Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-29


win FOR her liking and admiration.
One day he called on Lady Grace Far
quhar She and Winifred were sitting
alone together in the drawing room.
MY dear" he said to Winifred, I'VE
must not be strangers any longer. My
other granddaughters are coming TO stay
with me in Hurstshire after the season is
over, and | want Lady Grace to spare
you. You win not refuseg
II think you would like to go. dear,
would you not:' Lady Grace said, quick
ly
Wnifred answered a little hesitating
ly in the affirmative. She would rather
not have gone: but she could not bear TO
seem stubborn, or as If she bore malice.
The London season was over, the park
deserted the handsome carriages gone
from the streets. Wn4fred was staying
at Hurst Manor with all her cousins
Flora and Reginald Champion, and
Laura and Ada Fordyce, Lady Valan-
tons daughters. She had met the two
latter constantly in town, and been on
speaking terms with them; but nothing
more. The elder was rather plain. but
aristocratic looking. and very proud. Ada,
the younger, was pretty, good-tempered
ana unaffected. She took to Winifred at
once, and soon became very fond OF her;
but her sister Joined with Flora in be-
ing dsdainful and cold to the farmers
daughter There were Two OF three young
men, friends of Reginald's. staying in the
house, and Mr.. Maxwell, to whom Miss
Champion was now formally engaged
Il have news for you. Laura" said
Reginald ore day. entering the room in
which were his sisters and cousins; sin
deed. news for you ALL Hastings is not
going to Norway in his yacht, but is com
ing down to the Court. and has invited
several people with him, so we shall all
be enlivened little, ! hope, in this dull
hole. Lady Dora Amnesty is to play
hostess, so there is sure to be plenty Of
fun"
Some days after Lady Dora Amnesty
arrived at the Court with her husband,
young, good-tempered man, very fond of
her. and not in the least inclined to be
jealous.
There had been a very decided 1irta-
ton between Mr.. Hastings and Lady
Dora some years ago. before she was
married or engaged; they sometimes re
vived ii even now. He let her have her
own hayward viii in the matter of com
ing to stay at the Court and inviting
guests and turning the old house upside
down for private theatricals and in re-
turn she was very bright and kind to
him and consulted his pleasure in every
possible way.
Lady Dora made all her plans and Err
rol carried them out He called on Mrs.
Champion. gave her some hints about the
tableaus and a desire for her co-opera-
ton. She responded Immediately by
calling on Lady Dora. and two days af.
terward Dora appeared at Hurst Manor.
The ladies'. especially the young ones,
were charmed with her, She was so
bright, so fascinating.
There were a great many calls. CONVEX
sations. hints, proposals and suggestions.
and finally everything was arranged pre-
cisely as the mistress of the ceremonies
had intended ii should be Then. of
course. there were rehearsals at the
Court: lunches, dinner parties. all maa-
ner OF pretexts for getting the young
people together to perfect their parts
Scenery and dresses came down froyn
London. Mr.. Hastings spared neither
TT uble nor expense. and the Court bali
room was transformed into an elegant
theater. All the country round was in
vited; there We're to be two hundred
guests.
Winifred's heart beat fast for the first
time she visited HAZEL Court. She re
membered how in the olden days that
ststely gray mansion into which she had
never hoped to enter had been invested
in her childlikc dreams with all the ro-
nance which she had read of or fanced
Afterward it had been dearer still as the
home of the man who had been to her
a hero. q dcmigod. The time care 10 her
when she had been the simple farmers
daughter, SO proud. 50 happy 10 be no
ticed by the handsome master of HAZEL
Court How her heart had sunk within
her as she saw him paying court TO the
beautiful. aristocratic women who seem
ed then SO far above her; and how little
she had dreamed OF the advent of time
when she should be more houored. more
longed-for guest than they$
Mr. Hastings came ont 70 meet the par
~ Of ladies who had ridden over 60 the
Court. lie went up 50 Winfred first
and took her in his strong arms and lifted
her from the saddle
Welcome" he whispered; This is a
time have often louged for"
One day she had ridden over to the
Court to rehearse with Lady Dora. Mr..
Hastings came in from drive and found
his cousin alone in the morning room.
pray, don't come in. ErrOl.' she cx-
q ,imed Il must net be interrupted, or
Wnifred will be ready hrst.'
"k Miss Eyre here. them" he asked
"Yes-in the picture gallery, I think.
She said she could study her part best
there.
Mr. Hastings left the room and turned
his steps in the direction OF the picture
gallery. 1t was at intensely hot after
noon, and all the doors were thrown wide
open. He looked yato the long. uncarpet-
ed room. and saw there new picture
in a now frame He stood and gazcd a.
il longer and with deeper feelings than he
had ever eazed at any ather picture
| there; il WAS the onlv ore that WAS not
| hist was the ouly one he cared for 81
| desired ardently. Framed in the darn
oak OF the window setting was a 1.-THE
I graceful figure, half reclined. and a fair
| upturned face. Enrol half feared to break
/ The spell that he stood watching Pres
| emily impaueuce oycrCame the faSciua
ton. He went toward her, and the noise
/ Of his footsteps aroused her.
Were you studying or thiuEue, Miss
| Eyre" he asked
Il hardly know, Mr.. Hastings Trims
ing. perhaps
1t is too warm 70 study or think, eth
or. Have ven ever seen the Hazvll por