Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-15
x;HApTER XXIIl.-fContinued.l


reads his letters again and again. bushes
and pales when his name is mentioned,
and frenahles with delight as she thinks
how soon she shall see her cousin once
more. For she loves him dearly; so
much so that she has never limited it
even TO Maggie.
And so time went or, Ill one bright
afternoon Maggie and Nav were just
coming out of the opening n the brown
woods, laughing and taiKing merrily.
when suddenly May started, turned pale,
and throwing down the portfolio she was
carrying. cried suddenly, as n young man
met them, why. it is Cousin Randall
Then she had stepped eagerly forward
md given him her hand, and he had bent
down for the usual cousinly kiss and en-
brace, and she had turned away to hide
gler bright, happy tears.
Maggie was introduced. and the young
mau looked at her with great eyes Of adj
.miration, and said, softly, Somehow
Miss Duncombe, | fancy have had the
pleasure of seeing you before some
where" And Maggie shakes her head
softly, and says she thinks not.
Not at Vienna, certainly" exclaims
May, laughing. And then the gentleman
takes the portfolio, and they all walk on
10 the house.
Maggie steals a look at this cousin
presently, she knows not why, except
that the soft music Of his voice has woke
slumbering echo in some cavern Of her
heart the existence OF which she has
never known till now.
Size looks at him furtlvely and catches
his glance fixed upon her admiringly, and
the first lutter of the heart she has ever
felt in her life comes to her now. And
II ever there was love at first sight this
young man loved Maggie this golden af-
teinoon.
And this meeting with two hearts,
feeling their existence for the first time.
a thil1 heating with unconfessed love
and passionate eagerpess, is the begin
ming OF the end.
lie is a very handsome man. Is Ran
DIAL st. John; handsome in that style Of
quiet, keen face, and thoughtful eyes,
and high forehead, and great protective
power that is so grateful to the weak
and loving girl, who as his wife. would
feel safe and secure in his strong love
in every storm through life.
They reach the house presently. and
Mr. Royston meets hem, and shakes
hands with his nephew heartily. and bids
him welcome. Then there is a little
pleasant jesting as to his being brought
in By the ladles And Maggie. only
ehat her back is to the light. might be
seen TO have a great access of color to
her cheeks.
They meet at dinner again, and Ran
,iiai is very quiet and happy and tells
tlssnl many anecdotes Of his foreign life.
Mrs. Downing rises presently. and the
gentlemen are left alone.
ell Randall, how are matters at
Vienna. ehi You have got your step at
last, see you an ambassador now before
lie"
III | follow diplomacy; but l fancy
may give it up some day, and settle
down
settle down Randall; why, what
freak is this2 Time enough to settle
down when am dead and gone" And
Mr. Royston speaks rather augrily, for
Randall is presumptive heir . the es-
tates, and he is fond of directing his
nephew after his own plans.
'.Well, uncle" says the young man,
softly. Il mean, Of course. if l married;
and ans getting rather tired OF bach
elor's life. BY the by" adds Randall,
who is this Miss Duncombe that May
ms for a governess? She seems rather
n superior person for the position, does
she not?"
Il don't know about that" answered
Mr. Royston, rather tarly. "She is one
,sf She NEST beautiful aud accomplished
girls have evSr seen. and with the most
perfect names of any one | know, ex-
- - 7
years younger. / don't say | shouldn't
he fool enough to fall in love with her
myself"
A very carer. startled look passes over
his nephew's face, aud he says, But
where does she come fromI"
"Well. she was living with Mrs. Chol-
mandelys daughter, and very highly she
recommended her Not that she spoke
tho we'll OF her for l don't know what
we should do without her; but Mrs. Chol-
unondely-so Mrs Downing tells me-
says that she was everything that could
be desired for the position. and she has
not overstated il"
Il remember now, uncle. the family
she lived with. | met Mrs. Grenfel,
very sweet woman. Oh. that is where
she comes from. is itT'
And the diplomatic young gentleman
gpjoices exceedingly. for herr is topic
Of interesting conversation with the dark
beauty; so no more is said on tie subject.
and afterwards they 90 to the drawing
room.
II Is a very beautiful night. and one
that will not be forgotten by any Of
the party for many a long day to come.
The girls are playing a quiet game Of
chess when the gentlemen come in, and
Mrs Downing is fast asleep with novel
in her hand. but the noise Of the door
opening awakes her; and the young la
dies throw up their game. and presently
the piano is opened. and May sings one
OF her little songs. Then she calls Ran
dal and Maggie, and tells them they must
sing a duet.
stay" said Mr. Royston. Tets have
moonlight, as there is plenty OF it, Blow
out the candle, Randall" and then a
E1EsoDbeams stream in, and the 70. ,es
Begin. and rise aad fall as the words are
rTilled ont passionately. And when it
$ finished and the candles are lighted
tgaiu. Randall is in love, and Maggie is
3lusti ing, and trembling. and hoping,
with a sensation she has never felt be-
fore.
So the delicious evening passes away,
and the silver moon, and the blue sky
and the whispering leaves alone are wit
cess 20 RandaHs murmur as he strnlls
up and down the terrace, weaving heav-
en- only knows Mat happy faucies for
the future. and building air castles for
smother life besides his own