Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-18
CHAPTER VIII.


arrived. save one. That one was Wini-
fred Eyre. On the morning of the day
on which she and her cousin were to have
appeared at Endon Vale. a letter came
TO Lady Grace, saying that Madame de
Montoifu was seriously i'll with an at
tack Of bronchitis. and that until shs
was sufficiently recovered Winitred could
bot Leave her.
Miss Champion, of course, arrived all
the same, and, if the truth must be told,
she was very well satisfied with What
had occurred. The idea of driving over
to Endon Vale with her cousin had been
most dstasteful to her; and now that she
was relieved from that unpleasant neces-
sity she was radiant. and. as her broth
er, who accompanied her remarked, in a
most unusually good temper.
The greater part Of Lady Grace Far
Guh"r's guests ~2re strangers to her.
Those she knew we've Lord Harold Frs
kins Miss Alton, the Honorable Evelyn
I Van and his sister. AS the reader will
pass some time in the company Of the
visitors Mt EndOn Vale, il may not be
sapertluous to enter into few partieu-
lars concerning them. Lord Harold Frs
kline has already been mentioned. so we
/ will begin with Mr.. Francis Clayton,
( who from his eousinship to the host
claims priority of mention.
! Francis Clayton was man who would
have completely hafFied the researches OF
those estimable people who persistently
find good in everyone. There was not an
amiable trait in his character. nor kin,
action of his on record, and yet he passed
zrn in l. !
certain degree Of manner, and because
his income was very large one. He was
not a man to charm women. and yet there
was many a one who would have been
content to ignore his evil qualities and
take him for the sake OF his rent roll
Francis Clayton was 81, and it was his
boast that he had never made any woman
an offer Of marriage.
| Mis- Alton had been at Endon Vale
some days. and was a great favorite with
everyone ia the house. Her aunt, Lady
Marion, was in Ireland, and as she was
not particularly attached to her prim old
grandfather and grandmother, whom her
aunt visited annually. she had been very
glad to accept Lady Grace invitation 10
spend month with Ler. Marion. or
Fee Alton, as her fond aunt had chris
tened her, was the prettiest, sprightliest
little eoquet in the world. Her mother
aud Lady Marion were twin sisters. AID
the former having formed an attachment
for a handsome young captain in the army
whom her father would not hear Of ran
of with him, and subsequently accom-
panied him 20 India with his regiment.
where she died. Two years after, her
handsome young husband caught a fever,
which carried him off IN less than week.
and then their two children were sent to
( England The elder, a boy. died on the
passage home, and the little girl was
received with open arms by her aunt as
a precious charge trom her dearly below
ed sister,
Lady Marion was by this time married
70 basouet OF considera Bile wealth. but
she had no children; and when Sir Mar,
maduke Alto- died. ten years after their
marriage. the title went to younger
brother. He was. however, able to leave
her handsome income for her life, and
Lady Marion Alton lived in very good
style. She was devoted TO her niece. who
she insisted should take her name: and
] to prevent any inconvenience from their
both having the same Christian name
Z
tie niece Fee, and very appropriate
name il was
At the time we write Fee Alton was
Is. and just through her first season. She
was small, but perfectly symmetrical: it
was only envy that prompted people to
say sometimes she was nothing but an
animated wax doll. Everyone admired
/ and liked her, and she liked everyone in
4 sFl -.
party, with her quick wit and keen sense
| # the ridiculous, and il she was a little
malicious sometimes It was impossible TO
I be angry with her, she was always so
/ eager TO atone for It.
! As opposites frequently attract each
other. She was at the present time cngag
| Vi in a desperate Irritation with Co
| Evers d'Aguilar. a tall. dark melancholy
| looking man (albeit decidedly Handsomely,
| who was very much in love with her. lie
had beea an through the Indian war, and
an his rpuIrn to England. looking very
chin and Worn he was made quite hero
OF hy al the women. and looked his part
extremely well.
| suppose that ii two men from the OPP
poste poles had been brought together
Under one roof, they could not have diff
fered more essentially than Col. d Agnt
lar and MIR. Clayton One was generous
Ia heart and mind. ehivalrous 10 women
irresolutc. diihjent in himself. and with
the courage Of lion; the other--weli, W.
already know what Francis Clayton was
And yet these two men had something in
,ommon~a sentiment which in one was q
tender ehiyairous affection; ia The Other
a base selfish passion, This sentiment
was love of Fee Alton. For the first
J absolutely the first time in his life. Mr.
, Clayton was as he confessed 10 himself
in overwhelmingly IA love with pref
ty. little malicious teasing, impettinen
fairy, ana could not help -imseit.
Lady Grace's guests included Mr.
/ Fralr. connection of her husbands. VIII,
had recently come into very good living
bnt had strong sporting tendencies; Cap
tain Culloden, Of the Guards. very plain
A.; quiet individual with good income an,
: considerably less brains; aud the Mon
! orable John Fielder. universal aud mos