Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-05

Continued.

must keep that from him"
Lady Letchforl looks up
Rose you have been very good to
ME. oYu will save him ii sou CAM
81 will make a strong effort" is the
smiling reply.
Meanwhile Heron sips his rs port.
1t is difficult for a man To feel dis
satisfied and unhappy with such wine
following after such a dinner.
For the first tine for a month Mays
sweet, bewitching face pales before
his mental vision. For the first time
for a month the restless WEAKNESS
gives place to a reposeful calm.
He finishes the nalf-bottle of price
less wine, and goes into the drawing
room,
An air of restful reposa seems TO
Deryade the room. On one side of the
FIRE his mother sits in her high-backed
chair, and on the other Rose Vavasour
lounges on a spacious ottoman; the
tea-urn steams on a table between
them
AS he enters Rose gathers her long
train together and makes room for
him.
"1ca is only just in" she says;
let me give you some"
And she fills a dainty Sevres cup
for him and puts it in his hand with a
smile.
Heron stretched out his long legs
before the fire and sips his tea Lady
Letchford appears to be doing.
yet are quite a stranger" says
Rose, smiling forward at him 'Why
do you not come and see us oftener?"
He looks at the fire silently for a
moment
81 have been about great deal late
ly."
IF you have been amusing your
self, that is quite sufficient excuse"
He smiles grimly.
Il don't know that | have been
amusing myself. Does any one be-
tween the ages of fifty and sixty ever
amuse himself"
She laughs softly
Eyes; l DO. Lave been amusing
myself, and I am not siXty-quite."
He raises his eyes slowly, and let's
them rest on her. No, she is not
sixty-she is young TOO young for a
professional beauty. He looks at
her with sense of pleasure which is
quite novel to him; there is somethin2
about her tonight which strikes him as
novel and strange; he certainly
thought he knew the face most mi
nutely-as indeed did most people
seeing that her portrait could be
bought-in many attitudes and divers
expressions-7in every fancy, shop in
the face ana yet rdhlghe' mere was an
added charm about it, touch of ten
derness and melancholy softness, that
was like balm to his wearied spirit.
He thought that il was because she
had grown more beautiful in reality.
IN reality, it is r cause he, thought
far from feeling It. is worn out, body
and spirit; and the exquisite lowell
ness tells upon him like toned music,
He does not know it, would laugh at
any one who should presume to tell
him so, but the hard life which would
have crushed less ironlike constitu-
ton. has done its work even with him:
incessant DISSIPATION and restless
nights are far more fatal than broken
hearts.
Let me give you some more tea ."
she says. Then | must go, think"
He raised himself and looked IN.
Go? Where? Oh, yes, to the
Merivales! Must you go tonight?"
She hesitates, and moves the dainty
hand-screen slowly to and fro
81 am afraid have half promised"
Half promises are less reliable even
than pie crusts. Whom have you
promised?"
She hesitates again, and shifts the
screen so that he cannot see her face.
Lord Cornvale," she replies
Heron raises his head and frowns.
then he gets up slowly and stands
with his back 10 the fire, looking down
at the hearthrug.
They are to have a large party for
this time of the year. fancy it is got
up for him. Win you not come with
me?"
No he says, abruptly.
She does not look offended indeed.
rather FAINT light of satisfaction
CLEANS in her blue eyes. If she can
but pique him into anger and resent
ment she will gain all she wants.
NO, | suppose not" she says. You
must he tired. You were hunting
Yesterday, were you not? They said
that you had a wonderful run. Do you
like your new horse?"
He mods absently, his mind is halt.
ing in the balance. Shall he ask her
to stay, or shall he let her go. and re.
sign her to the old, worm-worn roue?
With restless impatience he goes to
the window and back again. and
stands looking down at her as she sits
apparently sereuely reposeful, but in
reality with fast-beating heart, for she
sees with womanly instinct the strug.
gle that is going on within his heart.
Suddenly she turns her head and
looks up at him as ne stands over her
Would you please ring and ask
them TO send the 0rougham?"
He goes to the bell, hut he does not
ring It; instead, he turns back to
5is old place, and says, in a low voice:
Do not go tonight. Stay-for nv