Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-06-12

raising her head and speaking earnestly
seriously. Robin was different from
those about him. He was better-more
noble than they. He was" She broke
off in the midst OF her words, blushing
and confused at her own animation.
Nay, my child. you need have no
shame" said the marquis. kindly; this
young man was. indeed, something more
than those whom one is accustomed TO
meet in that class to which he was allied.
l confess that your preference for him
is no mystery to me, and do not at all
disapprove OF it"
"Ah, how good you are, monsieur.
uttered the young girl, gratefully, as
she pressed his hand to her lips.
at is no merit to me, Rose, that my
own honest convictions force me TO ne
knowledge his superiority, and the good
sense you have displayed in your choice.
And now" he added, while the old
laughing glance shone in his eyes, Il dare
say you are dying with curiosity to know
how | came into possession Of all this
knowledge"
n
to me-" she answered, frankly.
What, then, viii you say, IL assure
you that Robin himself told to me the
only very little bitch, Rose?" he ask
ed.
Robin. sir? ah. then you have seen
him. said Rose. with hardly suppressed
JOY.
Il have seen him, my child"
And lately"
quite lately" he returned. pleased and
amused at her i~uocent betrayal of de-
light
MAY | ask when it was. monsieur
at was yesterday; nay-I have seen
him as lately as to-day"
To-day? all, then, he is very near"
she said, in a subdued yet joyful tone
and with her eyes bent to the floor, as
in meditation. Suddenly raising them,
she asked: Where was il, monsieur?
Too many questions, Rose laughed
the marquis-"too many questions.
must keep his whereabouts a matter Of
secrecy for short time
"Ah, monsieur said Rose. gently, and
with a pretty air OF depreciation.
Indeed, my dear child, it will do you
no harm. Wait till tomorrow, only to-
morrow. am | win tell You where he is;
nay, more-~you shall see him. You will
grant me until then?'
Willingly"
Now you can easily tell how guessed
at the object of your errand thither to-
night"
Since Robin told you all about this"
she said. with a slight and charming
blush, you must have had little difficulty
in divininy my purpose, when, at your
questioning this morning, | acknowledged
that il was to say to YOU something inn
mediately connected with myself that
desired to meet you here"
Exactly, Rose" said the marquis,
gaily. well, my darling. we have made
our eonfessions-hav we not? and they
were not such terrible confessions, after
ALL Robin, | honestly declare to you,
like. and am proud on. have invited
MIN here tomorrow But, Rose" and he
took her hand in his. you must not ex-
pect to behold the linen blouse and SER
viceable garments in which YOU were
probably wont TO see him. Robin is no
longer a gardener. and, therefore, you
must anticipate quite an alteration in his
p, rsonsl appearance"
"How?-no longer a gardener, mon
sieur?'' iterated Rose, in some surprise.
mo longer. my child he was Offered
an employment of an entirely different
character, which he Immediately accept
ed it was much more cOngenial TO his tai
ents and capabilities, as we'll as to his
tastes and desires. He is fast rising in
the world. Rose" and the good marquis
smiled. ''Ah, he will be great man,
some day. You would scarcely recognize
him now, I'll warrant. Why, child. this
rustic 10 Ter of yours is as great a gen.
tleman as there is in France this day.
The throne itself smiles upon him.
He said So" said Rose, musingly-
he said so--did he not? that he should
rise To honor and preferments AID
wealth? Yet how little ! imagined that
1t wcsigd be so soon"'
well, you see, | have won my dia-
monds, Rose" he said, laughingly. You
shall give them to me on your wedding
day. And now. my darling, let us join
our friends. They will be waiting for
us"
And Rose went with him, almost IN A
state of Bewiderment, knowing that she
had not said half she wished to say, yet
unable to recall it, or to think anything
but this sudden revelation of the mar
quis.
CTo no continued