Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-08-09

49, AelfC nOn n4Ll ere lnlS.
but fate is against me- Well. have
sat down TO play against fate. am
patient; | can wait; I shall win. Mean
while | take care the world shall have
no cause to laugh at me. He has left
you. but there is no shame in that
he has left me, and if did not face the
world there would be shame for me.
| can wait; he will come back and /
shall win him"
And with proud gesture she flung
the laces hawl over her shoulders and
moved toward the door.
Lady Letchford arose and moved to
the door. but turned ere she went out.
IF that is so. l pity you, Rose" she
said, with stified sob. II feel that
he is dead"
And | am sure that he is not" re-
sorted the beauty. Goodnight" And
though the carriage was waiting at the
door, she recrossed the room, threw
herself into chair and seemed buried
in thought.
Half an hour passes; the coachman.
swearing inaudibly, struggles with his
impatient horses; the footmen yawn
in the hall and wonder what has come
to the young mistress; but still the
beauty sits buried in thought, wearing
her heart upon her sleeve for any daw
to peck at.
Suddenly, with an effort, she throws
off the spell of melanchoIia which
binds her and rises
As she does so the door opens and
someone enters and crosses the room.
For a moment she is unconscious of
his presence, then she looks I'D and
starts 10 her feet with sudden cry:
"Heroni"
Yes. it is Heron-haggard and grave.
but with strange look of peace and
happiness upon his worn face.
Though her arms are outstretche6-
white, eXquisitely nodded arms, upon
which CLEAN diamonds and rubies-he
does not offer to embrace her. but
stands grim and motionless, his dark
eyes all the darker for the heavier
lines which hardship and privation
have drawn around them, regarding
her with d stern yet pitying glance.
Heron? Is it really you? You have
come back?"
Then he speaks, and in his voice her
senses, strained to their uttermost
tension, detect that there is something
wrong.
Yes. Where is my mother?"
"She-she has gone to bed. Have
you no word for me, Heron?"
He looks at her as she stands in all
her marvellous beauty, the diamonds
flashing on her white bosom, the violet
eyes cleaning with the light Of long
ing love. and his eyes fall.
Sit down." he sayt, end ne moved
a chair toward her. Il have only
just returned. You We're going out
tonight?"
yes; but not now. oh, Heron, if
you only knew how we have longed
for your return!"
And she puts her hand on his arm.
With a gentle but firm gesture he
puts the white hand from him and as
it falls to her side she knows that all
is lost
Il have only just returned he says
u have been down to Wiltshire-to
Marley. You do not know it? | had
companion; his name is Sydney Dali
ton--he is May Daltons brother. it
was he who was in the woods with her
You remember"
White and motionleSs she confronts
him.
You have been to herr" she SAYS,
almost beneath her breath
Yes. TO whom else should go?"
he answers. Then, as she stands 81
lent and motionless, he says:
Rose. have one desire-one wish
and that is that you should never.
from this hour, tell the story of that
nights work. If you will grant me
that one favor l shall be your debtor?"
Size looks at him for moment,
then, with aveTted head, says almost
inaudibly:
when does the marriage take
placer"
Immediately" he answers.
There is moments silence; then,
as if with an effort. she raises her
eyes and regards him with a proud
calmness.
Heron she says, and her voice
has just the same constrained calm in
il, you are generous, or YOU think
YOU are" and cold smile curls her
lip. "Yor would have us part without
humiliotins me as you think; but
will not have it so. There can be no
humiliation for me. What have
zone | would do over again
He looks up. and his eyes are rigid
with mingled anger and pain.
Spare me" he says haughtily.
She smiles and waves her fan to
and fro: the self-possession she has
fought so hard for has come back. and
she will fight to the last-will at least
stab him with the dagger of womanly
malice, though she CANNOT STAY him as
she would like to do. She waves her
fan and leans back.
no not begrudge me the few mo-
:acnts-the last few minutes we shall
have--for If know YOU and myself
Heron. we part for good tonight. Well,
you wish to spare me. You forget that
il is | who consider myself ignored
Oh. stop" she says with a scornful
smile. Il know what you would say
7 NsiU save vou the trouble of Dliftinsr