Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-27
Leola Dale's
Fortune
Ns~N~s~ -. sst~ s~s~s~s~s~s<
Continued.


ITO Honoria Dale, his sister, or her
eldest child" repeated Mr., Ford, slow
", emphasizing each word with his
forefnger, Consequently, you-your
mother being dead and you being the
eldest, the only child-are the heiress
TO Lorme Abbey and to Godfrey
Lorn e's immense wealth.
Still Leola stared at him with dark,
houghtful eyes.
"You-you don't understand, my
dear Miss Dale" he said, coming
nearer and holding up his hand Il
say that you are Godfrey Lormes
heiress, and that, instead OF teaching
music, you will find plenty of work in
spending the money which your uncle
has left you. You are, in fact, rich
beyond the dreams of avarice and
he stopped suddenly, for Lecla had
fallen heavily forward upon the piano.
which set up dismal discord as she
struck the keys with her arms.
Heaven bless my soul" exclaimed
the old lawyer. I'm sure | broke ii
the old lawyer. I'm sure broke it
gently enough The poor child has
tainted! Here-here! Mrs. What-d'ye-
call-her! Help!"
The landlady IAN in, and pounced
upon the limp figure at the piano, and
turned a wrathful face to the anxious
and bewildered old man.
Poor dear. she's tainted! What
have you said and done to her?"
II exclaimed the old MIN extend
ing his hands; nothing, that is, | have
merely-in the most cautious terms,
my good woman-informed her that
she is the heiress to one of the finest
properties in the kingdom The news
has been too much foi her. 1t has
overwhelmed her, and she has tainted
II IS the sudden joy!"
Sudden joy" echoed the land
lady, sobbing. It's nothing of the
sort, sir, begging your pardon 1t isn't
the good news. no, no! The poor,
dear child has faitttd for want of
food
Want of ood! gasped the lawyer
Good Heaven. to think that The mis-
tress of Lorme Abbey should faint
for want of food lit is too hor-
rible. Here-get some wine-some
brandy-no, port wine! Take this :"
he cried, Selling boy from a group
of children clustered at the door, and
all more or less crying Take this
sovereign. and get a bottle OF port
from the nearest public-house you
know. Stop I'll go myself" and the
impulsive old gentleman hurried out.
When he returned, which he very
quickly did. with a bottle of port
and with perspiration streaming down
his forehead, Leola had come to; it
was the first time in her life that she
had ever tainted, and she looked very
white and wan.
There, there!" said the old gentle
man, pouring out glass of wine,
and splitting quite the contents of an
other on the carpet, drink that before
you say another world"
Leola slipped it.
That's right, that's right! Heaven
bless my soul. | never was so upset
in all my life. Such sweet, beauti-
full girl beg your pardon, Miss
Dale. Now-another sip-just a sip.
That's it, Tut. TUT" and he mopped
the perspiration on his forehead in
the greatest excitement.
Presently, Leola looked up; there
was a faint color in her cheeks, but
she was very grave.
You say" said she, slowly, fixing
her eyes upon him, and holding the
landlady's hand that am rich-very
rieh!"
Immensely" said Mr. Ford open
ing his arms expressiyely.
Can have some money now?"
Certainly, certainly, my young
lady, I'll draw a Geek, eh!" he broke
off, for Leola shook her head. mo?
All! see-not check" and he quick
" thrust his hand in his pocket and
drew out some gold and a little
crump ID roll of notes; there is lit
tie" and he placed it on a table.
Mrs. Tibbett uttered a cry-of
alarm, as it seemed; she had not seen
so much money al at once IN her
life; but Leola merely smiled, and
drawing It toward her. pushed It
quietly into the landlady's hand
The children are safe now" she
said family; you can pay the rent
The tender-hearted woman burst
into tears, the children set up
chorus of sobs; but Leola sat gravel
smiling, with a little tremulous culver
of the delicate lips.
rich, rich" she murmured; Il am
rich,'