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

power to call her back to life, she
draws a long, laboring sigh, and, with
a shudder Of paine, shrinks closer
against his heart.
AS he feels her nesting of her own
will, as it were, against him, the blood
rushes to his face, his heart leaps
within him.
My darling!" he murmurs, ''oh, my
darling-my darling!"
And it is this word-this passionate
cry which assails Mays ear as she
comes back reluctantly to life.
Slowly the beautiful eyes open and
look up vacantly, then presently she
recognizes the pale, handsome face
above her, and in place of vacancy
comes a look of startled questioning,
followed by a swift, hot blush of maid.
emily shame
"What-what has happened?" she
breathes.
"Hush-bush," he says. DO you
move"
With a sigh she attempts to raise
her hand to her brow, but let's it fall
with cry of pain; then pale again,
gently draws away from hin-.'
1T fell on me. did it not?" she says,
with a little woe-begone smile. THAT
comes OF disturbing old institutions"
And still gentl she puts his arm
from her and sin on a chair.
Sir Heron stan, over her, his hea {
beating fast. hi =yes drinking in,
with a strange Ia. .,ture of pain and
delight, the beautiful face over wtich
sweeps the soft red and white; he
cannot trust himself to speak.
Yes, remember saw it falling.
and yet could not move. was fasci,
mated. think. Is my arm broken?"
He goes on his knees and gently
raises the white arm with its ugly red
mark
NO she says, with a smile that
costs her an effort, ait isn't broken. 1t
would hurt me a great deal more if it
were"
please do not look so concerned
It is a mere scratch. I ought to be
ashamed of myself for faintine /
suppose l did faint? l have never
done so before that I can rem anber.
Where is Carrie? Did it falI on herr"
NO, he says. still hoarsely; lit fell
on none of Us but you" with passionate
anger-''it was my fault | did that"
and he points to the blood that is trick
ling down her arm.
"That-that is nonsense she says,
WITH a smile.
Yes, I did it," he says. Il. who
would have given my life TO spare you
a moments pain"
Indeed. It was not your fault. or
any one else's, he says. YES, the
bracket gave way, and-and it does
not matter; there is no harm done be
yond a scratch and a bruise. Please
please do mo- look so distressed. I
am all right. Why should you he so
distressed"
why? Because l would give a
dozen lives. if l had them, to guard
you from a mere scratch, az yon call
it, Because / love you
Sir Heron!"
Yes" he says. Il understand.
know that / have no right TO say so.
know that you are pledged TO an
other"
-pledged-to-another, she says,
family
Is it not so-you look-do you mean
to tell me that it is not so? DO you
say that ! am mistaken. that your
heart is free? For Heavens sake, do
you keep me In suspense?"
"Wha-what do you mean?" she
murmurs brokenly. DO you mean
that 1 am engaged to marry any one?--
indeed you are wrong, quite wrong! /
60 not understand"
No be exclaims, hurriedly "Oh,
my darling, what a weight you have
taken from my heart. Forgive me"
he pleads. humliy MAY love
carried me beyond myself Say that
you forgive me"
"Carrie-where is Carrier"
As If 10 answer her prayer Carrie
runs IN.
oh Sir Heron. ] cant find the
drawlugFoom Oh May, you are
better Waal was f.? Are you hurt