Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
CHAPTER vIII.-lContinued)


pected 10 find Winifred awkward and
addressed. and here she was, perfectly
BAT fer ease, and elegantly dressed. 1t
Ssas IL Miss Champions heart to treat
&er with sighting disdain, but Lady
Iraee was there. and she could not for
ker her good breeding to crafty her
spleen. SO she walked straight up to
iwhere her cousin was sitting and held
but her hand, as though there ha3 never
Peen anything else but the most cousiniy
Friendship between them.
How do you do? Did you have a
pleasant drive from HnrstY'
8viigh tful." said Winifred, recovering
herself. ''Mrs. Champion was kind enough
no send me in her carriage, although she
hwas prevented coming herself She sent
r. message through me to you that Sir
Howard was rather nnwell. and she did
not like to leave him. but she hopes TO
drive over early next week"
Ell trust there is nothing serious the
matter with grandpapa." excai'aed Miss
champion. feigning interest
"Nothing more than a severe cold"
At this iuncture in came pretty Miss
Elton, and on Lady Grace introa ueing
DER and spoke in such a pleasant win
1ing ws that Winifred thought her the
krettest, sweetest little creature she had
over seen. And then the other guests
tame in. and were introduced to her in
turn; and when dinner was announced,
EiT Clayton gave her his arm and led her
Afo the dining room. Miss Champions
lip was curled contemptuously, but Win
aired was deeply touched by the kind con-
liberation Of her amiabe hostess. She
has a little shy at first with Sir Clay
Ton, but he talked so pleasantly to her
and his manner was so reassuring that
She soon felt at her ease. And then af
Ser dinner Miss Alton came and sat be-
side her. and chatted to her Of their af
ternoon excursion. aud the picnic that
was arranged for the following day.
When the gentlemen came in, Winifred
felt no longer shy: she was thoroughly
enjoying her FIRST glimpse of the world.
Mr.. Clayton came up and carried Miss
Alton away to the piano, and Lord Har-
I'D went over TO Miss Champion. Wini-
AIRED took the opportunity Of looking
around at the different faces.
There was a handsome. melancholy
Booking man. who attracted her attention
jim particular. He had come in late. and
was the only person who had not been
introduced to Ler. He was sitting alone
near the piano, watching Miss Alton,
.Winifred thought. with tender, almost
sad interest, as she sang her brilliant
French chansonette. The little fairy hal
thrown him her gloves and fan. in that
careless. peremptory " women often
use to man who they know love them
and he held them gently and reverentiy.
mir. Clayton frowned as be saw the ges-
ture, then he turned away to the plano
and began arranging the music.
When Miss Alton had finished her
song she moved back to her place beside
Winifred on the sofa. Mr.. Clayton walk
ed up to Col. d'Aguilar.
Il must treabel You for Miss Atoms
fan aud gloves" he said, nonchalantly.
Il will give them TO her myself" Col
d Aguilar said, coldly. rising.
MIR Clayton turned away with a se0wl,
that reminded Winifred painfully of Mr..
Fenner
Miss Alton" said Col. d'Aguilar,
have you forgotten that you intrusted
your property TO my care2'
Ous my Edli HtH ktSSEar SlG F&NtaAAA
ed. thank you. | did not remember them;
the fact Is. | was so anxious to return
TO my new acquaintance that / forgot
you But will make amends for my
negiect by sharing my pleasure with You.
Miss Eyre-Col. d'AguilaF." And she
made room for him on the sofa beside her.
greatly to Mr.. Clayton's annoyance, who
began to talk to Miss Eyre assiduously.
Winifred did not dislike him SO much
when he was talking: his conversation
was certainly amusing, and he told her
a great deal about Partisan society that
she found extremely entertaining. 1t was
emily now and then. when she remarked
the malicious, ugly scowl that crossed
his face when he glanced toward Miss
Alton aud Cob d Aguilar. that she remern-
beFed her instructive repulsion for him
As the days passed Flora Champion
Aecame very uneasy, and not without rea-
Saa. She had feared il from the first,
and aow there was No possibility Of
doubling that Lord Harold Etskine was
transferring his allegiance from her to
her cousin. She detested Winifred, as
only a woman can hate rival who sup
plants her 4 singing innueudo. point
ed sarcasm. at times betrayed her feel
ings, but as & rute she had tao much tact
to indulge hes angry malice Now and
then came an opportunity she could not
resist. One day at lunch. Lady Grace
was speaking OF Mr.. Hastings
Il regret so much" she said to Miss
Vauce, that we have lost such a charm
ing neighbor as Mr., Hastings promised
to be- His sudden departure is com.
piete mystery TO every one"
1--WE quite thought he intended to live
permanently at the Court" answered
Miss Vance. at appears he made the
most complete arrangements for doing so.
All his horses are still there, and | have
not heard of the servants being dismiss
ed A friend of his is staying there now,
playing host to a party of gentlemen.
What reason did he assign for his sud
den departure
"In a note | received from him few
days before be left he said he could not
as get aecustom himself TO a quiet eoun-
try life, and felt longing for thu eNtite-
ment Of foreign travel. But | cannot
bring myself to think that was anything
mere than an excuse. which he thought
simple enough 60 repel further question
5ng. | wish" Lady Grace continued. turn
ing to Winifred, shat you could have met
the gentleman we are speaking of. you
would have liked him so much. He is
not only singularly handsome. but has
peculiar fascination of manner that rem
ders him general faverite. Perhaps
some ia, he win return, and shall have
an opportunity of introducing him to
YOU"
Winifred bent down her head in silence.
Miss Champion looked up, and a glance