Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-12-09
CHAPTER XvIII.-(Continued.)


For an instant Gen. Vandeleur was
strongly tempted to 90 off into a fit Of
rage, TO exclaim that If she did not do
hls bidding. and fall in with his wishes
be would not only never see her again,
out he would also disinherit her! How
ever, the certainty of the knowledge that
she would quietly acquiesce in such
decision and also would probably never
trouble herself even to think about him
again, kept him from this and made him
calm; and the fact of his keeping calm
made him better able to argue his case
with her.
HE is such dear lad, Rachel" he
said, mournfully, $50 generous and 50
manly; and he is kind-hearted and good,
too, my dear-why Rachel--is
1t that there is some one else?' he burst
out. as new and unwelcome thought
dashed upon him.
Nobody rise," answered Rachel. so
promptly that he dismissed the thought
at once.
'.He is heart-broken,'' he went on.
Rachel began to be terribly afraid tn It
n he went on much longer she would not
be abb to keep the tears out Of her eyes.
The old man saw that she was trem-
bling. and fancied that she was wayer-
ing. at will be the ruin Of his life" he
urged, "and--although don't expect
that TO have much weight with you--it
e. the dearest wish of my heart"
''You make 1t very hard Iur me" she
broke out at last.
Il want to make it hard for you, my
dear" be said, eagerly. / want to make
Il so hard that you viii do what | wish
and what my poor lad asks. ! brought
aim up, Rachel, and though you are my
own granddaughter and he is no
II know all that you are going to say"
she cried. glad to seize the chance Of
speaking plainly-"I know. You mean,
by and by--after a very long time,
hope--he is to be your heir. You think
that I am your own granddaughter and
be is no relation to yOu and that il is all
his by right, So it is. Please don't leave
me a penny. l doh't want ii. | am hap
pier. far. far happier, working for my
self 1t is good for me to do it. But
don't hesitate to leave Val everything
swouls infinitely rather that he had 1t
xhan l."
She grew quite excited as she spoke,
and laid her pretty. slender hands per
suasively upon his arm. He stood look
ang down upon her with a puzzled express
sion.
my dear" be said after moment,
-'-shall l tell you something's
Yes"
81 don't know what is working In your
Snind, or whether Val las offended you
az not. but you love him! Yes, with all
iyonV heart and soul; am sure Of it."
Rachel let her hands fall from his arm
and then stood looking at him for a
rnoment or so; and then she suddenly
dismayed him utterly by running back TO
che large couch in the corner, finging
herself down among the cushions in an
agony Of tears.
In spite Of his being by nature and
habit alike an autocrat and a martinez,
che old generals first impulse was a gal
liant one, and he moved a step toward her
as if to try to comfort her. Then he
stopped short AID stood looking at her
Tor a moment, shaking his head.
Peter leave her for a hit---she will
cry till that crank In her mind against
marrying him gets fairly washed out Of
e." he thought and then he went softly
out Of the studio, nd closed the door
gently behind him.