Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-09


she went on somewhat abruptly. that
your mother will be very lonely up at the
Court, spending Christmas by herself?
/ think you ought to have gone 10 her.
For a moment he was silent. He had
paused before plant of white heath,
and was cutting a spray Of il with the
scissors he had taken from her hand.
Il had reason for not going he said,
his voice very low and stern.
WAS it a sufficiently god reason to
allow Of your paining herr"
Il thought So" he answered, mechan-
ically arranging tine beautiful waxen
blossom with some loose green, feathery
grass.
But she did not. Her letters tell me
that"
"Sbe does not know" he said, sternly.
IF she did she would have been the first
to counsel me to keep my resolution.
There are dangers from which brave
man fees, and at which a coward
laughs"
What danger Is there at the COurt?"
asked Berry,, looking at him in surprise.
None now" he said, with a little,
mirthless laugh. II fed il, and 1t pur-
sued me-"
1T is not-not Count Sayona?' asked
Beryl, unfeignedly surprised at any APP
pearance of mystery in one usually SO
frank and open hearted as Ivor Grant.
The flowers were nearly arranged Tor
now He was mingling some sprays of
maidenhair fern with the delicate heath
and soft, feathery grass. He handed
them to her as she turned her anxious
eyes to his in that involunts question,
and something in his gaze its pain,
its passion, its sudden lifting Of the veil
that had so long hidden las hearts mad
ness--smote her with sense Of terror
and of shame.
NO. he said, low ard bitterly, mot
Count Savona. VIII you have these flow
ers?"
Sic took them without a word. She
was trembling greatly They walked on
again. scarcely needing where they went.
The warm air was full of dr0wsy intox-
ieation-the brea III of the flowers seemed
sweet and subtle as the breath of that
struggling passion surging in their hearts
aud rushing to their lips They could
hear nothing, see nothing, think of moth
ing. The whole world in that moment
seemed only-each other.
The situation was perilous, pathetic,
infinitely tragic. Ten minutes before, and
neither had dreamed of taxing human
weakness to the very verge Of human en-
durance.
Silence vas around them silence in
the air AID the flowers, and on their
seated and trembling lipsa silence that
seemed TO turn all the realities of life into
dreams, and leave only the tumutuoHs,
intoxicating prescienee of a joy they dar-
ed not fathom.
The moments passed Ivor Grant was
but a mana man who had judged of
temptations. laughed at them. perchance,
but never faced one so fiery and so peril
Gus as this. Resolves, control, reason
all went down like withes in the grasp
of a fire Something mighty as a giant
wrestled in his heart and tore its way up
wards through a thousand emotions aud
a whirlwind of feeling.
Listen he said. Il would not go
to the Court because I wished to avoid
you; because the friendship promised
was only an empty name II could not
act the lie any longer know you would
see the change-would wonder xonld
perhaps, question me. and so. not to meet
you, l fed. The l.est--yon know"
Still she did not speak. The blood
ebbed back to her face and great tears
burned behind her dropped and sorrowfuI
eyes. but of all the words flaming and
surging in her heart she could not frame
one.
Il have angered,-offended you. You
will hate me uowr' cried Iyor. bitterly.
Hate you" Only stifed murmur, a
quick glance. then the flowers dropped
on to the marble floor. her hands went
up to cover her face. and she sank down
on seat sobbing as if her heart would
| break.
You were the only friend had" she
cried between those stifed sobs. "Oh,
why why did you tell me this?"
Because | could not help it," he said
hoa ,ely. II have kept it in long enough,
beaye,. knows. 1t is beyond my strength
any loager You would pity me if you
| knew how | have suffered. Your heart
is buried with your children; but mine
| think gave you mine the frst hour we
met. 1t has been yours ever since"
Her sobs ceased. She lifted her head
| and looked at him.
rs that true? And all these years
| and th. woman you told me Of the WON
an you lived, and said was-deadT'
WAS yourself Beryl."
(To be continuedJ