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

" s7tu nave deem forced 10 confess now
~-m.a she had misjudged him. He was
r.. The hrst time in his fe unreasonably.
Overwhelmingly. in love, and his Judgment
was al war with his passion. Reflection
did n6t help him, either.
Il have heard" lie thought. "of men
counting the world well lost for a wom-
ms sake, but never realized the feel
Ing until now. Now / feel that / would
give all possess il / could raise her to
my position, or sink to hers. She is only
a bright, charming child yet, but what
divine womanhood she will grow into
when she begins to love | cannot mag
Inc any greater happiness than to look
into the depths of those beautiful eyes.
and read there, I love you or to take
those little, slender hands in mine, and
hear the confession from her lips. But
could not trust myself to stay here and
see h often; silence would be impossi-
BILE. l. it were not for our cursed Hast
ings pride l might tell her now. this Te-y
day, how | love her, and marry her II
she would have me. But that cannot be.
Have all my ancestors kept their resolve
in spite of everything until now. aud
shall be the first one 10 break ii by my
weakness or eowardice? No, no, no.!
he thought, passionately honor of
our house first
And so Errol made up his mind that he
would see Winifred DO more--he would
not yield to temptation, or expose her to
disappointment, and when he passed the
next day with Miss Champion he kept
mis- face steadily ayerted from the Farm,
little guessing how bitterly the woman
he loved was commenting on his apparent
neglect
Several days passed, and the house was
full OF guests. Everyone declared that
HAZEL Court was the most charming
country house to stay at, and that Mr..
Hastings VAS the perfection Of host.
He and Lady Grace Farquhar made the
most delightful arrangements for the gen
eral amusement; and everybody was
amused and pleased in consequence. Miss
Champion and her brother were over at
the Court almost every day. somewhat
to the chagrin of Lady Ulrica st. Ego,
who had resolved to do everything in her
power 10 win Erro, Hastings. Her sis
ter. Lady Angela, had similar intentions
toward l. ord Harold Erskine, who was
almost as rich, though not of nearly such
old family.
One day. when Enrol had ordered his
four-in-hand to take the party driving, he
asked Miss Champion, who was sitting
on the box beside him. which way they
should go.
Over the common and up the hill, |
think is the prettiest." answered Flora.
with the malicious design of passing the
Farm, that Winifred might see them.
lust as they came up TO the Farm, Win
fired, who had been standing at the gate,
turned and walked away to the house.
II sayr' cried Lord Harold, what an
elegant woman. Miss Champion, you
are the great authority in the county
please tell me who that young beauty
isg'
She as a farmers daughter" said
Flora, coldly; and Enrol almost hated her
for saying it,
"A farmers daughter! / could have
sworn, with that figure and tournure. she
belonged to enc of the best families in the
county. I was just INDUCING a hope,
Hastings, that we should see her at the
ball. Do you know herT'
Yes" said Enrol. gravely. Il have
that honor"
Gould you not invite her?' Lord Har-
old went on.
ASK the ladies' answered Enrol, with
an unwonted tinge OF sarcasm, whether
they would consent - che presence Of a
girl who was Only a farmers daughter9"
Indeed. am sure / would" cried Miss
Alton, who was too pretty TO be jealous.
but the others remained silent
Winifred had turned away from the
gate with a swelling heart.
He may not care for me-" thought
the poor child; but he need not come
past so often with his aristocratie friends
to show how far above me he isg'
The day before the bali, ErroI had
retired to his sanctum, after lunch. to
write two or three letters, when there
came a gentle tap at the door.
Come inr' and Lady Grace appeared
on the threshold
win you pardon my intrusion:" she
said. Il have always wished TO see your
haunt, aud request | have to make to
you has at last given me a fair pre-.
text"
You might have taken my consent for
granted be answered. with a pleasant
smile; but | am quite content that you
should think !! necessary TO ask it, since
your scrupIe brings you here"
My request relates in a measure to one
of the dearest friends | had, p r Wini-
fred Champion"
Champion" said Hastings. interroga-
lively.
yes. the daughter of old Sir Howard g"
II did not know that there was another
daughter than Lady Nalanton.
Yes but she made a mesalliance, and
Sir Howard, who is dreadful tyrant. has
never allowed her name to be mentioned
since. / was very fond Of her, poor girl
although she was some years younger
than I was. but | never saw her after
che ran away, for J vas abroad with my
husband and before | returned to En-.
land. she died. Her governess. Madam,
DE- Montolieu. was a very good and charm
Ing person. and have always kept up
correspondence with her from time {,
time. | invaded your retreat this after
noon on purpose to ask II may have tn,
pony carriage. in order to drive over an,
pas the old lady visit
why not take the barouehe, Lad,
Grace? Lady st, Ego and Lady Marion
have declined driving this afternoon, an,
the Young ladies intend TO ride over t.
Mrs. Champions before dinner.
Thank you. would rather not discon
cert my Old friend by too much state; be
sides. have a great fancy 20 drive you
pretty ponies"
BY aH means then exclaimed ErroI
Lady Grace Farquhar arrived, yer
-,.If 81. mr.