Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-11-01

moi 10 KISS ner.
They were all on the porch that
evening. when Lulu came downstairs.
"Where are you going?' Ina de-
manded. sisterly. And on hearing that
Lulu had an errsnd. added still more
sisterly; well, but mercy, what you
so dressed up for?"
Lulu was in thin black and white
gown which they had never seen, and
wore the fitting hat with the red
wing.
"Ninian bought me this" Lulu only
said.
'But, Lulu, don't you think it might
be better to keep, well-out of sight
for a few days?' Ina's lifted look
besought her.
"WhyT' Lulu asked.
"Why set people wondering till we
have tor"
''They don't have to wonder, far as
I'm concerned" said Lulu, and went
down the walk
Ina looked at Dwight. "She never
spoke to me like that in her life be-
fore" she said.
She watched her sisters black and
white figure going directly down the
street.
''That gives me the funniest feel
ing" said Ina, "as If Lulu had on
clothes bought for her by some one
that wasn't-that was"
"By, her husband who has left her."
said Dwight sadly.
is that what It is, papa?" Di asked
alertly. For a wonder, she was there;
had been there the greater part of
the day-most of the time staring,
fascinated, at her Aunt Lulu.
THAT'S what It is, my little girl"
said Dwight, and shook his head.
"Well, ! think it's shame" said Di
stoutly. "And / think Uncle Ninian
is slunge."
'Dil"
II do. And I'd be ashamed to think
anything else. I'd like to tell every
body"
There is" said Dwight, mo need
IOF SeSTecy-nOW.
Dwight" said Ina-Ina's eyes al
ways remained expressionless, but 1t
must have been her lashes that looked
so startled
No need whatever for secrecy" he
repeated with firmness. "The truth
Is Lulu's husband has tired of her
and sent her home. We must face it."
but, Dwight-how awful for Lulu
Lulu" said Dwight. "has us to
stand by her."
Lulu, walking down the main street,
thought:
"Now Mis- Chambers is seeing me.
Now Mis- Curtis. There's somebody
behind the vines at Mis- Martins.
Here comes Mis- Grove and I've got
to speak to her :"
One and another and another met
her, and every one cried out at her
some version of:
Lulu Bettl" Or, "w-well, IL isn't
Lulu Bett any more, is it? Well, what
are you doing here? thought -
"Pm back to stay" she said.
'sThe idea! Well, where you hiding
that handsome husband OF yours?
Say, but we were surprised You're
the sly one
"My-Mr. Deacon isn't here"
sob"
"No. He's West"
"Oh, I see."
Having no arts, she must needs let
the conversation die like this, could
invent nothing concealing or gracious
on which to move away.
She went to the post office. 1t was
early, there were few at the post Of
fice-with only one or two there had
she to 60 through her examination.
Then she went to the general delivery
window, tense for new ordeal.
To her relief, the face which was
shown there was one strange to her.
a slim youth, reading a letter of his
own, and smiling.
Excuse me-" said Lulu family.
The youth looked up, with eyes
warmed by the words on the pink pa
per which he held
could you give me the address OF
Mr.. Ninian Deacon?"
Lets see-you mean Dwight Dea-
con, 1 guessT
mo. It's his brother. He's been
here. From Oregon. / thought he
might have given you his address"
she dwindled away.
WYATT a minute" said the youth.
"Nope. No address here. Say, why
don't you send it to his brotheri He'd
know. Dwight Deacon, the dentist"
'T1l do that" Lulu said absurdly,
and turned away.
She went back up the street, walk
ing fast now to get away from them
all. Once or twice she pretended not
to see a familiar face. But when she
passed the mirror in an insurance Of
fee window, she saw her reelection
and at its appearance she felt sur
prise and pleasure.
"Wellr she thought, almost In
Ina's own manner.
Abruptly her confidence rose.
Something Of this confidence was
still upon her when she returned
They were in the dining room now,
all save Di, who was on the porch
with Bobby, and Monona, who was In
bed and might be heard extravagant-
IT,