Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-05-03

CHAPTER XVI.

stable CLOCK mas scarcely chlmed
eleven when the high log cart and the
big chestnut. which is at once the awe
end admiration of Newlands dash
out of the Void gates and rattla along
The smooth roads. Perched on his
elevated seat an in his ulster sits
Heron.
He is quite alone, in accordance
with the stipulation he had made
with Carrie on the preceding night
and i'll place of smart groom pile
OF Scotch wraps an Carding water
proofs occupy the back seat.
1t is what hunting men call an open
morning what clouds there are float
laz.lv above the elms mild and
amiahly disposed sun warns the air
an shines on the chestnuts sleek
coat an the cleaning brass of the
workmanlike harness. The chestnut
is in the best of humOrs, and evident
ly means going" and in Sir Herons
face there is not trace of the rest
less. suspicious pain with which he
stare at the fire last night. He looks
indeed as Vane declared as he
watched him start, "absurdly and in
sanely happy"
OF his mother he has, this morning,
seen nothing. but she has sent down
word by Rose Vavasour that she hopes
that he will enjoy himself and, marvel
Gus to relate, she requested that he
will give her kind regards to Miss
Dalton"
On all sides the social atmosphere,
which only yesterday was dark and
cloudy, has cleared in a most remark
able manner thanks, as Sir Heron
feels, to the beauty.
Rose is a brick" he mu. ters once
or twice. Il hadn't given Ler credit
for such good nature. Yes. she is a
brick, and if she gets as good hus-
band as | wish he'll be fine fellow in
deed"
Yes, Sir Heron Letchford is hap
pier this morning than he had ever
thought it possible that he should be;
and as be steers his chestnut up the
drive of Gresham House and pulls up
at the door there sits on his face
smile which would much astonish
some of his oil friends who were
wont to call him the cynic.
Scarcely has the chestnut brought
his forefeet with a clatter to the
ground than the door opens and Car
RE runs out.
Her face is one vast, substantial
smile, which develops into a cry of
delight as size looks up at the fiery
chestnut and the lofty get ready"
she herself having been dressed
twenty minutes ago
ooh Sir Heron, what a beautiful
horse, Are we really going to have
him? Do you think he will run away !?
1t has been the ambition of nv life to
ride in dog cart with a runaway
horse"
"All right. Carrie" he retorts. well
try to oblige you. But where's Mayo"
"Oh, putting on her things" says
Carrie. with a pout that makes her
lip look like a particularly tempting
cherry. "Of course, she would not &c
until she heard you coming. She
said you would be sure to be late
gentlemen always were"
He laughs.
Seems to have vast knowledge of
gentlemen's habits" he says. well.
! daresay he'll wait three minutes"
he adds, stroking the fidgeting horse
with his whip. IF she's longer than
that he will probably fly through the
dining room window, and | won't pay
the glaciers DILL"
Before the three minutes had elaps-
ed tall, girlish figure in sealskin is
seen descending the stairs, and May
comes out. Heron can see her before
she sees him, and Heron notices,
with a lovers quicllness. that she looks
somewhat pale and-yes. anxious:
but the moment she comes to the door
and looks up to meet his eager gaze
the color flies to her face and the
anxious look disappears.
Good gracious" she says. with
laugh and a stare How are we to
get up-have you brought a ladder?"
No he says. You bargained for
the dog cart and here it is It's Just
as well you should get used to it, my
lady. There's a step down there
You can see it with the naked eye if
you look closely. Put your foot on
il and give me your hand"
81 shall most certainly break my
neck" she says, putting her foot on
the two inches of iron: but he grasps
her hand and the next moment she is
landed on the rugs beside him.
Carrie scorns both advice and as
sistance. and chambers up behind he
fore he can turn to help her.
But even she looks down from the
terrific height with something like
awe
Is it perfectly balanced?" she asks
laughing because ] foei as if were
going to be tilted cut"
Balanced? Yes; unless you've eaten
an extra piece of toast for breakfast.
Sit sideways and put your arm over
the lack Comfortable"
Delicious! II is Ike sitting on
sofa," cries Carrie.
Then off we go" he saws. Don't be
frightened" for at the touch of the
whip the chestnut makes desperate
uttempt to cleave a piece out of the
sky; but his strong hand and word Of
reproach brings him on his four legs
again. and with a dash. as if they had
been discharged from the Woolwich