Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-05-21
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.l


'"The shame cannot touch you" she
. cried DO not take it to heart like this.
After ALL the proofs may be wrong. Who
brought them? Who knows the story
Count Sayona."
He! That coward-that traitor! On
fvor don't believe him! Don't accept
this wrong at his hands. 1t is all a lie
am sure it Isl"
MY dear, it IS the bitter truth. The
papers I discovered prove that"
And what are you going to doF she
asked.
Il leave here tomorrow. ! have told
the lawyers the facts of the case, and
they don't see any loophole out of it. The
only difficulty is to find the next heir to
the property. The direct line fails with
me-without me, l should say he added
bitterly 1T seems hard to trace back
the remote branch who will hold its hon
ors. As for myself, shall enlist. think,
under foreign flag. What else remains
10 he done?'
Don't talk so bitterly" she entreated.
at is not like you to be hopeless. Have
yOu-have you seen SaYona since this dis
covery?"
Great heaven" he cried. hoarsely, Il
forgot In all my own trouble | forgot
that his yillaiuy could touch you also. |
can't keep my promise to him now"
What promise$7 she asked sternly.
You would not buy his silence for-for
my sake oh, Iyor, do not tell me that"
He was silent. He only looked at her
despairingiy, aud saw The hot blood rise
TO her very brow. and mantle all the
beautiful pale face in one fiery glow OF
shame. till her hands went up to cover il
from his sight.
He will tell my husband" she said
slowly. Il know that was what you
meant. Well, let him do his worst. /
don't fear him"
But do. FOR yoGr sake" cried Iyor
hoarsely. 1T means ruiz to you-it
means more than all my troubles put to-
gether to me, for-oh Beryi, brought it
on you, and | can't help you now"
Eyes, you can she said, dropping her
= hautis. and facing him with a new, bright
courage in her eyes; you can help me
BY being brave and true, and fighting
against your misfortunes-not letting
them vanquish you you can help me by
-siefying that seoundre TO his face. not
glAeing yourself at his mercy by purchas
<ng his silence. Let him do his worst TO
sne. even as he has done it to you.
don't fear him any longer"
MY brave darling" burst from Ivor's
g7ps involunTarily.
Hush she said, raising her finger
warningly: don't say that-don't make
me weak woman when | want to be a
strong one. will take the weapon oct
of Count Savona's hands; will go 10 my
hnsban4 and tell him myself how weak
: have been. Let him judge for himself
let him condemn me as he lpleases; at
least, no cruel spy shall dog your steps,
or make our lives burden"
'You-you win DO this?' he faltered,
'As HEAVIER sees and judges us now.
win"
Then" cried lvor, with a strange
CLEAN of triumph in his eyes, you give
zne freedom again; you enable me TO fight
this eur with his own weapons. Let him
do his worst. as you say--we can defy
him' How pale and cold you lookF' he
Went on. gently. Il have been selfish to
detain you here so long. Let me see you
a0me now 10 the Rectory. II is the last
time, you know"
She took his arm without word; she
was trembling greatly. In silence they
ared the shadowy path aud closed the
gate. where Jack and Cyril had been
,uSed 10 swing In silence, too. they
reached the Rectory grounds, and there
paused as II hy common consent and
-sfooa for a moment with elasped hands
'S9oklng into each changed and saddened
fsce. Then with q murmured Heaven
b.. with you the trembling hands IN