Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
MRS. FORREST

cheeks until tears of modification stood
in her eyes. Poor child! she was not vet
sufficiently used to the way OF the world,
to parry such cruel shafts. But Lord
Harold stood by her friend
THAT was hardly fair of you, Miss
Champion" he said, coolly, ito take the
words out Of your cousins mouth. l
wish Miss Eyre could have heard the
fattering speech Hastings made about
her once, before a room full Of young la
dies; they were awfully jealous of it,
One vivid glance of thanks shot from
under Winifred's long lashes; Lord Har-
old, seeing it, was rewarded Miss Cham
pion noted it. too. and was bitterly an
gered But she smiled sweetly as she
| said:
Miss Eyre will scarcely thank you
| for your hasty championship. Your words
almost seem TO accuse me Of betraying
something she wished to conceal"
And laughing slill. she walked to the
window. bitterly conscious that she had
ruined her last chance with Lord Harold.
| That same evening Miss Alton dismiss
ed her maid. and betook herself to brush
her pretty hair in Winifred's room. for
whom she had conceived a violent fancy.
'I'm sure you're not tiredr' she ex-
claimed as she was admitted, IN answer
to her summons; "and | want to have
chat with you
| mo, am not tired at all" Winifred
answered; land think there's no time
for talking like this. when one has a sort
of guilty feeling that one ought to be
in bed
We'll. them exclaimed Fee, laughing,
lets be prepared to do without our beau
| ty sleep for once and begin. | am going
to call you Winifred, and you must call
me Fee-no one ever thinks of saying
Marion. Not that l approve of people
| calling each other by their Christian
names as a rule" ratified on the little
| fairy. because it leads to familiarity, and
familiarity, we are wisely told, breeds
contempt. It's the greatest mistake to
be too intimate-people are sure to quar-
rel, but | don't think we shall: so, If you
do not mind let it be Winifred and Fee"
In which arrangement Miss Eyre con-
CURED heartily.
And now | want TO confide In you"
continued Fee. because | am the most
miserable creature in the world. and /
want advice and l know you are good
and sensible, Don't be offended" she
went on in her quick. droll way; II don't
mean anyti ig disparaging by saying you
are sensible. / know it's generally con-
s;dered an odious trait in young people to
be sensible; but you couldn't be anything
that wasn't nice, because you are 50 pref
ty and clever. | want to talk to you about
Col. d Agnilar and Mr.. Clayton. Which
DO you like the mostF'
a.E~ Oh FSaT.
seriously exclaimed Winifred. AT all
events, you cannot have any doubt as 10
my answer"
Then you don't like Mr.. Clayton?''
Indeed | do not." replied Winifred,
earnestly. He sHems to have cynical
disbelief in good, sneering mistrust of
kind actions, that never goes with good
or benevolent nature. / would rather
die ten thousand times over than come to
suspect every thought and acton OF the
people | lived with
Il know what you say OF Francis
Clayton to be true; 'espise him in my
heart. have not a shadow of hope that
shall ever approach to feeling Of love
for him. He is malicieas--he is cruel
he il revengeful And yet, knowing all
this, it will not hinder me from selling
myself to him IL he cares 10 buy me-
think he will. think if it were only to
triumph over Col d'Aguiiar he would
marry me. Winifred. do you know love
that nam with all my heart-with all the
love OF which a poor. vain. frivolous ma
turc IKE mine is capable? and yet | can
not sacrifice society and fashion for his
sake | wonder why all the men who
are worth loving are poor?'
''You would give up such man as
Col d'AguiIar and take MIR Clayton,
for the sake Of his money!"
Fee nodded her head.
Eyes. so would you IL you had led my
life. and been brought up as | have been.
What can | dor" and shc stamped her
foot impatiently; Il have no money; my
aunt has none TO give me. Col. d'Aguilar
has only a pittance barely sufficient for
himself Riches. they say. cannot give
love or happiness; but poverty can take
away one and destroy the other. have
no other alternative"
Dear Miss Alton" said Winifred, II
beg of you with all my h.ort to think we'll
before you make mp yoar m.G6 to marry
a man like this Mr. Clayton. Tn;ck what
il must he to spend the best part OF your
life with a man you cannot love-a man
YOU might perhaps get to hate
Fee laughed a little unnatural laIgh.
and put her fingers to her ears.
Hush she said; do not talk ir. that
way. | know oil YOU can say. After all.
VIII" kn"ws? MIR. Clayton may never do
me the honor TO propose to me and then
how foolish shall look! Goodnight.
chere- Kiss me once more. Goodnight"
And the little fairy trippcd of 10 her own
room.