Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-03-19
CHAPTER II1.-fContinued.l

Jack and Cyril were having game OF
rromps with Fluff. Beryl sat on a low
basket-work chair, and Ivor Grant lay
stretched on the grass at her feet. some
'times talking to her. sometimes watching
the little lads and melting Fluff to fresh
eeeentrieities.
You have no idea how much better
eyou are looking" he said. presently
Certainly country air has done wonders
for you. and the children. too. Jacks
checks are getting quite rosy"
We have been having what the Amer
deans call such a good time said
Beryl, softlg, moving to and fro between
her bare, slim fingers the branch OF
honeysuckle that little Jack had laid in
her lap. THE rest, the peace, the free
dom, the lovely air. | am only afraid il
lis all too good to last. Have you ever
noticed what a spiteful delight Fate
seems to take in disarranging ones plans,
just as one has settled them comfortably
with oneself? We go to sleep one night
thinking that tomorrow, and tomorrow,
and tomorrow viii be just as happy as
To-Day, and we wake and all is changed.
Meier again can that to-day be with us
In any similitude of its deep content"
Which proves that life's truest phil
osophy consists in making use of the pres
eot moment, and enjoying il to the ut
most" said Ivor; 'as | am doing now -
he added, laughing. aud leaning back 10
look at her with his handsome azure
eyes.
eff my prophetic soul is not very much
mistaken" said Beryl, Il see the well
known gray figure Of our local post COM
Ding through the. trees. | wonder what he
brings your
Nothing important, dare swear"
said Ivor, eareless!y.
That is very wicked to say" chimed
In little rebuking voice. "You won't
go TO heaven if you swears. | thought
You was goUd."
IvOr drew the little fellow into his
arms. and kissed the rebuking lips.
No one is good, my dear-at least. no
'man." he said, with sigh. II wish we
were"
Mummy very good" said little Jack.
fthOughtfully. Does good people cry
,sOmetimes?''
why do you ask?" asked Ivor, with a
glance at a suddenly crimsOned cheek,
that turned itself aside with ostentatious
indifference.
Cos my mummy cries often and
often. But | DON'T think she's naughty
do youT'
Naughty! Bless the child, what things
Inc does say!' cried Ivor, aghast. Your
smother couldn't be naughty" he aided,
very low. as the little face nestled close
against his own; 'be quite sure of that.
and try never to grieve her, or vex her
yourself. Perhaps 1t is you who make
her cry"
me doesn't think So" said little Jack.
with that deep far-off look coming into
mis- eyes which always seemed to Iyor
Grant too earnest and unchildlike for
those baby years. But she's a sweet lit
ttie mnmuy, and me doesn't want her to
cry"
With which speech he slipped off
avor's knee, and stood gazing down the
walk that led to the back entrance Of
the house
ME saw somefns," he said grayely.
ooh" and he danced off like a sunbeam.
'Mr. Postman-Mr. Postman! You've
brought some letters Div 'em to me iii
rectiy once"
Your l6tters b'aint among these here.
my little gentleman" said the old man
who knew the child well. 1--WE left them
mp t Rectory this hour agone."
Then div me Mr. Grants" said Jack
lmperiously, and forthwith danced back
with three or four misslves in his little
hands, which he presented triumphantly
20 fvor. See, Mr. Grant, Use post
man, too One--two-three. Dis a very
big letter. Does you know Indian people,
Alike mummy does-a far way?"
But il was not an Indian letter. Only
a foreign one, with the strange stamps
and cramped fac writing which Ivor had
iearned to recognize as Count Savona's.
This is not for me. it is for my moth
.er.'' he said. holding the missive between
his fingers. and looking at it with frown-
ing EYES.
eagerly, Is she rose from her seat and
stood before him in the full, deep glow OF
the setting sunlight.
Thanks, il you WILL" he said, some
what ahsently, and rose, too, aud gave
her the letter, with so strange look
,mpOn his face that she puzzled herself as
to u meaning all the time she was max
in., her way to Mrs Grants room.
might have been half an hour later
that she returned and found him on the
terrace with the boys. teaching Fluff e
leap over sticks in mimic hurdle race.
Well" he said, looking up as she ap-
preached, have you decided to stay thi.
evening""
Yes" she said. quietly "Your moth
er insists upon 1t. But you won't be SC
dependent upon my society soon, for you
are to have another visitor"
= another, Who is it?"
Her quick ear caught the ring OF feal
aud dismay ia his voice. even before sh,
mead he mingling of them in the eve,
that met her own.
"A friend of yours. so Mrs. Grant said
Some foreign nobleman, the Count Sa
Vona"
Had little Jack caught that suppressed
exclamation. cchoing in muttered thun
der to the lightning flash of the dark blu,
eyes, he would have declared Mr.. Gran
had said a very bad swear" indeed.
CHAPTER ".
The Indian letter had come.
There it lay on the parlor table a
Berry, entered aud the ominous dread a
her heart increased as she saw the well