Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-10-11


Asked Ninian.
swell, now" said Dwight Herbert
when it was finished, somebody dance
on the table"
"Dwightie ~
got to amuse ourselves somehow.
Come, liven up. They'll begin to read
the funeral service over u.s."
"Why not say the wedding service?"
asked Ninian.
In the mention Of wedlock there
was always something stimulating to
Dwight, something of overwhelming
humor. He shouted a derisive en-
dorsement of this proposal.
Il shouldn't object" said Ninian
SHOULD you, Miss Lulu?"
Lulu now burned the slow red Of
her torture They were all looking
at her. She made an anguished effort
to defend herself.
Il don't know it," she said, $50
can't say It,"
Ninian leaned toward her.
II, Ninian. take thee, Lulu. to be
my welded wife," he pronounced.
That's the way IL goes!"
Lulu daren't say ii I" cried Dwight.
He laughed so loudly that those at
the near tables turned. And. from
the fastness of her wifehood and moth
erhood Ina laughed. Really, 1t was
ridiculous to a think of Lulu that
way -.
Ninian laughed, too. Course she
don't dare say It," he challenged.
From within Lulu, that strange
Lulu, that other Lulu who sometimes
fought her battles, suddenly spoke
out:
Il, Lulu, take thee. Ninian, to be
my welded husband"
you will?" Ninian cried.
Il WILL" she said. laughing tremu-
lousy, to prove that she, too, could
join In, could be as merry as the rest.
"And l will. There, by Jove, now
have we entertained you, or haven't
we?'' Ninian laughed and pounded his
soft fist on the table.
"Oh, say, honestly" Ina was
shocked. 81 don't think you ought
to-holy things-what's the matter
Dwightieg
Dwight Herbert Deacon's eyes were
staring and his face was scarlet.
"Say, by George" he said. "a civil
wedding is binding in this state"
"A civil wedding? Oh, we'll" MIN
ian dismissed it.
'But l." said Dwight, "happen to
be magistrate"
They looked at one another fool
ishly. Dwight sprang up with the in
determinate idea Of inquiring some
thing of some one, circled about and
returned. Ina had taken his chair
and sat clasping Lulu's hand Ninian
continued to laugh.
II never saw one done so offhand,"
said Dwight. But what you've said
Is all you have TO say according to
law. And there don't have to be wit
nesses sayl'' he said. and sat
down again.
Above that shroud-Iike plated lace.
the veins of Lulu's throat showed dark
as she swallowed, cleared her throat,
swallowed again.
Don't you let Dwight scare you,"
she besought Nlnian.
Scare mel" cried Ninian. "Why.
think it's good job done IL you ask
me-"
Lulu's eyes few to his face. AS he
laughed, he was looking at her. and
now he nodded and shut and opened
his eyes several times very fast. Their
points of light fiickered With a pang
Of wonder which pierced her and left
her shaken, Lulu looked His eyes
continued to meet her own. 1t was
exactly like looking at his photograph.
Dwight had recovered his authentic
air.
"oh, WELL" he said. I'VE can inquire
at our leisure. If II is necessary,
should say we can have 1t set aside
quietly up here in the city-no oneTl
be the WISER
"Set aside nothingI' said Ninian.
I'D like to see 1t stand"
"Are you serious, Mini"
Sure I'm serious"
Ina jerked gently at her sisters
arm
"Iulul You hear him? What you
going to say to thatg"
Lulu shook her head. HE Isn't IN
earnest she said.
II am in earnest-hope to die" Mn
ian declared He was on two legs Of
his chair snd was slightly fitting, so
that the effect of his earnestness was
Impaired. But he was obviously In
earnest.
tie be eonttnued)