Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-03-22

ecstasy of delight, arouses both of
them.
"Oh. Sir Heron, do tell me what this
is" and she points to an ancient piece
of armor that stands on a heavy
bracket betw cen .wo pictures of cru
saders.
That" says Sir Heron, coming to
her, that is an old breastplate. Car
RE, which was worn by the gentleman
on the right, Sir Richard Letchford,
when he went on the crusade"
And that hole in it?"
rs the hole which Saladin's battle.
ak made. and through which Sir Rich
ards lifeblood sreamed."
How awful it looks, doesn't it,
Mayo And what are ali those figures
on ito"
Those are the crest and motto of
which Sir Richard was so proud that
he liked TO wear them where every
body could see them. Let me get it
down for you-shall II"
"Oh. do. But won't it be too heavy,
and give you too much trouble?"
Sir Heron smiles. and dragging an
antique chair forward, stands upon it..
and lifts the breastplate from its
bracket 1t is covered with dust,
which flies into his eyes and literally
powders his coat and waistcoat.
1T is time it came down. Take
care, Mias Dalton!" for May is close
underneath, and the dust is descending
in full shower.
let me take it," but he will not let
her touch it until he has set it down on
the floor and busted it with his pocket
handkerchief. which instantly assumes
an Ethiopian hue.
Carrie goes down flop beside it, re-
gardless of her new dress. and touches
the great clean hole with a shrinking
finger and a shudder of mysterious de-
light.
what a strong man SaIadin must
have beehive read about him, Sir
Heron in the history of England-to
cut right through this thick steel, And
how stro.a Sir Richard must have
been to we n this heavy thing around
him"
yes. they were giants in those days,
Carrie" saws Sir Heron.
Il believe it would fit you"
Perhaps you would like me to put
it on
The bright flash of longing in Car
| rie's eyes is answer enough, and with
good humor which would have sur
prised his mother. he takes up the
breastplate and slips it over his head.
There should be a buckle some
where" he says, as Carrie clasps her
hands and moves around him admir-
ingly.
Here it is says May.
Laughingly, May fumbles at the
clumsy steel strap. 80 absorbed in her
task that she IS quite unconscious that
he has her arm around the breastplate,
and that her warm hand is close
against Sir Herons heart. But he Is
not, and as he stands quite STILL look
ing down at the bent head upon which
the light falls softly, turning the rich
| brown hair into red gold. every touch
Of her little hand thrills through him,
and he envies the hard steel which can
bear her white arm around il and still
remain cold.
THAT is it," she says, looking up
, with a smile of triumph.
| And as he looks up that smile
changes swiftly and instantly into one
of amusement, mingled with admira-
ton. Amusement at the incongruity
of steel breastplate in connection
with modern dress-coat, admiration
of the stalwart figure which it in
closes.
Il should make an excellent Guy for
the fifth, Carrie. But as it is not the
fifth of November, I think 1 will not
take it off. I'm afraid l must trouble
you again. Miss Dalton"
May fumbles again, and again he
feels as if her fingers were touching
the chords of his heart.
cit is some years since Sir Richard S
| breastplate has been disturbed l
rather suspect that it feels indignant"
What stories it could tell. I wish
il could speak"
i've heard hat kind of desire ex-
pressed before" says Sir Heron, "and
must confess that am devoutly thank
full that that kind of article is not
gifted with the power of expressing
itself in audible language. Life is
bad enough as it is, but If every article
of furniture with history insisted up
on recounting its experiences, we
should want additions to our lunatic
asylums."
May laughs, and is about to turn
away. when she sees the breastplate
falling upon her. With a little cry of
alarm, she starts back, but not soon
enough, and the mass of metal falls
upon her side, striking her arm and
shoulder.
Sir Heron has NOV ed away, but at
the cry he turns swiftly and as May
staggers backward he catches her in
his arms.
ooh, May, oh. Sir Heron, Has it
struck her? Oh. what shall we do?-
she has tainted"
Hush There is some water on
that table"
Carrie flies to get It, but her ,haking
hand is incapable of pouring it out, and
Sir Heron, holding the motionless and
limp figure with one arm. fills the
glass with his disengaged hand.
"Don't be frightened" he says, but