Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-02-19
CHAPTER XIX.

every luxury that Sbe idd Oeth 'SHHS
toned to. and to keep her m manner
betting her station. She could not PIE
tend any deep sorrow for the loss OF
mau who had been cruel, neglec'ful ann
almost brutal to her; but the time she
had been absent from him had ~ meas
are softened the harshncss Of the prevl-
Gus memories. and the sad rate which
had overraken him forbade in her forEiv-
ing heart the angry remembrance of past
wrongs
Perhaps. aunt" she said, in low, re-
gretful voice. IF | had been more for
bearing and less provoking to him he
might have been different all the time.
Lady Marion looked up from her hook
1T is always right, dear. to think kind
Iy of people who are gone. and ! should
feel it wrong 10 speak against Francs
Clayton now; but cannot help thinking
that no amount of goodness or gentleness
could have touched heart 50 bitter aud
cynical as his,
Mrs Maxwell declined absolutely to be
present at Winifred's wedding. As she
was utterly Indifferent Nc to the favor
or disfavor of her relatio she did not
ltpdpAG W AIdht hNs EANlrSF hNt Nh'''t
ed herself with saying she did not feel
inclined to be one Of The party.
Il always dislil<ed the girl, aud thought
her intriguante." she wrote to her moth
er. at would be a perfect farce for me
to be present at her marriage. have
mot the least sympathy with her success
although admit she has played her
cards we'll
The wedding was none the less happy
or magnificent for Mrs. MaSweil's abb
sence; everyone pronounced it very
splendid affair; and this time the sympa-
thies of all were enlisted for the bride
aud Bridegroom were both young aud
handsome and happy, Sir Howard gave
Wiaifred away. and her husband reeeiv-
ed her with infinite gladness and tender
ness. All the farmers and villagers came
round to see Miss Eyre. that they had
known from a child" married.
At HAZEL Court there were great fes-
tiyities: dinners for all the tenants, and
games and fireworks in the evening. and
real military band from London.
Captain lie Marchant was best man, of
course; Ada Fordyee chief bridesmaid,
and Lord Harold Erskine was able TO be
present without suffering any pangs Of
jealousy. He was to be married himself
in months time. Madame lie Monte
lieu had actually been persuaded to be
present at the wedding.
When we come back you will always
live with US, dear madame Winifred
had said
Not yet, my love" the old Lady an
swered. Young people are best by hem
selves at FIRST. shall ask Lady Grace
10 keep me q little longer; and then, = il
six months or a years time yon care to
have me. | shall rejoice to come to you"
The spring had come round again. and
Mfr. and Mrs. Hastings were at HAZEL
Court. Mrs. Clayton was staying with
them. She was herself again now-not
so bright aud sparkling, perhaps, as in
the old days, brs very sweet and good.
She and Wmifred were sitting together
in the green morning room as the twilight
was coming on.
~ think the old Court is decidedly i'm
prot ed BY the pvesence OF mistress"
said Mrs, Clayton presently II always
thought it charming now il Is perfect"
iWinifred laughed a short, happy laugh.
oh, do you really think so? 1t seems
TO me the place ought 10 have a much
grander mistress tlan l. Fancy a girl
drought up to a simple country life com
ing 10 such state and grandeur, | feel
as If | ought to he like Lady Burlegh,
and. instead OF making myself so thor
oughiy st home to pine away and die"
1T is a good thing Enrol is not here
10 hear you. or he would be very angry
a your saying such foolish things. II
ever anyone was born with 4 thorough
appreciation Of the pomps ana vanities Of
the world il is you, | think It makes
me laugh when | remember how you used
tn preach to me about love in n cottage,
and marrying the man you loved il he
had not a shilling
And 50 | would have married Enrol If
~ bad been as poor aS-----"
BE thankful, ma belle that your love
WIS not pat TO such terrible test"
There was silence for few moments
aud then Mrs. Clayton spoke again. with
voic~ that betrayed some agitation:
"Wiuifred, did you ever know how
much | cared for Col. dAguilart"
II knew he cared a great zeal for you.
Fee"
And you thought because | could not
min. that did not love him."
Nay. Fee. | would not say that
well then" cried Mrs Clayton. i'm.
petuonsly. Il tell you | loved him both
before and after married Francis Clay
ston-hetter after, perhaps, than before.
Il may as well confess the whole: am
not afraid of your repeating it. When I
was so miserable We met again in Lon
don. and it seemed my only comfort to
get his sympathy for my trouble. At
last we parted. with the intention OF not
meeting again. have never seen or heard
OF him since. can CUES why he keeps
away"
You think he does not like to seek
sou because you are rich as well as
free?" Wiajfred suggested.
AIRS. Clayton bent her head.
And ! want you TO do something for
,aDe she said. after 3 pause.
80 ask him here, darliug:" said Wini
fred, gently.
Yes" answered Fee, simply.
Enrol shall write to him at once
know he likes him. ] suppose he is il
England
Il should think SO. and Mrs Clayton
rose slowly and left the room
Presently Mr.. Hastings came in.
Enrol said his wife
Yes, my pet.
1 want you to write al once and in
-vlte Col. j Asuilar 20 come and stay"
DO you. dear-why: -
Never mind You are not 90 ask any
questions. | cannot tell you the reasons
--at all events NOT now"