Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-20

| There is a strange thougbtfulness in
Mrs. Cholmondely's face as she takes
| her seat by the side of the young wife,
and presently she kisses her. and wits
pers to her that she is to forget all the
past, and be very happy in her new
home.
You need never speak OF your past
life," she said softly; ito all the world
but me, even TO my son and daughter
you are Miss Duncombe, with nc his
tory. after leaving Burnham. You un-
derstand, dearY
Il think | DO, madam. | am no. to
speak OF poor George or my married life.
but appear as il had never been mar
riedT'
Just so, dear" said Mrs. Cholmon-
dely softly: and then the cab stopped at
the station and they were only just in
time for the express.
And this was Maggie's first lesson, a
lesson she learnt so easily that in all
her after life she never for one moment
/. sgot 1t.
The germ of the plant was here: Put
the past behind your back" Let the
dead past bury its dead" to some hard,
stern task: to others, light as the spray
that caps the ocean wave.
Maggie's new life opens pleasantly
enough She is very comfortable in the
6rst-class carriage for which Mrs, Chol-
mondeiy has taken tickets. She admires
the bright sunshine and fair landscape,
and already begins to feel very happy.
Mrs. Cboimondely's carriage is wait
ing for them at the station: and a grand
footmAn, of lofty stature and imposing
mien, touches his hat and puts them into
the vehicle.
They are at home presently. in the
most palatial and noble square in Brigh
ton; and Maggie. for a moment, feels
half frightened 50 magnificent is the ex-
terror OF the house.
But when they are ascending the
broad, richly carpeted staircase, Mrs.
Cholmondely whispers gently. Welcome
to my home, dear" and she is somewhat
treasured
Mrs. Cholmondely has had rooms / re
pared for her. next to her own daug>-
ter's apartments, and takes her to them
herself. and bids her rest, and sends her
daughters maid to her.
Miss ChoImondcly comes In presently,
and hearing that her mother has return
ed. PUSHES up into her boudoir without
waiting to take off her habit.
MAUD, dear" says her mother. after
the embraces are over. and the young
lady is little calm. Il have brought
companion for you. and / hope you viii
love her dearly
a companion, dear mamma. Love
her dearly | do not quite understand
replies Maud. wonderingly.
"A protege VI my own. dear. not much
older than yourself. a dear, good girl.
that win be Us sunshine in the house.
Come with me and | will introduce you.
They 90 to Maggie's room, and the
young wife rises az they enter, and
makes one step forward to meet them.
Mrs. Cholmondely leaves her daughters
side for a moment and. crossing over TO
Maggie. says to her as she Kisses her.
Maggie. dear, this is my daughter
Maud; Maud, this is Miss Duncombe. the
lady / spoke to ycu Of just now
Miss Cholmondoly put, ont her hand.
and rs Maggie takes it in her own.
face, and following some uncomfortable
impulse, she kisses Maggie almost pas
siouately.
Il am sure we SHAH like each other
Miss Duncou1bs," she says. still with
the same wondering look in her eyes;
ald then she follows her mamma back 10
her own ROOM Mamma" she whis-
pers eagerly. as she enters Mrs. Chol
mondelys apartment. who is she like?
Where have seen her before? Surely.
surely have seen that face. in a picture
or in the rcaIity2 | have seen that love
ly face before
Her mamma looks at her with startled
eyes.
Nonsense. DEAR she says. haskily
1T can only be fancy. or a chance re-
sernhlance You have never seen Miss
Duncombe before. But run away now,
dear. and take off your habit and, very
slowly and thoughtfully, the young lady
disappears.
They spend a very quiet evening. and
have a little music. ito hear what Mag
gle can do" as Mrs. Cholmondely says.
playfuly; and they listen entranced to
I've exquisite liquid voice and the deep
passionate feeling that she throws into
her pretty ballads.
Already they are beginning to feel
this is no common genius; and when they
81 last retire there Is something mystic
RI ~ pervading them-soms fascination
that makes them very solcitous for this
dark-cyed bcauty's happiness and com
fort
Mrs. ChoImondely has kissed her for
"a last good night. and is sitting think
ing before her glass, after she has dis
missed her maid. Presently little
timid knock ut the door. and in answer
to her Come in" Maud appears
Mamma dear. I hope you will not
he angry with me; ut-but-after I had
babe Miss Duncomhe good night l could
not resist the temptation OF seeing her
nguin She was in bed and fast usleep
but she had forgotten 20 reverse the
blind, and so the moonlight shone full
on her face Mamma, dear'--and here
the voice sank lower. aud became more
impressive" who is she like? She is
n little like me. a. mma--a little ike
Erncst-and, mamma she is n little like
you. too
Nonsense, my pet; it is oaly your
fancy depend upon it. Go to bed. now
there's darling"
The slim figure Of Maud passes out Mt
the door. Mrs. Cholmondely looks mt
! herself long and earnestly. and presently
| the tears begin To gather in tie bright
eyes.
There is such thing as Fate she
murmurs. passiouaSely. and with q curl
Gus. half-choking sob in the white throat.
Poor Jocelyn. God bless him. And
then She covers her face with her hand.
and presently big tears fall through the
slender jpweled fingers, and her whole
frnme shAkes with SUPPRESSED cnlntinn