Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-05-31

DO you mean she says. at last
'that-that my father is ruined?"
Il am afraid so, Miss Dalton" he
answers, and mis- voice quivers. VI
would be cruel TO deceive you. had
hoped, when l came down, tina. this
place and something substantial
would have been settled upon you oil
your sister, but--but it is not. II
was a strange niece of neglect on his
part. Very strange, such a sound
business man as he was! But there
is nothing settled. You-you will for
give, me. miss. but ] ask it out of the
deepest respect. I've been with YOU
father, man and boy, for forty years
forty cars." and the honest eyes fill
with tears right out now; but is
what he said to me just before he left
this room true-are you engaged tc
marry Sir Heron Letchford?
shouldn't doubt it, | know; but his
mind seemed quite unhinged. Was il
true? l do hope"
Nav turns her face away
at is quite true" she says.
Thank Heaven" he says, arising
and sitting down again agitatedly
Miss Dalton, II never was so thank
full for anything in my life. Then all
this doesn't matter, doesn't really
matter. l know Sir Heron Letchford
everybody knows him, of course. He
is one of the richest men in tht
county--the richest! Ani-and-ex
cuse me Miss Dalton" and he fairly
freaks down.
For the first time Mays face softens
and the tears spring into her eyes
Who, looking at the pale-eyed little
man, would have given him credit for
so large a heart?
'Please do not-do not" she says
going UP to him and touching his arm
81 know how good a friend my father
had in YOU. VIII you be mine, Mr.
BoXall? ! am quite helpless ami
alone, she fushes, reproachfully. as
she thinks Of Heron, and corrects her
self. Il mean that there is only my
sister Ny brother-you know my
brother?"
Mr.. Boxall shakes his head sadly.
II am afraid Mr. Dalton. junior,
wouldn't be of much use"
"He has gone abroad" she says.
hastily "You must not misiudge
him, Mr. Boxall But--but my sister.
| am thinking of her. Where can I
send her. She cannot remain here"
Mono. certainly not. miss. IT,
and he looks at her eagerIy-"if you
wouldn't think it presuming. and if
there is no one else who mas a proper
think Nd one e'se-my
wife would he proud, greatly proud to
have Miss Carrie and yourself under
her humble roof as honored guests"
Mays tears fall. Before she can
reply the door opens.
Mrs. Turner is away in Scotland.
miss. She was called away the day
before Yesterday" says the footman.
"That's the lady you sent for?" says
Mr. Boxall
Yes" saws May, sadly
Heron?' he asks, respectfully IF
not. | think
May looks down.
NO" she saws. quietly, "nC; he will
be here soon no doubt. No, will not
send for him"
CHAPTER XXI.
In silence Sir Heron AMI the beauty
make their way back to the Void; a
. ;1o,,..,. t,,o+ 10 ,,,nro +o,r;,Io than Tho
most passionate Outburst could be
the success of her
skillful maneuveT, notwithstanding
mius!rS With the bea1ty'S malicious
satisfaction a vague feeling of alarm;
that indefinite sense of insecurity
which, for instance, the most adroit
and accomplished lion tanner must
feel even while the savage beasts he
has cOwed into quietude are crouch
ing beneath his heel They may spring
up at any moment and rend their tor
mentor.
At present, however, Sir Heron does
not turn and rend her, but walks on,
with firm step and bent head, in 81
lenCe.
They reach the Void at last, after
what seems to both of them a long,
y cary march, and abating not a jot of
his usual courtesy, he opens the door
for her, and makes way for her to pass
in before him
The hall is never brilliantly lighted;
onight. by chance, only one lamp is
2urning
Sil Heron goes to a side-table and
lights a candle, and as he does so she.
standing beside him, raises her eyes
md looks at him, ana looking, shud-
lers involuntarily.
HIS face is white and haggard; it is
ike the face of man who has receiv-
J a mortal wound. and who is in
.rcasin@ his agony in his efforts to
conceal it; il is tie face of a man who
las staked his all on The cast of a die.
,nd-loSt it!
Her once smooth. serenely lovely
pates and shrinks as she
aoks at him, and almost uncOn-
;ciodsly. she stretches out her hand
,nd touches his arm fearfuny and
mildly
Heron
He starts and looks at her, as if
aware of her presence.
"Well?" he says, quietly, with the
Iuiet apathy of a man who has ae-
.eptsd mis- fate. "Well?"
Heron" she says, falteriEgly, q
am very sorry"
He smiles a cold. mechanical smile
hat is too lifeless to be bitter.