Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-02-05
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. r : = = vv+7

J on know all is over between us'
81 should like to speak Just this once.
dear; and if you will hear me. | will be
silent in future. | know that Enrol loved
you very dearly cannot but believe You
cared for him. Do not let some foolish
trifie, some false pride, mar the happiness
of all your life"'
Mrs. Clayton spoke with intense earn
estness, and when she finished, tears of
passionate regret stood in Winifred' S
eyes.
at is too late. Fee! You do not I'M
derstand. Your words only make me
more miserable"
why too later
Because | behaved wickediy to him;
because he must despise me, and because
he viii 90 and marry that French woman.
who loves him and let's him see it,
did you refuse him. them
Don't ask me, Fee, | think my pride
blinded me. If could atone for it now
| think 1 would ask him ~ my knees to
marry me. can tell you ths TRUE story.
| know you love me and would not will
ngIy pain me. | have sealed my fate
with my own folly, Do not ever speak
about it again"
1t was nearly the end Of September
when Mr. Hastings called ole afternoon
at Endon Vale AS he rode up the ave
nue. he met Mrs. Clayton sauntering
down it.
MIR. HastingsT' she cried, with real
pleasure In her voice; Il have wanted to
see you such long time"
He dismounted and walked along by
her side, leading his splendid bay horse.
There is nobody at home hat me
they are all gone to picnic, and should
have been with them but for one of my
bad headaches"
''It is better now, trust. You do not
look ill.,"
mo; l am getting quite strong here.
Lady Grace is so good to me. and Wini-
fred" she added, looking sidelong at him
~ think never knew any one so sweet
and thoughtful"
She noted the slightest culver Of his
lip, but he said nothing-merely bent his
head as though in polite acquiescence.
'Will You not come into the house?'
she asked.
mot unless you are going" and they
went together into what was called the
lawn garden.
"Am l to congratulate your she said.
looking up at him suddenly.
Congratulate me, Mrs. Ciaytong' he
repeated after her. On whatT'
II heard you were going to marry she
Princess Zelikoff."
Then some one has been taking an un-
warrantable liberty with the Princess
Zelikoff's uame."
''Not altogether unwarrantable, Mr..
Hastings"
Surely. yes. am quite certain that
she never gave the slightest foundation
for such a report"
Come. confess now that it looks rather
suspicious when gentleman takes lady
a cruise in his yacht
"My dear Mrs Clayton. what do you
mean?"
did not your cousin and the princess
accompany you on your yachting expedi-
tion?"
Most certainly not. Nc one went with
me but lie Marchant and Ashburton."
Mrs Clayton looked rather blank, but
felt secretly pleased.
she said, laughing And. forgive my
pertinacity; but, seriously. you are not
engaged to the priacessT'
Il am not. feel greatly vexed that
there should ] ave even been a discussion
about the ma tier"
Mrs. Clayton sat down on a garden
bench she was silent for moment, and
then, looking up in her companions face.
said, with some hesitation:
I'VE are old friends. Errol-are we
not?'
I'VE are, indeed. he returned. smiling,
witt some surprise.
May I take an old friends liberty q
she asked again, with still more hesita-
ton.
"You may do anything that you wish
or please he answered.
And you promise not to be offended"
Il promise sacredly."
THANK you. Then, Enrol. | am going
to say something exceedingly distasteful
to myself and perhaps painful to you for
which some one else would, ! think, never
forgive me, ! am hold-am not?r
You are eaigmatieal, Mr.. Hastings
replied. still smiling
Il like you very sincerely: love her. -
Mrs. Clayton went on, hastily, "aud |
want you both to be happy; therefore !
am about to perform 4 Quixotlc action.
which may be the means of losing me
your friendship and her love. see sou
frowni perhaps you guess of whom am
speaking"
Il would rather have a certainty than
a surmise." he said, graYely: "tes nae. if
you please
Il speak Of Winlfred Eyre, My task
is all the more difficult because do not.
in truth. know. nor can guess at the
circumstance which has caused your es,
arrangement DO not be angry with me
Enrol, / must ask you one quest,on--dc
you love her p
Il love her" he said, seeming to force
the words from unwilling lips, but am
trying to forget her
But. Enrol. If goa thought she cared
for you. would yoJ sill! try to forget
herr"
Il cannot answer you.' he said. speak
/ ing abruptly, after pause. Miss Eyre
/ is not what thought her I believed bel
to be sweet, and gracious. and womanIy
and | have found her hard. and proud
| aa1 eold"'
/ "0h. Enrol, yen mistake-she Is ueish
/ err"
SHE is to me-" he said. sternly.
! Mrs Clayton waited for some moments
IF | might onlg tell you" she sad II
great porpleSity. She broke down one,
/ when we we're speaking of yoa. She 'on
| Jemned her own false pride bitterly. ~,
saii you must hate herr that She
And Mrs Clayton stopped suddenly II
/ her r4ul3 urfgrauea fc..I5ne 8, farril,li