Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-27

wood path. and he struck across the field,
his way still illumined by the electric
flashes that played over the black sky.
The rain was falling faster and more vio-
Iently, when suddenly a light cleaned
out upon the blackness around it. at some
distance ahead. and remembering that a
small cottage, inhabited, when he was in
this district last, if he remembered right.
by some quiet peasants of the neighbor-
hood, stood somewhere near his present
position, he concluded that this must be
it. Putting the spurs to his beast again.
therefore, he pressed on. and in a few
moments reached its friendly shelter, Just
as the rain came pouring down in abso-
Lutte torrents.
Fastening Roland in an old shed that
adjoined this cottage Al one end, Louis
knocked on the door with the handle of
his whip. The next moment it was open
ed wide. and before him, shading her eyes
with her hand, with her pretty and petite
figure clearly defined against the glow
ing background Of a well-lighted apart
ment beyond, stood a young girl, evident
ly NOT more than sixteen years of age.
There was an earnest smile on her face.
and d warm welcome for some one, evil
IDENTIFY, upon her lips; but the beautiful
features changed their sweet, expectant
look 10 one of startled surprise as the
light from the apartm mt behind shone
upon the strange face of our young hero.
"Your pardon, mademoiselle," said
Louis; but the storm has overtaken me.
and / am forced to ask for shelter here
little while until its present violence
abates."
The young girl stepped back, saying.
with gentle and graceful courtesy as she
did so:
viii monsieur be pleased to enter?
He is very welcome"
And closing the door again as he came
in, she conducted him into a large and
comfortable room and exceedingly neat
looking withal. There was 40 person ex-
| cept themselves there.
4 sharp gust of wind and rain beat
against the easement. and he saw the girl
look inyolnntarily in that direction with
a half sigh and an air of apprehension
| solicitude.
Perhaps MAIDEN osele has friends who
are exposed TO this Storm" suggested
| Louis.
Eyes monsieur, my father. who has
! been absent all day. He should have re-
turned much earlier than this but. doubt
less he will come home soon. He went
TO the market this morning. | am sorry
he is not here to welcome YOU"
4 little silence ensued. when the fair
hostess drew a spinning wheel towards
her. and. sitting down by the hearth, be-
gan to work quietly but industriously.
now and then looking up from her en-
I ployment to respond to some observation
/ of her guest; while Louis, ON his part.
1 studied at leisure her sweet and some
| what thoughtful eountenanee. followed.
! with pleased interest. the glancing mo-
/ ton Of those snowy little hands. and
wonG, red to himself how graceful bios
| som like this could ever have sprung IN
! aud flourished in peasants home.
The rain aud wind beat furiously about
the little cottage. increasing the sense Of
comfort within. and blending its sound
curiously with his reflections, rs Louis
sat there by the hearth. opposite TO his
hostess and thinking how rxquistely
! pretty she was, ana wondcrin- W hat her
! father was like envying him, at one mo-
/ meat, for being the father of 50 lovely a
child, auG The next, thinking that, much
IS they might love each other h, was
very glad that he was uot her father
While she. working busiiy. kept her lttit
+ wheel whiTrjnE, WbirgiuE-au3 uow and
then slightly turning her fair head with
an intent look. as if listening for the foot
steps that did not come. ar lifting her
beautiful eyes 10 her guests f2ce as he
J spoke TO her. and answering him in those
quiet. pleasant tones that Louis could
not help thinking the sweetest in the
world. until the wind died away and the
rau ceased. and Louis could not bat say,
rs he iouked-out from the easement upon
/ the narrow road that wound across tbs
fields, and among the distant hills. TO his
unclc's chateau. thai it was time for him
to depart.
Have you far to 20. hronsieurE She
asked. putting aside her wheel and ris
ing.
ACROSS the hills yonder; half a league