, with her
peculiar sweetness of expression
almost as If she were sorry for him
or were bidding him good-by
"That shows who you dress for -
he cried You dress for me. Ina.
aren't You jealousf Lulu dresses for
| me %
Ina had come in with Di. and both
were excited, and Ina's head was NOV
ing stitfly. as in all her indignations.
Mrs. Bett had thought better OF ii and
had given her presence Already Mo-
mona was singing.
But no one noticed MonOna. and Ina
did not defer even to Dwight. She.
who measured delicate, troy occasions
by avoirdupols, said brightly:
mo, Di. You must tell us all about
4 1t. Where had you and Aunt Lulu
been with mammals new bagT"
Ina" said Lulu. first can't we
hear something about your visit7
How is"
| Her eyes consulted Dwight. His
features dropped, the lines of his face
| dropped, its muscles seemed to sag.
A look of suffering was In his eyes.
"Shell never be any better" he
said Il know we've said good-by to
her for the last time"
"Oh Dwight said Lulu.
'She knew II, too" he said. 1T
II put me out of business. can tell
you. She gave me my start-she took
all the care of me--taught me to
read-she's the only mother / ever
nv" AAt SltHRCAs VDttFeQ HIS
eyes wide on account of their dimness.
But eventually they were back
again before that new black bag. And
Di would say nothing. She laughed,
squirmed, grew irritable. laughed
again.
Put an end to this, Lulu" he com
handed Where were you two
since you make such mystery?"
DIS look at Lulu was piteous, ter
rified. DIS fear of her father was
now clear to Lulu. And Lulu feared
him, too. Abruptly she heard her
self temporizing, for the moment
making common cause with Dl.
oh" she said. I'VE have a little
secret Can't we have a secret II we
want one7"
Upon my word" Dwight comment
ed, "she has beautiful secret |
don't know about your secrets. Lulu. F"
Every time that he did this. that
fleet lifted look of Lulu's seemed TO
| bleed
I'm glad for my dinner" remarked
Monona at last please excuse me +"
On that they all rose. Lulu stayed in
the kitchen and did her best to make
| her tasks indefinitely last. She had
nearly finished when Dl burst in.
Amt Lulu, Aunt Lulur' she cried
Come in there-cOme. can't stand
II, What am going to do?"
"Di. dear said Lulu. Tell your
| mother-ynu must tell her"
"Shel cry" hi sobbed. "Then
she'll tell papa-and he'll never stop
talking about it, know him-every
day he'll keep it going, After he
scolds me it'll be Joke for months.
I'll die-rn die. Aunt Lulu"
lna's voice sounded in the kitchen.
What are you two whispering about ?
[ declare. mammals hurt, Di, at the
way you're acting :"
Let's go oGt on the porch" said
| Lulu, and When hi would have
escaped, ina drew her with them.
II was a warm dusk, moonleSs, wind
less. Tie sounds OF the village
street came in--laughter. touch al
piano, a Ginning clock. Light.
starred and quickened in the blurred
houses. Footsteps echoed on the
board walks. The gate opened The
gloom yielded up Cornish.
Lulu was Unfortunately glad to Sc,
him To have the strain of the time