Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-03-05
BY "RIT A"

oak chimney piece and smiled furtiyely
beneath his heavy mustache.
"A clever woman" he thought to him
self; "she braves it out well. But we shall
see--we shall see."
MAY | give you some tea, Count"
said the clear, well-bred voice of the
hostess.
He bowed low. His eyes met hers.
with pleasure, madame"
my dear Ivor," she found an opportu-
later. what made you bring a foreigner
here in the shooting season? You know
they can never understand a gun"
ION the contrary, my dear mother"
laughed Ivor gaily. "the noble British
institution OF 'Ie sport and Ia boxe' are
becoming quite popular among our neigh
boris"
Have you known him long|
"No. I've not known him long. He
was everywhere this season. The women
rave about him. He is a sort Of universal
genius. | met him at L 'hess Mays;
you know your little protege who mar
ried---"
Yes, yes" said Mrs. Grant. Il know
all that. But hope this man is all right.
| mean"
Her sons astonished glance stopped
her.
My dear mother, what has come to
your OF course he's all right. Good
family, plenty of money. all the talents.
Why, everyone's running after him."
The next morning all was hustle and
preparation. The sportsmen met at early
breakfast. attired in rough homespuns
and tweeds. and full Of Englishmen's ex-
element at the prospect Of something
to kill" The preserves were pronounced
to be in splendid condition by the keep
ers, the soft. gray, hazy sky gave fair
promise of fine weather than one more
brilliant would have done. Hot coffee
and omelettes were being swallowed
down with a speed too hasty for appre-
citation, and at the head of the table sat
the proud. fair woman whom Count Sa-
vona's eyes increasingly watched.
She looked so calm, so serene. sc an
troubled, that it was difficult to associate
her with anything dark or mysterious.
Only certain nervous tremor about the
firm lips, studied avoidance Of one
face showed that there was something
beneath the perfect composure OF her
outward Notwithstanding that only
a very close and watchful eye could have
observed.
Breakfast over. the party dispersed. Sir
Hector. who was still a keen sportsman,
despite his three score years, accompan
led them. The Court was deserted, and
Mrs. Grant was free to retire 10 her own
morning room. overlooking the park. She
was no useless fine lady, but a woman
with good brains and sound Judgment,
and she detested idleness and frivolity as
only such women can. This morning.
however, when her orders had been given
and her correspondence answered, she
seemed unable to settle to any of he
usual avocations; a strange restlesSness
possessed her. She started at every sound.
At last, rendered desperate by this rest
lessness. she dressed herself for walking
and went out
The trees were already growing bare
and leafess. The early days of Ssptem-
Der had been heralded by fierce gales and
much rain. and the golden pomp Of the
autumn woods had suffered severely. She
took her way through the beautiful elm
tree avenue that was one of the glorics
of the Court. and followed it for fully a
mile. She had set out with the inten-
ton of going TO the village, but suddenly
altered her mind. and turned off into one
of the glades, where the fern grew high
almost as a mans elbow. and the great
trees shut out the faint sunlight. oursu-
ing a narrow footpath, she came at last
to an opening in the wood. The old
Court faced her fully where she stood:
but though her eyes caught sight of it
with the sense of something long known
and familar. their startled glance never
rested on it. so ii seemed to her. but was
caught and arrested midway by a figure
standing just a few PAGES beyond-the
figure OF man leaning lightly on his
gun. and gazing with a curious intentness
at the distant building. The sound OF
her step made him turn. Their eyes met.
A smile of triumph crossed his lips.
He lifted his hat and advanced. Pale.
startled she looked full into the dark
face and smiling eyes; an involuntary ex-
cIamation escaped her lips:
II thought you went for a days shoot
ing. CountT'
The day is not half over yet, mad
anne" he said, with that curious foreign
intonation that always sent SILVER Of
remembered pain through her veins whcn-
ever she heard il. 1t was so like-so like
voice of her long past youth. This
is an unexpected pleasure" he continued;
Il knew that | must request half an
hours private conversation with you
soon, but l hardly thought chance would
favor me so RAPIDLY. You are surprised
to see me- left the sportsmen but half
an hour or so back. am not what you
English call keen on it. Besides, is it
not cruel-a little? The poor, harmless
things Autt2 hg at our mercy, helpless
In our power. like woT"ea. it seems to
me. If madame viii ex Use my compari-
son.
Madame continued to look over him,
away from him, anywhere, but at him.
with cold, unsmling eyes. and face set
in stern. rigid lines. as il she held her
self in a determined self-coutr0l no word
of his should break.
You wish TO speak to me-wl.ai
aboutf"
lie smiled, the same singular, iRScr5ta-
Bile smile that was like a mask 10 hi'
face, revealing nothing, yet expressing
much.
"Wha about? Need you ask that
/ Have we not many things in common OF
/ which TO converss?'
"None-now. My past Is utterly blot
( ted ont, ! have nothing to do except
[ forget 1t. | only know that yoI hay,
/ come here As my sons guest What cir
/ cumstances have led TO your reception il
( London society under your present nam,
( | ana at loss 70 imagine but il con
( sent to your presence here, it is from no
! fear Of what you know, remember that