Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-16


he stopped and lifted her face, and at
last read its meaning.
80 you, too, share my sorrow and my
joy" he whispered in a strange, stiiied
voice. And yet-and yet you bid me
go.n
II must, she cried, desperately. What
else is there for US to DO but part? Since
we have sinned. we must also suffer-
Il wish the suffering were only mine.
he said, passionately; you have had so
much already, and |. who would so gladly
lift your burden, can only add to it."
Let me go now said Beryi, lifting
her face in its shy and sudden shame.
and striving to unclasp the strong and
trembling hands that made so sweet a
prison. Il must be mad-what am |
thinking off,
There came a sudden, stealthy step
on the marble floor. and as they started
apart. pale as with consci us guilt. a
face looked at them through the screen
Of plants and boughs and flowing shrubs
beyond.
That BLACKBOARD herer muttered Iyor
Grant, with uneomplimentary fervor.
Count Savonaw cried Beryl, growing
Wblte as UealH.
AT your service, madame" said the
/ suave, silky voice OF the Italian. rs it
permitted to observe that the dinner
hour is close at hand, and the ladies are
coming down en- toilette? Madame's
maid is inquiring everywhere for her"
Bery bowed hastily and rushed off.
The Count watched her with that smile
that Ivor knew and hated.
Madame is as charming as ever. Is
she still a--grass widow?' be said.
Ivor termed on his heel and walked
away.
Appearances must be kept up. There
was no time for debate or discussion. He
knew he must face people. dine, talk, act
as IL nothing had happened-try, il pos
sible, to screen Beryl from the conse-
quences of his own folly-throw dust in
the eyes of that hateful spy whose evil
smile had been to him the tirsl revelation
of what the world would say and think,
did it guess his secret or hers.
He went down to dinner, entering the
room late, and taking his seat far from
Beryl Marsden, yet not so far but that
his eyes caught sight of the fair, sad
face and noted, with a sudden flush Of
and maidenhair at her breast.
The Count Savona was opposite TO him,
and caught the look and the flush. and
smiled cynically.
What transparent fools men in love
are" he thought to himself. How well
they arranged to meet here. those two.
l scarcely expected to find them so quick
ly. 1t is not a bad idea to get both
mother and son into my tolls, though he's
more difficult subject to manage. No
fool at bottom, whatever he looks. Curse
his impudence aud coneeitf
Tongues were running riot; laughter
and discussion were at their height
Beryrs unusual silence and Ivor Grant 5
unusual gayety met with no comment.
Everyone was talking of the tableaux
and the costumes and the various difficult
ties arising from them.
II was not until the ladies' had left,
and the men drawn closer around the Ia
HE, that lyor Grant managed to get
near his host and whisper:
"Cosmo. how did that Italian count get
here?"
-Brookes brought him." said Col. Dun
bar, in some surprise. why, what's
the matter with him? Nothing wrong.
hope?"
Not that I'm aware Of" said Ivor
Grant. Struggling his shoulders. as ne
/ leaned back again in his chair, only Il
hate him.
His host looked at linn in astonish-
meut.
You! My dear fellow thought you
were too lazy and too Indifferent to dis
/ like anyone. What's he doneg'
Nothing that's just it," said Iyor.
/ coolly. But one may see a snake lying
curled up at ones feet, and shrink back
/ from it with repulsion, NOT for what It's
/ done. but for what it would do if it Lad
the chance. That's how felt toward
+ the man.
You surprise me, said the Colonel,
/ with a somewhat uneasy glance at the
+ pale. handsome face of the Italian. OF
course, | know nothing about him. Bur
he's only going 10 stay a few days, and
Brookes says he's a capital fellow. so
/ clever and accomplished, and all that.
BY the way I'll tell you u good joke My
/ wife was telling me before dinner that
she aud Mrs Marsden had a-bet. was
/ it?-weit. something Of the sort-about
your finding out nickname she gave yoa
the FIST time YOU met Madge SAYS twas
at our house. | don't know about that,
but women have such deuced memories
Tor details, Well Madge lsas growing
over this, for She SAID as only she aud
, BerSl knew, you e, I'D never find out
But the stupid little puss forgot she'd
told me the same night. for she thought
the name suited yea TO a T.
And what was il - asked Iyor parpr.
IT,
oh, no. no; honor among thieves.
said the Colonel, laughing. Il mustn't
tell YOU, bat III write it down"
Done" said IEor. quickly producing
a pencil and tablet.
Il haven't told you. have 2 said the
Colonel. chucllng over his own clever.
ness. Il 10 Ike to cireumyent womcR
they re SO uncommon sharp. or at least
think they are
lie handed the tablet back 10 Gyor as
he spoke. aud. with the color rising no;
and swift TO his brow. he read the words
written thcre-"My Lord Conceit"
Good. wasn't it:' laughed the Colonel
~ on were very haw-haw looking indi
vidual ia those days. don't You know. Had
a trick Of h1lf-closius your eyes and look.
ing at people as ii it was too much trou
bic. She hit you OIL capitally"
Yes, said lyor, pltiing tile tablet
back int ms pocket she read me very
correctly
His heart WAS sore aud panied. II,
felt sharp sense ot humiliation ms ht
thought of that uight. and how De ma,
mentally fallen down at her feet In invol