Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-01


he was listening, so she dropped her
voice TO a whisper, and fiirted away in
a very animated manner with Mr.. Hast
ings. Francis Clayton was gradually be-
coming furious. At the end Of the third
act he arose.
1T is time to put on your cloak he
said in harsh and unpleasant voice.
why, dear?" asked Fee. looking up
with langud innocence, ARE you afraid
/ shall take cold? You are not usually
80 SOLICITORS about me"
Il ordered the carriage early, and | do
not choose my horses TO be kept wait
ing" he replied, scarcely deigning TO look
a her.
Mr.. Clayton moved toward the door,
and his wife resumed her conversation
with more animation than ever.
Are you coming?" he exclaimed, turn
ing impatiently.
coming?" returned Fee, nonchal-
antly, raising her eyebrows. MY GEAR
Francis, what could put such an absurd
idea into your head?'
To be treated with Indifference, and,
worse, ridicule, is naturally dissgreeable
to any man; but it made Mr.. Clayton,
sulky and ill-tempered as he already was,
perfectly afame with rage.
Marion, are you comingT
Certainly not"
Then | shall 90 alone Henry can
get you a facre when you feel disposed
to follow me-" And the amiable husband
left the box.
Mrs. Clayton was as bitter and angry
as a high-spirited woman would be under
the circumstances; but she went on talk
ing to her companion very fast, to conceal
her annoyance She was too proud to
make any allusion to her husbands treat.
ment of her; and Mr.. Hastings appeared
not to have noticed it. But he felt for
her keenly. He did not quite justify her,
or think she had behaved wisely, but he
saw what the man was, and felt there
must have been some strong undercurrent
of bitterness to change the bright, good
tempered sunny. little fairy he had
known formerly to the indifferent, pro-
voking woman of tonight. Poor little
girlr' he thought to himself. Il dare
say she has found out by this time that
money doesn't bring happiness"
Mrs. Clayton remained until the fifth
act was half over, then she asked Enrol
to see If her servant was in the hall. He
left the box, and returned almost immedi-
ately.
My brougham is at your disposal, Mrs.
Clayton, and your servant is just calling
It up"
She thanked him; and he put her cloak
carefully round her, and gave her his
arm.
Goodnight" she said, when she was
seated in the carriage. MANY thanks
for your timely aid. VIII you come and
see us tomorrow at our hotelT
He promised; aud at parting he held
her hand longer than is strictly necessary
in wishing good-by.
The day after their meeting at the
opera Mr. Hastings called on Mrs. Clay
ton: and Mr. Clayton, suspecting the
visit, was purposely at home. Fee bright
ened up when Mr.. Hastings was announc-
ed. She had always liked him; now in
her loneliness and misery she ranked him
as a dear old friend. Her manner was
all the more cordial because she wanted
to annoy her husband.
MIR. Hastings. | am delighted to see
you; was just feeling so frightfully Dor.
ed and dull. l hope you bring a whole
budget of news
Il must ask first after my old friend.
Lady Marion" he answered. Il cannot
forgive myself for my remissness in not
doing so last night
Aunt is very well. thank you l heard
from her this morning. She says she is
dreadfully dull without me, and is Ion ging
Ia see us back again"
II often think how she must miss you.
| almost wonder she does not remain
with you"
$50 she would. gladly but Mr.. Clayton
won't let her. OF course, If we have q
difference Of opinion she takes my part,
and he says something rude to her, and
she is offended. Is it not so, Francisr
Mr.. Clayton muttered something about
mother-in-law being bad enough, but
IN aunt-in-law was more than anybody
bargained for.
And as matrimony is altog- Their a com
mercial speculation" rejoined Fee. with q
delightful smile you can't, of course
take more than You bargain for-can you
Mr.. HastingsF'
! Enrol was by no means pleased at be
ing made third party to matrimonial
! differences. and made an effort to change
| the conversation.
Have you seen anything of Lady
! Grace Farquhar lately, Mrs. CiaytonY
he asked.
! "She was here not month ago: anC
she has adopted such a s@. et, eharmins
girl They are like moth ~ and daugh
! .rr; and even that selfish old bookworm
I Sir Clayton. seems quite taken with her
/ | wish you had been here sooner.
know you would have been in love will
| her"
Il thought Mr.. Hastings knew Mis-
Eyre" interposed Francis Clayton. "A
! all events, | recollect hearing their name!
/ connected in some story about meeting
in wood"
Enrol started slightly, and it might havJ
been fancy. but Fee certainly thought {
deeper color came into his bronzed face
Mr.. Clayton seemed to think the same
for he proceeded in his usual amiabl
manner:
she and ErSkine were awfully swee
on each other when we were staying a
the vale l dare say that will be
match. Lady Grace seems quite agree
able TO it; but Of course It's a shocking
bad one for him
"Fraucis." exclaimed his wife, ''hoy
YOU exaggerate. You know Winifred new
er cared for Lord Harold She won
1 confess it, but / am quite sure he mad
her an offer. and that she refused him
He never viii meet her he can help it,
Did you say that Lady Grace ha
adopted her, Mrs. Claytou?'
, Yes. more than a year ago; indeed
before l was married. She was in sue
; sad trouble, peer girl She was YER