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


The glance resting on her had NOTHING
of renorse or pity, not even a momentarl
compassion for the wreck Of a lifetime'i
.glory-the blow that in a seconds space
had ruined the fondest hope of q desc
late life.
Suddenly she drew a sharp breath, al
of a cry stiled in her hearts depth, then
turned and went back through the little
glade as if to seek refuge in its dark
mess from those cold and pitiless eyes.
After all these years-after all these
years" she cried to herself; "and now
---eh, heaven! is he to suffer for my sin!'
Iyor, coming home tired and happy that
night, with a sense OF duty DONE" and
a heavy game-bag to the fore, went to his
mothers room for his usual chat before
dinner. But the maid stopped him with
a message. Her mistress had bad head
ache an5 was lying down. She would
moi be abe 10 appear at dinner that
-evesisg. He felt disappointed at so I'M
usual a rebuff. However. he went in to
dinner. and apologized for her absence.
When they were dispensing to the billiard
fcom, he wondered somewhat that Count
Sayona begged TO be excused on the plea
of important letters to write.
Ii might have been an hour or so later
when Ivor, going upstairs to his own
room for some trihe or other he wanted.
heard the sound OF voices coming from
his mothers boudoir For moment he
stopped in the corridor in sheer sur
prise.
Yes. there was no doubt about it. Tb4t
was his mothers voice-eold, naughty,
yet subdued, as if its faint echoes might
ibetray the misery slowly fastening itself
on the very roots Of her life; and the
other-there was no installing that eth
err; well enough Ivor knew the foreign
accent. the clear, resonant tones. But
what on earth could the Count have to
say TO his mother, and why had sh
risen from her bed to grant him an in-
teryiew when she had refused to see her
own son?
Utterly unable TO answer such ques-
tons. or conceive any probable reason
for 80 srrange an interview. he turned
and went back to the smoking room. com
pletely oblivious OF his reason for leaving
The Count Joined them all again and
was his usual gay AID brilliant self,
charming even the country squires by his
versatile talents. Iv0r, watching him
closely, saw how his eyes glittered, and
what an unusual satisfaction showed it
self upon his face. He grew more and
more puzzled every moment.
What could that interview have been
about What mystery was there between
his mother and this comparative stran-
ger?
'Pshawr' he said to himself at last.
why need / bother? She is sure TO tell
me" and with his usual easy indiffer-
ence he threw off the momentary dis
comfture Of the evening
Ia the morning, when the party had
himself desolated. heart broken, but I'M
fortunately news had reached him which
compelled his immediate departure for
Paris Mrs. Grant was presiding at the
breakfast table and iuyoIuntarily Iyor's
eyes turned to her face. Save that 1t
might have been a shade paler than usual,
Its outward calm compOsure was unalter-
ed She murmured a conventional regret.
but her eyes never once sought the
Counts face.
$50 Ivor gave orders for the dogcart
20 drive his guest to the station, some
eight miles distant and babe him fare
well with less cordially than he would
have shown had not this sense Of some
thing mysterious been depressing his
frank and honest mind. Before that day
ended another surprise awaited him
Though he had spent his usual half
hour at his mothers dressing room fire.
aad though she was as loving as ever he
had found her. the name Of Count Savona
never passed her lips.
tie alluded TO the Counts departure.
She made but brief response aud changed
the conversation as soon as possible
Il don't think You liked my Italian
friend" he said. jestingIy. as they both
rose at last in answer TO the summons Of
the dinner bell.
Your friend!' she said, hurriedIy. and
her eyes met his, a strange, wild as
turbance on her face. Don't rAn him
that. Ivor, for heavens sake You are
1ight. I-dont-Iike him"
Anger. aud fear and shame contending
Tor victory, suppressed and kept back by
the stern selfcontrol Of years He had
never seen her so moved. so strange. The
white hand, with its glittering gems,
trembled as it casped his arm Invol-
unfairly he bent aud kissed it.
NO enemy Of yours can be friend Of
mine. dear mother"
Enemy She shuddered and turned
paier still. NO, not that. / did not cali
him that, my dear
Iyor made no answer but in his heart
he said:
30: but you meant it."
hNd the wonder grew deeper and more
troubled, as all perplekSd and unauswer-
cd doubts must grow.
Away in the rising moonlight stretched
the rich woodlands and the vast acres
that he deemed his own. that marked a.
gOodly a heritage as the heart of man
need desire. Perhaps Us her eyes looked
out through the orie windows Of the
gallery 1t was as well that her son could
not read their meaning As we'll TOO.
that he knew nothing OF the price valid.
and still to pay for that heritage the
tears of blood and shame its purchase
right had cost.
CHAP ER III.
The loveliness Of a spring morning is
bending ligLt and color to the earth. The
heavens are of hyacinth and gold. save
here and there where pearly clouds fold