Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-03-12


way between the gIittering light and the
glittering carpet. On one shoulder perch,
ed a child another chung to her hand
and lifted a laughing face to follow the
direction of the other hand, uplifted to
the cloudIess vault above, whence the
tiny speck that had uttered the days first
greeting was fiuttering earthwsrd once
again
The watching eyes gazed first curiously,
then eagerly, then with a fash of recogni-
ton that lit Up the whole face.
rs it possible?' he said, below his
breath, and something within him leaped
like a giant force over a space Of inter
vening years. and urged him to pursue
it; and. so guided, he sprang over the low
hedge and stood face to face with Wis
ion that had haunted him me . persistent
~ than he had ever known till now.
A strange meeting of two people who
had last spoken to each other In a Lon
don drawing room; last seen each other
well, the strange, cold pang in the
mans breast brought back that scene dis
tinctly enough, chilling in some degree
the rapture that had been all the first
sight OF the remembered face had
brought.
How could you recollect mel? she
said. her face flushed like a June rose,
her eyes--those sweet. remembered eyes
bright as stars, only solemn and dark,
as surely no stars ever were Five
years ago. Why. it is an age! Even
Madge hardly remembered me-Mrs.
Dunbar. you know. Have you seen her
lately? How is it you are hereT'
What string of questions! Am to
answer them all? To begin with, rec
objected you at once. well, have a
good memory for faces. As for Mrs.
Dunbar, have not seen her for two
years. | resigned, you know. and have
been living here with my mother. She
is great invalid. and"
Then his voice suddenly broke. Meet
ing those glorious eyes once more his
heart throbbed so strangely aud wildly
that he grew confused and forgot even
of whatAhe was speaking.
Are those your children?'' he asked,
abruptly.
Yes, she said, and looked down with
all mothers adoring pride at the RULED
curis and shy face hiding in the folds Of
her gown.
But IvOr Grants eyes had gone to the
child perched on her shoulder. Such A
beautiful. solemn little face, with eyes
dark and mysterious looking as her own.
Eyes that sent strange thrill through
the mans heart. as they gave back gaze
for gaze in that calm wonder Of childs
aroused curiosity that is so bewildering
to grown men.
What a lovely little fellow he NUT
tered Involuntary. He is very like
you"
She blushed family.
us that intended as a compliment?
suppose he is like me. for | am tired Of
hearing the remark. He is my youngest
just three Years old to-day. IL IL In
honor of his birthday that have brought
them out TO make cowslip- balls English
country life is so strange TO them. Chill
dren in India, you know. have very
dreary existence. | made n point OF
taking them to the hills every season,
or they would never have been as robust
as they are now"
She talked hurriedly. with soft en-
barrassment Of manner that spoke OF 9th
er feelings behind the surprise of this
had never once mentioned her husband.
Have you been here loug?" he asked.
Just a month. My father Is your rec
tor now. He came here four years ago
and when my health gave way in India,
and | had 10 come home, | naturally
came here. My husband remained be-
hind. He likes the country"
And your
"Detest it, Then she laughed. 81 am
afraid | said that vindictively. but il is
really true. The life is idle, useless, ener-
waiting. The women are spoiled. the men
are as rule careless, selfish and self
satisfied. There is nothing wholesome,
genial, inspiriting about them. and the
cim2tc is odious. Oh, if you only knew
the delicious feeling of drinking in air
like ibis after the enervating, sitting
month"; | have endured, shut up in bung-
allows, treating the sun as a deadly en-
eriy instead Of what he Is hcre!"
She drew a long breath. she raised her
head. with it's dusky wind-stirred curls, to
the glstening sky, and looked Up at Il
with eloquent eyes. Ivor Grant watched
her. His ears had been drinking in her
voice, catching more Of its music than its
strange vision floating before him. he saw
the lights aud shadows of Nadgc Dun
bars pretty room. and the queenly. grace
full figure leaning against that marble
pedestal and watching him with deep.
soft eyes.
The silence brought her back to herself.
She lifted the child from her shoulder,
and sat him down by his brothers side.
They made sch a pretty par-the dark
head and III, gold. the bright face and
the solemn-that Iyor's eyes rested with
renewed admiration uptn them.
You are going to gather COW slips; may
help yonF' he said at last.
She laughed little.
What an occupation for gallant
GuardSman, and the idol of world Of
fashion! Suppose any of your London
friends heard you?'
They would think ! was very much
to be euvied." he said. hiding a deeper
carnestness under his light words than
ever she dreamed of. Besides. am no
longer a Guardsman have exchanged
town life for country, and Infinitely pre-.
fer it,"
is il possible?" she said. and looked
AZ him wondcrngjy.
In his face she read great changes, II
was handsome as ever. more attractive
even than she had thought it the night
she gave HIM that sobriQuet OF My Lord
Conreit.' There was Incidence and Ian
guor in its expression. bat that sadness,
which had puzzled many an observer. had
developed itself more strikingly. He look
cd a man IN his prip1s bur n man who