Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-19
CHAPTER xXxVIII.

(1HF IN NNNVliis
1t is noon or the morning following
the strange meeting with the two low
ers, and the spring sunshine is flush
| ing Bond street. and wooing the
| young leaves of the park trees.
Carriages are lust beginning to roll
along the handsome streets; men ap
pear by twos and threes on the club
steps, with that little, confused, absent,
and "no-appetite-just-yet," sort of look
which lasts frcm, say, ten to one
o'clock
Vane, lingering in the coffee-room
Of the Rag ana Famish," exchanges
salutations with the inmates, and
glances idly at the morning paper.
AS usual he has nothing to do, and
is DONG it with graceful ease and con-
tentment
Presently the door swings open
noiselessly, and the young Duke of
Gretnor looks around.
'IIalloa. Vane." ne says; just the
man | was looking for"
That's what my taller always says
confcllnd him." says Vane, fitting his
hat back What is it. my child?"
why, look here. l think OF taking
the coach down to Richmond. and
want you and Letchford to come. Miss
Vayasour half promised-thaI S ali one
ever gets out of her now--that she
would join us If Letchford was coming.
But can't find him, at least. couldn't
last night. | drove around to Mivart's,
and mis- man-Jecent sort CT fellow. by
the way-said his master had not
come home. Looked rather anxious,
| thought"
Vane laughs softly.
''That's a way Parks has got He
has lived with Heron since ne was a
boy, or something like that, and is
rather more attached t i'm than is
his own mother. Hadn ;ome home,
Ell? Well. there's nothing in that"
The young duke drops into a chair
and chuckles knowingly.
Taking last fling or two, sup
pose. Let's see. when do you chain
him up? Lucky dog! wish | was
in his shoes"
You'd better say that to my sister,"
says Vane. coolly; "I'll bet you what
YOU like she throws Heron over"
The young duke shakes his head.
No, you're wrong. | don't know
much about women-oh grin away
but | dc know this-that IL ever wo-
man was right down knocked over to
a man, Miss Vavasour is to Letchford.
We never stood a chance with him.
not even Cornvale! BY the way.
they tell me that Corn has gone to
South Africa-says he hates white
women, they are so false, and means
20 Try dusky bride. When do you
| So he marriage is to come OFF,"
he yawns slightly.
have to ans wel tlat question
o. l have to answer II fifty times
day. wish Rose Or Heron would
! advertise it in the papers. How long,
oh, about six weeks If | had ever
entertained the mad idea of pIunging
into matrimony, this affair would act
as sufficient deterrent"
Il hate fuss. and there has been
enough fuss over this to last one
lifetime. used to think | should
like to be-well-like you and Heron.
and the other Plutos, but can see it's
a mistake. It's bad enough when
i you've got a couple of rooms in the
>lbany to do up and arrange, but with
lot OF places Which people like yor
End Heron have g0S il must be simply
crushing. Hasn't come back, has he?
l.et me see, he went down the ,iav he.
| fore yesterday 70 one of his places in
the country, = little place in Wiltshire,
which be hasn't seen for yelrs. an.
which means to make is headquar-
| ters.''
| But what about Letchford Void ?"
| says the young duke, who, like every
| body else, feels q strange interest in
Sir Heron Letchford; it is not only be-
cause the great beauty Of the day has
refused the greay par: Of the day for
his sake-it is not because he ( one
of the old ioblesse; there is something
Eevond this. indefinite AMI Intangible
it may be, but effective enough to
rlaEe him a matter of curiosity wher-
ever he gees.
When he enters ballroom with the
beauty on his arm. women look after
MIN with that fascinated gaze which
wild life eXerts over them. and they
whisper. behind their fans.
That is Sir = III IAtchfori. who
lost ten thousand pounds in oue night.
. They say he has committed murder
and never gees to sleep,
And though they laugh !ncredulolis.
y. something of the fabulous story
olings and holds.
"Letchford Woll." says Vaue. with
q Sudden vawn that hides vague en-
5arrassment. 'Oh, he has taken a dis.
like to the place got tired Of it, I
suppose; besi1as, Lady Letchfori is
to live there If you want him to 20
with you, III better go and find him.
hadn't IL he adds.
ID" says the duke. Bring him
fere, and we'll have bit of lunch be.
fore We start"
Fane nois, and saunters ont.
Parks opens the doors to him. anu
that candid look OF disappointment
which sits uYUn the face Of one who
expects another than yourself.
Well, Parks. Sir Heron up YETI"
Up. Mr. Vane, He ain't back.
sir" SAYS Parks.
Not back. Ell ," says Vane. entering
inI throwing himself into the easiest
hair