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

Dl was curiously silent When cor.
nish addressed her, she replied simply
and directly-the rarest of DIS man.
ners--in fact, not DIS manner at all
Lulu spoke not at all--it was enough
to have this respite.
After little the gate opened again
II was Bobby. In the besetting fear
that he was leaving Di to face some
thing alone, Bobby had arrived.
And now DIS spirits rose. To her
his presence meant repentance, re.
equalization. Her laugh rang out, her
replies came archly. But Bobby was
plainly not playing up Bobby was
In fact, hardly less than glum. It was
Dwight, the irrepressible fellow, who
kept the talk going.
"Mammar Monona shouted from
her room. Come and hear me say
my prayersw
Monona entered this request with
precision on mas nastiest moments,
but she always rose, unabashed, and
went, motherly and dutiful. to hear
devotions. as If that function and the
process Of living ran their two di-
vided channels.
She had dispatched this errand and
was returning when Mrs Bett crossed
the lawn from Grandma Gates, where
the old lady had taken comfort in
Mrs. Belts mlnistrations for an hour.
Don't you help me-" Mrs. Bett
warned them away sharply. -
guess | can help myself yet awhile"
She gained her chair And still in
her mouentary rule of attention. she
said clearly:
81 got joke. Grandma Gates
says us all over town ri and Bobby
Larkln eloped off together today.
Hew The last was a single note of
laughter, high and brief.
The silence fell
what nonsenser Dwight Herbert
said angrily.
But Ina said tensely: rs II nom
sense2 Haven't / been trying and
trying to find out where the black
satchel went7 Dir
DIS laughter rose, but It sounded
thin and false.
Listen to that. Bobby" she said.
"Iisten,'
THAT won't do. d." said Ina. "You
can't deceive mamma and don't you
try Her voice trembled, she was
FRANTIC with loving and authentic
anxiety. but she was without power.
she overshadowed the real gravity of
the moment by her indignation.
"Nirs. Deacon" began Bobby. and
stood up, very straight and manly
before them all,
But Dwight interviewed, Dwight.
the father, the master of his house.
Here was something requiring him TO
act So the father set his face like
a mask and brought down his hand
ON the rail of the porch. II was rs
II the sound shattered thousand
filaments-where?
"Diana - his voice was terrible
demanded response, rayened among
Them
Yes. papa" said hi, very small.
Answer your mother. Answer me
Is there anything to this absurd tale2.
mo. papa" said hi trembling.
Nothing whatever?"
Nothing whatever"
"Can you imagisa how such a RI
diculous report s'artedT'
"No papa"
''''erv wen New we la..-, ~
we are. II anyone hears this report
repeated. send them TO me"
Well but that satchel-" said Ina.
to whom an idea manifested less as a
function than as leech.
"One moment" said Dwight Lulu
VIII of course verify what the child
has said"
IF you cannot settle this with d."
said Lulu you cannot settle IL with
me-"
"A shlfty answer" said Dwight.
You have genius at misrepresent-
ing facts. you know. Lulu"
Bobby wanted to say something"
said Ina. still troubled.
NO. Mrs Deacon" said Bobby,
low Il have nothing-more TO say"
In little while. when Bobby went
away, hi walked with him to the gate.
II was as II, the worst having hap
pened to bar sba an,..,S 4htrs,