Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-12-02
CHATTER XVII.


for his granddaughter, but could not see
fler- lie did, however, see the valiant
Major PottiEger deliberately explaining to
Mrs, Van Hgphen that his dear friend,
Che Doehess If Pimlico, had been accused
not long before, in q society paper, Of
having taxed to painting her face, and
now, as a Iroof Of her innocence Of any
such rillainons procedure, she had ac-
kuaiiy sent FOR her maid, and had told her
20 bring her a sponge and towel, and
she had hashed her face in his presence.
Half a dozen Of the people nearest to
hIm bnrst out laughing. and under cove:
of their fun and chattering the general
edged uD 10 Harrington and asked him a
question.
Where Is RachelT' be said.
she was here moment or so ago."
answered Harrington. with well-assum-
ed carelessness.
Have you been talking 70 her at allT'
~oh, yes; I think She went upstairs
sust now" said Harrington, putting a
good face On the matter
II see, said the old man. then turned
Found to Mrs. Damas, who touched him
On the arm
+Mlh you stop aud have supper with
as?" she said. pleasantly. Quite infor-
snaiiy, yor know, but | shall be charmed
" you wili"
II shall be delighted said the old
general, calamity.
And Mr. Harrington ?" said Mrs. Da-
mas, looking past him at Valentine
Now. Harrington. after the blow Ra-
chei had dealt him By refusing to marry
hiua. would fam have got out Of accept
ing the invitation if he could lie hum
Ened and ah'd and stammered, until al
last the general took the matter out Of
bis hands entirely by answering foe him.
"Of course you can. my dear lad. be
said testify, You cannot be engaged.
for you were going to dine quietly with
sDe tonight What2 Oh. Mrs Damas
would not ask You If she did not want
you lie viii be delighted. Mrs. Damas
aeiightedi And, by the by, Val. ny dear
Cad. be went on not giving Harrington
Eine TO utter a single word, Just go out
aud tell Jeryis to so back and let them
know ~ Portland Place that we are not
eoming back to dinner, and he need not
M back for us---we'll take a cab
home"
VERY well. SIR" said Harrington. re-
signing himself to his fate
kse went ont obediently, feeling tEat Il
was really fate He had tried, honestly
cried 10 leave. according 10 Rachers evil
gent desire but fate, in the persons Of
AIRS Damas ard bis godfather. had haen
Zoo strong fer him aud he had not been
given free hoice In the matter. 90 he
went aat ana sent the generals carriage
home with the message for Jones that
they were not coming back 70 dinner.
4 al then he went back into the house
Feeling more at ease and light Of heart, |
for il was just possible that he might
catch Kschefs heart in the rebound from
her anger. and that after all everything
might al LAST come right.
But that hope died almost az It's birth, |
for at half-past seven Rachel came down
agaHl. ia obedience to summons from
Mrs, Damas. and the blank look Of con
sternatian which swept across her face
when she saw him among hose who !
were remaining to supper WIS enough in
itsnif % kill any new and tender hope
chat might have been born that evening
ssn his heart But nevertheless, he did |
aof submit 20 leaving her in ignorance Of
his Effort not 10 intrude upon her fur
xilgy
Rachel" he said. simply going
straight ap 20 her aud speaking la a
vosee that could reach no ear but hers,
%after what you said 10 me just now. |
hone Won don't think mo such a brute
as 20 force myself upon your company.
I assure yon | tried hard 10 get away,
hvt ! was engaged 10 dine with the gen
erai tonight and be simply put me in
hole by accepting for himself and me,
zee. couldn't help myself Under any
other circumstances IN the world would
aos have stopped
Rachel biz her lip and Turned her face
toward hiu~-when he saw that she was
uueb paler than usual
Don't speak Ike that about IT, she
said. with ghost 0f sntile. You
must knoH that you are NOS loathsome
to me"
Under cover Of n screen hich half bid
hand in fierce grip
ION the contrary" said Rachel with
a sharp sob. catching her breath-~"your
presence is always pleasure 70 me. even
theugh though I wish thar il were not
go
Harrington dropped her hand instantly
and be jruder aOwer u hope which
had sprung mp anew within bis heart
withertl and died
Thare were an above dozen staying
10 supper and Rachel found herself nut
I,,.twoen Harrington aud Ms Pharaoh
Mr. Pharaoh indeed. took care that he
Sot next 70 her. and ss Mrs Damas quite
uasuspieiausIy said. Mr. Harrington.
,gal you cake Miss DudleyT" Valentine
taad no choice but 10 he on the other side
And he WAS very unhappy; for ereu
after what Rachel had said Ia him that
afternoon and when she found he VS.
remaining 20 upper. If she had shown
some signs of annoyance az his near pres
ense 90 her. Il She bad talked more 90
Mr. FhleJou than to him, bc would even
ve. have had sone hope. Bui although
Mr. Pr 4oh fried very hard 90 menapa-
size hes attention and her conversation.
an6 gave her every excuse for utterly
ner}cCuug Harrington Rachel never at
tempted to ID so She talked TO him
calmly and qijetly. as ii he had been
eome unusually impnrao. guest whom IL
was her duty 20 entertain She talked OF
theaters assd plays. ~ lry.nE's "Ra5ert
Macairc" and Ellen Tcrrys "EHaUue,"
sine talked about the difference between
Reerbobm Tree in the "pomPa&1ur" and
BeerboHm Tree as "GrinEairp." then she
wandered On 10 the pictures AVID the cx
hibiti9ns, sud at last they got on 90 poll
ties ana grayely and seriously they dis
cusscd the Domestic virtues of Mr.. Glad
stone, while their hearts were breaking
And sbea. when they all adjourned go
en- D..