Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-06


two in their company
1t was proposition which neither OF
them felt in a humor to decline and Har-
leigh, having no suspicion that the
young damsel," who had several times
been alluded to by the jew under that
appellation. was Alice Dale, vas not de
tered from giving his consent on account
of the promise exacted by Mr.. Walworth.
When the door was thrown open, which
disclosed an apartment such as in spien-
dor might have been supposed to com
pare with those Of Aladdin's palace, they
were both surprised Harleigh, who was
in advance Of Elliston, stepped back,
that he might enter before him.
The meeting Of friends should precede
that of strangers. said he.
Elliston, not knowing exactly how 10
construe this, hesitated a moment, but
finding that Harleigh still hs back, he
entered the room, saying, as ne did so,
something about the greater pleasure be-
ing reserved for the last the meaning of
which was, of course. enigmatical to Har-
leigh.
Alice. the moment Edward Ellistor
stepped inside lie door. rose and went
forward to meet him.
after AZ ny fears, then to the con-
trary," said she, your mother received
the billet | sent her this mornng?"
NO; we hadn't received single word
OF intelligence in any shape whatever.
My finding you here W S entirely unex-
pected."
Harleigh was so surprised at seeing
her whom he thought so far distant, and
In the midst of a scene of so much mag
nifcence, that he was almost inclined to
doubt the evidence of his own senses, all
the doubts and misgiviags which Mildred
Dacres and Falkland had succeeded in
inspiring him, as respected the constancy
of Alice, were, for the time being, for
gotten.
As he stood behind Edward EIliston,
Alice did not at first see him, and when.
as il suddenly reused from a dream, he
stepped forward, she, too, forgot that the
Vaccinations Of Falkland and Mildred
must have given him cause to distrust
her. Her heartfelt joy at seeing him
went far to remove many Of those doubts
he had been unable TO overcome.
When the surprise and excitement of
the meeting between her and Harleigh
had somewhat subsidized the thoughts of
Alice reverted to the opal. Possibly.
Harleigh might not know that she had
lost it, At any rate, she felt determined
to seek an opportunity to tell him all she
herself knew respecting its loss. While
these thoughts were yet in her mind. the
Jew, taking it from a small casket, hand
ed it to Harleigh.
Your motive in calling this evening, 9"
said he, was to examine it. You may
not find a better opportunity than the
present"
As Harleigh took it. he could not for
bear looking towards Alice, but though
her color heightened, her eyes. which for
a moment met his, did not droop. Hav-
ing examined it, Harleigh returned it
without speaking.
You find it to be the same once in your
possession" said the Jew.
Yes"
Alice, who had been attentively watch
ing him, saw that shadow was resting
or Harleigh's brow. Rising precipitately
from the divan, where she was sitting by
the side of Abb, she approached him.
you knew that / had lost that opal
before you came here this evening-did
you not?" she inquired.
II knew that you had parted with it"
he replied, gravely.
You couldn't think that 1 gave it to
Falkland?"
He said so, and publicly, too"
And you believed him?'
Her voice faltered. for in confirmation
of her words, the expression of his coun-
tenance every moment grew grnver and
more stern. She paused short time TO
recover herself, and then with an earnest
ness and directness that made every word
tell. she related those incidents connected
with the loss of the opal, as far as they
were known to herself Her voice, her
countenance, her manner, all conspired to
give what she said the stamp of truth.
Are you satistied?' said she, with
smile. when she had finished.
She hardly would have veuturcd TO ask
this question. mad she not seen by the
clearing away OF the clouds that had
darkened his brow, the import Of what
she might expect for an answer.
Il am not only satisfied" he replied,
but am heartily ashamed Of having
wronged you by paying the slightest heed
10 those who attempted - deceive me.
have only TO ask your forgiv, ness"
(which is quite unnecessary. as You
know that / am not one OF those who
hold malice. And now | have request
to make
Before you name il, / promise that
it shall be granted"
1T is only that you will not seek to
deprive Abi, who has been sery kind to
me-. OF the rare and costly gem, which,
when you gave i: 10 me. | thought to &c
tain as long us l lived; for her claim TO
it Is stronger AID still more sacred than
mine"
at was my intention" he replied, TO
purchase it OF the jew and restore it 10
you"
"YoI cannot doubt the pleasure its res
toration would give me under diheren;
circumstances; hut the opal belonged tC
ANS mother. 1t was her last gift 10 hel
| child"
And for this reason she values itf'
Il cannot describe to you how much 81
at would be next to sacrilege. then, =,
take it from her"
In the meantime, tie jew and Edward
Ellisteu, who were seated at too great
a distance from Harieigh and Alice tS
hear what passed between them. WEE,
/ busily engaged in conversation. Ellistou'
attention. however. was not - entirely
absorbed rs to prevent h,u from Seein.
/ that Abb was not only very beautiful
but that she bore a striking resemblance,
! to gentleman he once saw - his moth
er's residence. some six or seven years
| previously. Had it been twice that time