Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-09-20

toward the house. He managed to
make the job last over so that he could
return in the afternoon. He was not
conscious of planning this, but 1t was
in some manner contrived for him by
forces OF his own with which he
seemed to be cooperating without his
conscious will. Continually he glanced
toward the house.
These glances Lulu saw. She was a
woman Of thirty-four and Di and
Bobby were eighteen, but Lulu felt for
them no adult indulgence. She felt
that sweetness of attention which we
bestow upon May robins. She felt
more.
She cut fresh cake, filled plate
called TO Di. saying: Take some out
TO that Bobby Larkin. why don't your"
1t was Lulu's way of participating.
II was her vicarious thrill.
After supper Dwight and Ina took
their books and departed to the Chau-
tauqua circle. To these meetings Lulu
never went The reason seemed to be
that she never went anywhere
When they were gone Lulu felt an
instant liberation. She turned aim
,lessly to the garden and dug round
things with her finger. And she
thought about the brightness OF that
ChautauQua scene to which Ina and
Dwight had gone. Lulu thought about
such gatherings in somewhat the way
that futurist receives the subjects
of his art-forms not vague, but
heightened to intoIerable definiteness,
acute color. and always motion-mo-
ton as an integral part Of the desir-
able. But a factor OF all was that
Lulu herself was the participant, not
the onlooker. The perfection of her
dream was not impaired by any long
ing. She had her dream as a saint her
sense of heaven
"Lulie" her mother called. You
come out of that damp"
She obeyed, as she had obeyed that
voice all her life. But she took one
last look down the dim street. She
had not known 1t. but superimposed
on her Chautauqua thoughts had been
her faint hope that 1t would be to-
night. while she was in the garden
alone. that Ninian Deacon would ar
rive. And she had on her wool chally.
her coral beads, her cameo pin.
She went into the lighted dining
room. Monona was in bed. Di was
not there Mrs. Bett was in Dwight
Herbert's leather chair and she lolled
at her ease. 1t was strange to see this
woman, usually so erect and tense
now actually lolling. as IL lolling were
the positive the vital, and her ordi-
nary rigidity a negation of her. In
some corresponding orgy of leisure
and liberation, Lulu sat down with no
needle.
"Inie ought to make over her de-
laine." Mrs. Bet comfortably began
They talked of this, devised a mode
recalled other delaines. Dear, dear"
said Mrs. Bett, q had on delaine
when 1 met your father" She de-
scribed 1t. Both women talked freely
with animation. They were individuals
and alive To the two pallid beings
accessory to the Deacons' presence,
Mrs. Bett and her daughter Lulu now
bore no relationship. They emerged
had opinions, contradicted, their eyes
were bright.
Toward nine o'clock Mrs. Bett an
nounced that she thought sh7 should
have a lunch This was debauchery.
She brought in bread and butter, and
A dish Of eoid canned ppas She wa q
committing all the excuses that she
knew-onering opinions, laughing, eat
ing. 1t was to be seen that this won
an had an immense store Of vitality,
perpetuaily submerged.
When she had eaten she grew sleepy
rather cross at the last and inclined
to hold up her sisters exeellencies TO
Lulu; and at Lulu's defense lifted an
ancient weapon.