Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-04

pertaining and amusing people. you have
no time for regrets
mo time for regretsr' ecba,ed Mr..
Hastings; for the last three weeks my
life has been one unceasing. haunting re-
greet"
! winifred looked up into his face in
quiringly.
1T is trouble cannot ask anyone to
share-you least Of all, he said. after a
pause.
winifred's eyes dropped beneath his
gazeit was so sad, yet 20 eager.
A voice was heard calling, Hastings,
Hastings"
In an instant he had taken her hand,
kissed it passionately, ard was gone.
Winifred turned away quickly. and went
ON her way 10 the cottage. She was trem-
bling, confused, glad, surprised. She
scarcely knew what her real feelings
were. But as Hawkins proposal re-
CURED to Ter mind, she determined to
accept it.
When she arrived at the cottage. she
found Lady Grace, AS has been described.
When she had accompanied her to the
pony carriage, she returned TO the little
drawing room.
Dear madame" said Winifred, kneel-
ing beside her old friend, and half hid
ing her face. Il want you to take me to
the Court tomorrow night"
THE Courtw exclaimed Madame de
Montolieu, in overwhelming surprise;
has Mr.. Hastings. then. invited you to
his ball?"
oh. no, not that Winifred answered.
quickly, with deep blush Tonight.
as | was coming here, Hawkins met me,
and asked me if should like TO see the
bail He said he would let me into the
little garden under the ballroom, and
there would be no one else there AT first
was angry 1t the idea, but | have chang
ed my mind; and, oh, madame" she con-
Guided, earnestly, Il do so want to go"
Madame de Montolieu looked at her
with impossible astonishment. She al
most failed to believe her senses when
proud Winifred Eyre made such re-
quest
II know it must seem strange to you.
Winifred said. imploringly; you tt ink /
am forgetting my pride, and my self
esteem; but | have reason-indeed
have"
"Winifred!' cried Madame de Monto-
lieu, in panied voice. you are think
1g too much of this Mr. Hastings"
She caressed the head that lay in her
lap pitifully and tenderly while she said:
II viii 20 with you If you wish it,
Il do wish it; thank you thousand
times.
The next evening, shortly before ten
o'clock, Winifred and her companion.
eloaked and yelled, appeared at the little
- -den gate. The faithful Hawkins was
waiting for them, and. true to his prom
Use, not another person was to be seen.
He had placed two chairs for them behind
a clump of laurels, and as the ballroom
windows were down to the ground they
could see plainly everything that took
place.
Winifred saw Lady Grace Farquhar,
ROBBED in delicate satin and lace, stand
ing with other ladies on a kind of a
velvet dais, renewing the guests as they
entered with stately graciousness. Then
she saw something that made her trenl-
BILE and turn pale. Mr.. Hastings entered
the room. looking mere handsome and
courtly than she had even ina gined. and
on his arm leant Flora Champion, with
the proud dignity Of an empress
A jealous pang shot through Winf-
fred's heart at the sight. and when she
saw Hastings bend down to Flora, and
perceived the smile that was reflected
back in his eyes, she eliuched her teeth
over her lips to keep back the tears of
modification. She turned To Madame
de Montolieu and said in quick. gasping
tones: ut is enough-let US go!"
CTo be continued)