Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-11-20

/ "Ah. my child, you were born for some
+ thing better than poor farmers daugh-
ter
( But if Winifred at times chafed be-
/ cause she was the unnoteed daughter of
poor farmer, she never looked down on
or blamed her father She had no wish
to be elevated from her present position
without him; she sought no advantage
from which he was excluded. She even
stroye to conceal her regrets from him;
but the eyes of love are discerning, and
although Mr.. Eyre never allowed her TO
see that her longings were known to him,
he was painfully awe to them.
Miss Eyre left thu town one day and
walked on for abou half a mile, until
she came to Il small white cottage stand
ing back from the road in a pleasant gar
den, wen shaded by old-fashioned fruit
trees. Winifred did not stand ON the
ceremony of knocking, but raised the
latch and entered the drawing room.
where Madame de Montolieu was sitting
before her embroidery frame. She looked
up with glad smile, aud, rising, kissed
the young girl on both cheeks.
All, my rosebud" she exclaimed, "you
have come at last
Yes. dear madame" Wiuifred replied.
but | have not been wholly successful
in executing your commissions. See"
she added. this green wool is a shade
lighter than the pattern. but | thought it
would scarcely matter, as your other
greens are so much deeper. The red is
the right color, but it seems to me
little faded lying in the shop. 1t is inn
70 aaft yha+
in these little country towns"
Both will do exeelently well, my
child | thank YOU" returned Madame
de MontoIiau. putting on her spectacles.
Then she looked fondly at Winifred's
face; but something she saw there
brought an increased gravity over her
placid features.
My lover she said. gently, has any
thing happened to distress you?"
The quick tears sprang to Winifred's
eyes, but for a moment she was silent.
Then she essayed to smile, answering:
1T is my pride, for which you SO often
chide me, that has been lurt, dear mann
ana. l shall make you laugh when | tell
how small a thing has provoked me-
But the kind old lady did rot laugh
she was full Of pitiful tenderness for
the feelings of youth. and sympathized
keenly with the wounds of a sensitive
nature like Winfrcd's. She heard how
Winifred's cousin. Miss Champion. had
passed her on the road that morning, ig-
noring her.
Madame said Winifred, suddenly.
after a pause who do you think the
gentleman with Miss Champion could
be?''
Il cannot tell, my love; probably Wis
itor at the Manor. Stay, my love. may
it not have been Mr.. Hastings? hear
he has just returned from abroad. and
you know his father and Sir Howard
were great friends. Perhaps he at last
feels 1. desire to see the beautiful home
of his fathers, which he has neglected so
long. Can you describe him at ali?''
II only saw him a moment" returned
Winifred, blushing, but his face SEEM
ed rather bronzed with travel; from what
| remember, | fancy he had dark blue
eyes and fair hair"
II think. then" remarked Madame de
Montoleu, that my surmise is correct
for dark blue eyes and golden hair are
the family characteristics"
Winifred turned homeward with
lighter heart. She had almost forgotten
the aff-ont that had been put upon her:
but she could not forget the eager look
of admiration that had crossed the hand
some strangers face as he turned to
look at her. Without doubt he was Mr.
Hastings, the owner Of all the property
about-of the very wood through which
she was even then passing on her way
to the farm. And very bright smile
came on her lips as she thought how near
he lived, and that she might perhaps see
him sometimes in her walks Tt would
be some relief to the monotony of her
life, only to be able now snd then to gaze
on q handsome face Ike his
One evening Winifred went out for
stroll in the woods with her little Scotch
terrier as her only companion. and. choos-
ing picturesque spot. sat down TO rest
aud to dream of the many women no fair
er than she. who had become famous.
Her speculatious were suddenly cut
short by a yap from her terrier, and
turning sharply round, she beheld her
little companion rolling over and over
down the bank under the sudden and
unproyokcd assault OF a huge mastif.
She uttered a little cry II fright and
sprang TO the rescue, when She heard a
crashing Of the branches at her side.
sharp, To heel Role" from a mans
voice. \ sudden recognition. hasty
apology, and he stood looking at her. hat
in hand. with the same expression OF ad-
miration in his eyes that she had seen
there before. There was a pause, dur.
ing which the startled Winifred blusheL.
and felt painfully confused,
Il fear my dog has alarmed you," said
( the stranger, mt last; he is rather wont
/ TO be aggressive TO his species, particular
/ Is in this wood, Of which ne is accus
/ toned to conSder himself sole monarch. g"
Then | fear We are frespasscrs," Wini-
fred found courage to answer; but We
have always been allowed 10 walk here,
( and
II shall indeed bc sorry il our rude
ness and inhospitality should drive you
away" laughed the stranger. Il beg
/ you will always, both Tor yourself and
frieuas. consider you are entitled TO a
free right of way over any and every
part of my possessions
Winifrcd thanked him and would have
turucd away, aut he fingered; aud there
was such Il charm 10 her in she presence
Of this refined arstocratic looking man
that she relt no inclination TO break rude
Is away from him
You are Mr. Hastings. then =" she said
iuterroEatively.
Yes" he replied. - have come bach
AT last 20 enjoy the delights of home af
Ter my long absence"
1t must DE very pleasant 60 soe ;,
much Of the outer world" Wiuifrcd safe