Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-13
CHAPTER xxI.-tContinued.

friend was at the station TO drive
Miss Wentworth home, and so Brlee
trudged over 10 Croylands alone. He
found Barbara in the sitting room. She
had returned by an earlier train. and
hsy wraps were still upon the piano,
where she had tossed them,
"Why. you were in the city, too, it
seems" she said futtering near TO him
under the light If the chandelier, with a
pretty play Of d:mples, the light OF love
Id her eyes.
YES he CURLY said. Miss Brad
,eigh. you know never beat about mueh
1lere is something on my mind 70 say,
and the sooner it is out the better. What
rum0r is this that connects your name
with a chiid-with little grip
He saw bow swiftly the color left her
face. and regarded il as a sign OF guilt
"Rumor has no business with my
name" she said. wanting to gain time.
"Rumor doesn't stop 10 discriminate.
1t never thinks nor cares. 1t makes and
unmakes regulations. Miss Bradleigh,
must remind you that my question re
mains unanswered l. never thought OF
looking into your past history" he con-
tinned. Il don't believe mother thought
of It, either You were here when
came. and | supposed that everything
was right had so much faith in you
that"
stop" she ordered, with upliftcd
hand. her lips so parched that she damp
ened them with the tip Of her tongue.
What are sou saying; Haveat you
faith in me stilE''
''No. Miss Bradleigh. have been
wretchtdly deceived shall recede at
olee from any complications in which
have inenlscd myself"
She aneon seIos:siy pressed her hand to
her hart hSr FACE was deathly pale.
Am to unsivs s,S:sd that you take
back your engagements" she asked. her
voice strained, a CLEAN Of agony in her
eyes.
Yes" he said
Oh, the unreasonableness Of men. Was
there nothing IN his life that he was
ashamed of Suppose his suspicious
were true? Was that the way to APP
proach one who had ever dealt 50 frank
Iy and fearlessly with him? She learned
against the piano, strangely Frustrated.
n how groan escaping from her lips.
-You prefer 10 be silent he said. his
face dark with scoFn. Answer me. Is
that child yours Or notT'
She gasped for breath, and stared at
him in wild agony, hurt TO the very soul
Oh, how hard il was for her to hear him
ask that. Oh II be only knew! But she
would die before he should learn the
truth from her
1.-THE child belongs 70 me-" she calmly
said. her voice not az al Ike her own.
She meant that the child had been left
to her 20 love. cherish. care for She
was not there to argue or deny. She
could resort to neither after what bad
passed between them.
Her admission angpred aim. He broke
ont into a torrent Of Needless words. not
caring that every word made her recoil.
and increased the lntenseness Of her ag-
ony.
DO yon think | have no respect for
myself3" he asked, passionateiy. COR
for my motherF Or for our Hnblemjshed
ancestry How could you dare to-
"Oh. Rrlce" she cried, IN wild appeal.
But he would not heed
Had I supposed that You were but a
aleari less scheming adventures hoping
>amc time Co reign as a queen at Croy-
&aHds--"
sir she interrupted. her tone rising.
hrr faee 4blaze. her self-respeet assert
ins itself, you have said too much Our
engagement ia broken. absolve yoa
from every promise made 10 me"
She turned from him and left the room,
her nerves ike steel, her form rgidly
erect