Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-08
-HApTER XI.-(Continued.J

he was suspected. Francis Clayton was
beside himself; he vowed vengeance
against the delinquent he would convict
him he would get him transported-his
wife and children should be reduced to
shame and beggary!
Il find | shall have to go back to Eng
land" he told his wife. Il shall leave
YOU here, and return for you in week
or ten days"
"Oh, do take me with you, Francis,
said the little hypocrite, pretending to
look disappointed.
"Pshaw! tell you it is not e1nven-
ient."
But what am | to do il you go?
cannot go TO all these balls and dinners
Ne are engaged to. alone"
Nonsense. Madame de st. Geran will
chaperon you if you still want a chap
ereu,' added the agreeable husband. with
10 sheer. She knows every friend and
acquaintance we have in Paris
4 Madame de St Geran was an old friend
and fame of Francis Clayton $, and she
had for some reason tolerated what she
called her English bear" Francis Clay
tton, assuming the privileges OF an old
friend, paid her most unfashionably
iearly visit, and she received him in a
demi-toilet of elegant simplicity in her
own boudoir. and was most graciously
pleased to aecede to his request.
Tell madame. your wife" she said. in
parting, that at nine o'clock this evening
] shall have the honor to call for her TO
take her to the opera and afterward TO
the ball given by the Duchess de Beau
sour"
/ And Francis Clayton bent over her
hand and kissed it in a manner that
might have edited and astouished ma
dame. his wife. Then he returned TO the
hotel, delivered the message TO Fee. babe
her good-by. and kissing her coldly, jump
ed into his braugham. which was in at
tendance to convey him 10 the station.
Madame de st. Geran called for Mrs.
Clayton at the appointed time, aud they
spent two hours very pleasantly at the
opera. during which several gentlemen
oil their acquaintance dropped in to see
them. and paid their court to either lady.
as taste or diplomacy suggested. Once
or twice the Frenc'lwoman looked curl
ously az her lovely companion. who for
ence was as bright and sparkling as in
the olden days.
How is it possible" she thought. for
a man to be indifferent to creature so
divinew
They had seen enough of the opera, and
their carriage being called they drove
off to the bali. In the first room Mrs.
Clayton met with Mr.. Hastings. She
IL his arm. and they joined the dancers.
My husband is away" she whispered,
and shall dance tonight to my hearts
content. II he were here he wonld not
bet me-"
The dance was over. and they were
wandering together through the magni-
feent Conservatives th8t led from the
ballroom. Suddenly air, Hastings felt
his companions hand tFemhle violently
on his arm. and he looked down quickly
into her face. 1t was crimson with
bushes. The words, Are you ilIF'' were
on his lips, but at that moment he caught
sight of Col d'Aguilar advancing. and
was Ciscreetiy silent. A quick glance,
an undecided bow. passed between them,
and they both moved on, When Mrs.
Clayton returned to find Madame 10 st.
Geran, Col. Il Agullar formed one Of the
knot of men who stood talking witt her.
They were obliged to speak then; and
against her better judgment, against her
own resolve, she went back to the bali
room on his arm. They were perfectly
discreet, their conversation was simply
such that the ,lerest acquaintances might
have held; the danger was in the fasei-
nation the presence of each had for the
other. She did not dance with him any
more than she did with Mr.. Hastings; but
when sac went home she reproached her
self bitterly for the time she hal spent in
his society. while she never gave a sin
gle thought to Enrol Hastings.
1t was three weeks before Mr. Clayton
retu. ned ~ Paris for his wife. and dur
ing that time she met Col. d Aguilar al
most every day.
Fee wanted to do her duty-wanted
with all her might. IF Francis Clayton
had been a little Kind and forbearing to
her, she would never have suffered a
thought even to be false TO him But ne
aas cruel, tyrannical and suspicious and
and--weIl she almost hated him Now
and then she would make great effort
ard strive to be good and patient and
Keep from NNFA& Cling H&tL itAtA ENA Ht
was so bearish and iil-tempered that hen
design Away failed She was making
fresh resolve as she sat looking pensive.
iy into tire Ere, on this particular morn
ing. but III Of a sudden her thoughts were
most I'm, xpectedly put to flight by the
abrupt entrance of her husband
.'Fra'icisy' she exclaimed. rising anG
kissing him.
Yes. | suppose you did not expect
me. What a wretch q IRE. l am almost
frozen. and the room is as cold as death
Ring the bell and order ;ue some lunch.
/ terrible fear seized on Fee Iii h,
was angry and jealous aboot Mr., Hase
ings, what weuid he say when ne knew
that during his absence she had beer
constant in the society Of Col. Il Agui
lar9 S4e had never fully realized he
imprudence until this moment. VIVA
could she do? IL she told him, he wa
certain to be very violent; if she conceal
ed it. and he became aware of 1t. tn
consequences might be terrible. 1T /
better to get it off my mind at once" sh
determined.
MIR hastings was here this morning
dear He cave 10 wish me sood-by."
In Anticipation of my return, l sup
pose
Really. Francis. / have scarcely com
mon patience with you. What a poo
opinion you must have of yourself to II
50 suspicious, Mr.. Hastings is going t
England on business. and Col. d'Aguila
is going with him"
"D'Agnilar"' cried Francis Clayton
starting has be been hereF'
Yes"
And you have met himy'
Yes"