Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-22
CHAPTER XIV.


my dear, that our original plan was to
leave for London on the 2Sth, and Sir
Clayton never likes his plans interfered
with"
On the 25th Of April Winifred return
ed to Endon Vale, very sorry to leave
her friend, but with almost a sense OF
relief at being freed from the obnoxious
society of Mr.. Clayton. Everyone vel
coined her with open arms: the house had
not seemed the same without her-it lack
ed the sunshine, as the old French lady
said.
On the day appointed Sir Clayton and
Lady Grace Farquhar and Miss Eyre
arrived at Eaton Square and were duly
announced in the fashionable chronicles.
A new life suddenly opened on the girl
who had spent all her young years in
such quiet not to say motonony. She
found it very pleasant, although not al
together what It had been in her dreams
two years before.
Her debut was to take place at the
house Of Miss Douglas, Lord Harold
Erskine's aunt. lady occupying a very
decided position in the fashionable world.
and the entree to whose entertainment ;
was very generally desired. Lady Sra 2
was anxious that her protege should 10 Ok
her best
When Winifred appeared, dressed. on
the night Of the ball, Lady Grace had
no reason to regret having allowed her
to exercise her own taste. Her dress was
Of marvellous wilderness and softness,
almost like snow clouds, end here and
there over It were the s1ftest white feath-
- L. 1 III Tsatf -,
snow.
Very late in the evening Mr.. Hastings
appeared. As he entered the ballroom he
caught sight OF Winifred talking in a
very animated manner to Lord Harold
Ia an interval Of waltzing. He stood and
watched her intently: until tonight he
bad never thought her beautiful. He had
loved her for her grace, for her pride
for her innocence; but as she looked and
smiled now, he felt she had greater
claim to general admiration than he had
ever dreamed Of
And she might have been my wife
now" he thought. How l should have
loved her-h0w proud should have been
of her. | wonder if she really cares for
that fellow Erskine:'
At this moment a voice said close 10
his ear, as though he speaker had d.
vined his thoughts:
viii it be a match, do you think?''
He turned with an angry start. and
met the hooking gaze OF Flora Cham
pion.
You mean Gray and Miss Went
WORTH think il very probable" Mr.
Hastings answered, CURLY.
sDh 10 bav zf,J dnubf
meant Lord Harold Erskine and-aud his
partner
Il eannot form the slightest suFlnise
Your cousin"-and he spoke the word
Pointedy-"g5gr cousin is very beautiful,
and may even 30 better.
Perhaps be chosen by the descendant
Of all the Hastings?' she asked, with
a scornful laugh.
Your penetration seems unusually at
fault tonight Miss Champion" he re-
turned. coIdly: but pardon me. the dance
is over. | am Scing to seek q partner
for the aext; your card is full, | see
and he moved of before Flora had time
10 intimate her willingness TO exchange
mis- name on her program with that of
aess eligible aspirant. She bit her lip
angriIy as she saw him cross straight
over TO whore her cousin stood, and bend
to speak with her. She could not but
remark the tender Difference OF his bear
ing toward the country girl whom she de-
spised, and whom she well remembered
ignoring TO him as only a formers daugh-
ter She turned to the quiet, InIddle-aged
man on whose arm she leaned. and began
20 talk to him with some Of her old
brightness and vivaeity. He listened
with admiring attention, but had very
little 10 say in reply. Flora felt mex
pressibly bored.
This man is a dolt" she said to her
self, angrily; the idea even Of all his
money scarcely reconciles me to the hor-
rihle tedium of spending SO much time
in his company
Mr.. Maxwell was an excessively I'M
interesting rich bachelor of two-and-
forty He gave one an impression of
weakness and Welding that made it a
matter Of surprise he had been allowed
to remain SO long in the unblessed estate
OF bacheiorhood. He had met Flora
Champion several times and had admired
her
lie is rich, she said to herself; he is
as weak rs water, and he is greedy
three admirable qualities for husband
whom you DO not want to care about.
Why sn.uld | not marry him2'
Meanwhile Mr.. Hastings has crossed
oger to where Winfield was standing
engaged ia laughing conversation with
Lord Harold bright smile on her lips
aud apparently very happy. She did not
see Enrol until he came up to her. aud
then she stopped in a sentence and chang
ed color. She felt quick thrill of pleas
ure when she saw his handsome face
bent on her with genuine admiration
Some sudden thought Of forgetting her
pride and yielding TO her love came slrg-
ing into her brain; and then her second
new. unnatural self rebelel, aud she
greeted hi,a with a cold, Indifferent smile
You wall dance with me. WinifredT'
he whispered, rs Lord Harold turned to
speak to someone behind him.
Il am engaged for every dance. thank
YOU"
May 1 come and cali in Eaton
square,"
Il dare say Lady Grace will be pleas
ed to see you
But your
1T is my duty to be pleased to see any
and all of Lady Farquhar's CUES -
You are NOT natural, Miss Eyre-you
are strangely altered from the generous,
large.hearted, true Winifred I knew two
years ago"
Is it well for ignorant ooHntrv girls
to be trustfulT' she aske,., with quick
scorn. IF they are generous. do they
always meet with like generosity from
J.. rfs.,..r .,4