Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-04-19
CHAPTER XIV.


Carrie utters an exclamation of sur
prise.
oh, May, now kind, how really
kind and thoughtful. She has come
to tell YOU how glad she is"
A sudden smile, not of mirth, but
incredulity, sweeps over Mays face,
and she laughs quiet laugh which IS
rather one OF mild bravalo than joy.
LAY not that fiattering JUNCTION to
your SOUL Carrie. as Shakespeare
says" she whispers. IF | know her
iadyship she has not come over to
pay me an early visit of congratula
ton. but to proclaim a state of war
Hush, Do not say anything. | hear
papa-and-- and Sir Heron and
Mr.. Dalton enter the room. the latter
gentleman flushed and looking slightly
crestfallen, but not dissatisfied; the
former with an eager, expectant look
in his eyes which dies out as Mays
dress whis!s through the opposite
door
She pauses a moment in the hall to
we'll TO gain her fighting breath
for, Ike warhorse, she scents the
battle from afar; then, with a face as
composed as she can keep, she opens
the drawing-room door.
Enclosed in furs, with that hideCus
kind of bonnet which old ladies of her
class specially affect-Lady Letchford
rises from her chair and confronts
her For a moment the hard, stern eA,
preston In the cold gray eyes melts,
it is impossible even for this naughty
mother who has come ito save her
son" to look upon the girl unmoved
by her pure. fresh beauty and youth
full, natural grace.
For a moment, for one little mo-
ment, she flinches. and wishes that
Rose Vavasour mad not put the idea or
personal encounter into her head,
Then she thinks of Heron-thinks or
all she has come to fight for, and
hardend herself.
With little icy smile that is meant
to be cCnciliatory, she holds out two
fingers Of her thickly gloved hand.
"Good-morning, my dear" she says,
her voice closely resembling that of
the wolf when he accosts Red Riding
Hood. 1T is scarcely necessary to
ask whether you are better this morn
ing? You look the personification of
health"
Il am quite well, thank you" says
May then they seat themselves op>
posite to one another, and May wisely
waits for her opponent to open fire.
Il was so sorry that you were un-
well last night" says my lady, and
am very glad to find that it was only
passing weakness. But and she
lowers her voice-'but it was not to
speak solely OF that that brought me to
you so early this morning, Miss Dial
ton. Indeed. | ought to apologize for
intruding at such an unusual hour.
Il am very glad to see you, Lady
Letchford," says May, in appalling un.
truthfulness.
Lady Ietchford smiles grimly. Il
am afraid you will not feel so pleased
when you have heard the object of my
visit" she says.
May raises her eyes, and looks her
straight in the face with a grave COM
posture that is not without effect.
Il have come, my dear young lady
continued her ladyship. Ito have few
quiet words with you respecting some
thing which occurred between you ana
him last night
She pauses. and May again looks up
in silence.
"Of course, you did not expect him
to conceal the matter from me?" says
her ladysnip, sharply.
But even this does not break the
patient self-restraint of the fair op,
ponent.
Il am glad TO be able to say that
my son. Sir Heron, came straight to
me with the confession of what
must call his strange folly"
Silence still.
ITO say that was shocked ana
grieved is but poorly to describe the
disappointment and sorrow with which
I heard that he contemplated a step
which would eventually ruin his pros.
poets and position in life, and not only
his future. but yours, my dear Miss
Dalton"
Now May looks up and speaks.
1T was very kind of you to consider
NE. Lady Letchford," she says, ans
there is something in the tone of the
clear voice that brings the thin color
to the blanched cheek.
1T is true she says, Il did con.
slider you. OF course. l thought of my
SONS welfare first. 1t is naturally the
first consideration with me-his
mother. But / thought Of you and felt
sorry for you--that you should even
Tor a moment have been led to think
that such an engagement as that OF
your marriage with Sir Heron was
possible. But | do not wish to take
this tone. or TO look at the matter In
this sever way. I hope sincerely
hope that the quiet night has brought
reflection with it, and that YOU your.
self see how unwise-how impossible
such a match must be"
A faint smile. half sad, half naive,