Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-23
CHAPTER X.

time, and sent for Col. Dunbar and beg
ged him to make all excuses TO his wife
for his hurried departure.
No need of false excuses now. Fate
had played into his hand again. For
moment he hesitated as 10 whether he
should see Beryl or not, finally resolved
that he would. and sent her penciIed
note begging her to come TO him for
few moments in the library
The room was quite deserted. Every
one was dressing, and the county guests
had not arrived. Wondering greatly at
the message, Beryl, who did not intend
to change her simple dinner dress. left
her room and came as he had asked her.
He was pacing up and down the il
brary in terrible agitation. The ghastli-
ness and suffering OF bis face almost
| frightened her as she saw il.
He came up and placed the telegram in
her hands.
Il leave in half an hours time" he
said.
She read it. and her face changed
/ Il am 80 sorry" she faltered. And
| your mOther?"
1T will be a great blow to her" said
Ivor. sadly. But l cannot speak of that
now. II sent for you TO warn you.
That foreign spy saw US in the conserva
| tory, as | feared. He puts the worst
construction possible ON our interview.
| Oh, my dear. don't look like that, 1t
cuts me TO the heart
He has spoken-told you this?" she
| cried. growing very white. For what
| purpose?"
| Ivor was silent for a moment wonder
| ing how much be dared tell her or how
| little.
II think he is safe" ne said. hur-
riedly; but il = bcs. not to make an
enemy of him. End / thought would
warn you. oh, beryl." he added sorrow
/ fully, II can never forgive myself for
bringing all this misery upon you, and /
can't even shield you without making
| things worse"
He looked at her with all his soul in
! his longing eyes He had been faithful
| to a dream 50 long. had struggled so
| bravey. and all for this
| Tell me-" he cried. is there any way
can help you-is there anything I can
! do?"
! She shook her head.
Nothing; and do not reproach your
self. l am quite as much to blame. And
WY sAOAAA we AtsAA TINS man W HdfE
done no wrong in the sight of God or
man. We low our weakness, and, once
knowing It. esolved to suffer sooner than
| to yield Way" she went on. looking up
| in his face with her brave, sweet smile
II would myself tell my husband all that
/ has passed between US, so sure am |
| that he could not but excuse it."
All, my dear" said Iyor sadly, you
l I,sRtk fNF "a.
of :ay self-betrayal brands me as scoun-
/ drel in the eyes of others who have only
| had to look on, while | have had to en-
dure. oh, it is all so hard, 1t seems
cowardly TO run away and leave You TO
face unknown dangers and unknown
| foes; to be alone, and | can't come TO
You; to suffer, and | cant aid you; to
want help, sympathy, counsel, and l
daren't give them you! II must not
even ask you 70 write
NO" she said, turning very pale, and
remembering how precious and how well
come had l-en those letters during her
year of absence-how full of thought and
kindness. and every trihlng detail that
might interest or amuse her in her exile
from her dsrliugs. No. that would not
do. Our parting must be complete as It
is final"
NO, don't say that he cried. passion
ately. 1T is like sending me out to meet
my death blow Somewhere. somehow
even II the time be very far off shall
hope TO see You again. ThinS what
hard thing | am doing for yul now.
leave you because my love might harm
you. and | would not have even the
shadow Of dishonor fan upon your head,
You know that. DO You nott" bending
and Selling her hands and looking down
into her appraised face with eyes that
tears had dimmet.
"Oh. yes" she said. with a little pitfIl
sob. ''You-you are fsr too good to me
you have always been"
II wish ! had the right. my dearest. 3"
he said. tenderly. For | would work
for you, care for you, live for you. as l
think no man on earth could ever do.
But il is not 20 be- he added, with n
heavy sigh. You might judge how |
love you il you only knew what it costs
me 10 say-good by"
in all your sorrow now-you cap still
think OF me-" she faltered. and inyol-
unfairly her hand went up to de the
slow, hot tears Of weakness gathering in
her eyes.
>
simply and earnestly - told you | had
done so from the first hour We met. |
am not romantic fellow, or one who
, talks much about his feelings, but | jid
feel a changed man from that hour
though TO You ! was only a languid, idle
fop. whose character you gauged more
, accurately than he did yours
Not that-oh. never thar" she said
/ flushing crimson IL was mistaken.
In My Lord Coneeit? l hope SO.
dear. He has a grain OF something bet
ter in his heart, though he might never
have known it but for yoE.
/ "You--you have found that QUIZ she
cried. stepping back and paiine and Grim
soning alternately as she met his eyes.
Yes: told you I should il you dched
me. Now. no more tears; | can't bear
TO add to your unhappinesS. If ever YOU
need me, be cutie sure you can always
! trust me, and that l should never mis-
judge you-never. thougn the whole