Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-27

lovely place-perfeetly lovely.
suppose you would like to go down
there"
Il should" said Leola; 'ff I may"
Mayr' cried the old gentleman;
THE Queen of England couldn't keep
you out of it. 1t is yours TO go to
when you like"
Il should like to go at once" said
I-eola. with lips half parted with
eagerness.
Yes, BIT you must take someone
with you. It's" and he laughed-'a
perfect town of place, so large you
inow. You would feel lost; you must
have companion"
!. cfn take Mrs, Tibbett," said
Leola, she shall come and be house
keeper. Oh, that is delightful"
AS you please, my dear young
lady" assented the old lawyer.
We must advertise for lady com
panion, said Mr.. Ford. "I'll do it
at once. And now let me see. You
will want to do some shopping. and
I've brought you some money; not
check. There are thousands of
pounds lying at Coutts for you, and
you must get a check-book today But
here is some money to go on with. If
it is not enough, my clerk, who win
call here every morning to receive
your commands, shall bring some
more. Pray remember, Miss Dale,
that the money is ali your own" for
Leola had looked at the pile of notes
in hundreds, fifties, twenties, and
tens, half timidly.
But | shall not know what to do
with it, she said with a laugh, and
the OH man thought-it was the first
time he had ever heard her laugh
that it was the most musical he had
ever listened to.
Take Mrs. Tibet into Regent
street." he said, you'll find plenty OF
things to buy"
Yes" said Leola. That is good
idea"
Now | come to think of it," said
Mr. Ford, a. ding his brows, there
is a lady of my acquaintance, quite
unexceptionable in every way, who
would be very glal to act as. COM
panion to you. If you like. she SHAH
call upon you. Her name is Witherell
and she is the widow of captain in
the army What do you think?"
Il am sure / should like it, if You
think she will like me- she said.
IN answer for that" said the old
gentleman, with smile. And now,
about the Abbey. You would like to
go at once?"
Leola looked up with little flush.
AT once-yes.' she said, gently;
Il am anxious to see it,"
I'VE will start tomorrow morning,
said Mr. Forl, eff that will be CON
venient."
When he had gone, Leola sum-
moned Mrs. Tibet, and as she had
been advised, they wendell their way
to Regent street.
That afternoon was an event in
Mrs. Tibbett's life; she fiuctuated be
tween delight and alarm-delight at
the glorious things which were opene
our before her. and alarm at the
amount of money-simply fabulous, it
seemed to her-which Leola spent.
And then she was filed with won
der also, for Leola was so quiet and
self-possessed. and laid down bank
note after bank note with such calm
equanimity, just as if she had been
a princess born," as Mrs. Tibet re-
marked very many times afterward
AMI there were so many things
which Leola declared would suit Mrs.
Tibbett, and others which the children
wanted.
Altogether there was perhaps as
much spent over the children as over
Leola herself.
The cab that took them back to
Camden Town was tolerably we'll
loaded with parcels. and there were
more to follow them.
Among the purchases were one or
two ready-made dresses, and Leola
put one of them on.
She had scarcely done so when Mrs.
Tibbett came to the bedroom to an
nounce the arrival of Mrs. Wetherell.
If Leola was at all nervous she did
not show it, and entered theparlor,
calm and self-possessed.
An elderly lady, with a pleasant face
and high-bred manner, rose to greet
her and with a smile said
Il am Mrs. Wetherell, my dear Miss
Dale. 1t is very late Cor call, bu-
MI Ford told me that you intended
starting for the Abbey tomorrow, ans
thought that l had better come al
once. Now. my deal-you will for
give me for dispensing wit" cere
mony MIR Ford has told me your
story, and indeed it is a very romantic
one. OF course YOU want some or.
beside YOU; some. shall say tabb,
cat-sone old woman who knows the
world. and can help YOU when yol
want her TO do so. Do YOU thinF
you would like me to go with your
Leola looked at her and smil I'd. as, she
said, gently:
Yes; l hope you Will like me
4 sould be a very stony-hear led
creature if did not. said Mrs
Wetherell. drawing her to her-they
We're seated side by side-and kissing
her. Then. still holding Leola's
hand. she looked at her with genIa-
scrutiny. You have a sweet face.
my dear" she said, with a little sigh.