Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-04-05


IF Mr.. Dalton is a fair specimen OF
the kind Of men who force themselves
into society by virtue Of their newly
gotten wealth, can quite iniorse all.
that is said in their dispraise | do
not REMEMBER ever meeting with
more insufferable person"
Still Sir Heron remains silent
Are you not a little too hard, dear
Lady Letchford?" murmured Rose
Vavasour, from her soft What did
You expect?"
Lady Letchford stiffens herself until
The black satin crinkles.
Expect | expected that the man
would at least know the ordinary rules
of society and would follow them. but
-' and she raises or scent-bottle
TO her nose in eloqueh conclusion.
You don't learn manners in the
city" says Vane, Seemed to me that
the man wasn't a bad sort OF speci-
men of that kind Of animal I've seen
worse at city dinners, you know"
q trust it may never be my fate to
see anything half so bad" says Lady
Letchford grimly They are near
neighbors of overwhelmingly
and nave done my duty in making
their acquaintance, but"-and she
looks up at Sir Heron-''but trust
that tie acquaintanceship will end
here"
Eth, the girls are not 50 bad" says
Nane. condescendingly
A sudden flush passes over Sir
Heron's tanned face. but he still keeps
silence
IT might be worse.
1t is possible" says Lady Letch-
ford, scornfu.iy But we have passed
through the ordeal. and we need NOT
prolong it by discussing it, If YOU
are ready, Rose"
Quite ready says the beauty; ana
she arises and comes into the FIRE
light.
Lady LetchforJ arises slify. bur is
arrested by a movement OF Sir Heron
white hand
One moment" he says.
Lady Letchford sinks back and
looks UP at him; Rose Vavasour turns
her blue eyes up TO his &c with
sweet. serious attention.
In case" he says, with smile
that is as sardOnic as a frown on an
other mans face, in case you should
feel disposed 10 renew this sort OF
criticism in my hearing had better
tell you that l have asked Miss Dial
ton to be my wife,"
Lady Letchford does not utter a cry
Of dismay or despair. Violent express
sins OF emotion are strictly forbidden
by the rules of etiquette on which her
life is framed. but her white face and
stony eyes are more significant than
any cutlery.
Sir Heron looks at her, then turns
his eyes, with the same sardonic smile
in them, on Nane and Rose
Vane meets his gaze with wellbred
stare Of surprise; Rose-Rose merely
smiles. and it is her smile of pity and
contempt which touches him most
severely.
"Heron'~ exclaims Lady Letchford
finding her voice al last and using it as
if she We're sinking into the tomb
Heron
We'll" he says. Are you surprised?
Did YOU think / had taken VOWS of
celebI2cy? Can you not find words
strong enough to congratulate me,
Rose?"
The beauty turns TO him wifi a
smile and holds out her hand.
please forgive me-" she said Il
was taken by surprise l hope you will
be happy. Sir Heron"
Thank YOU he says. Now, Vane.
let me have your congratulations.
Eth" says Nane arising. Yes. of
course. l hope you will enjoy your
luck. Heron She is confoundedly
pretty"
Thank YOU" says Heron, with a
smile. Now. mother
Lady Letchford arises and confronts /.
him, her face as white as the driven f!
snow, her eyes blazing.
Are you mad Heron?" she says.
81 think not he says calmly. meet /.
ing her stern gaze. Madness does
not run in our family, mother"
You ask me TO congratulate you,
she says. the antique lace on her cap |
quivering with passion. Il would
sooner see you in your grave than mar
ried to the daughter of such a man"
Il don't marry the man. mother"
Il would far sooner see you lying
dead before me- she repeats. Dead, /
You must be mad to dream of perpe- |
trating such a disgraceful thing. DO
YOU forget the race of which you came. 4
No he says But think in some
slight measure of myself. love May
Dalton. mother"
Love-" she echoes, and her accents /
Of scorn fill the room Love! / do /
not forbid you loving her. but forbid /
YOU marrying her You may love any
on the estate and ! have !
nothing to do with it, but when you
ask me to receive her as my daughter
i is time Sir Heron, for me to rise
and protest"
Mother" he says, and his voice is
stern and angry, we are not alone.
You are speaking OF my future wife"
Your future wife, perhaps" said
he proud old dame. drawing herself
20 her full height. but not my daugh
err | disown her at once You may
'orget what is due to a race whose
Instained namc you bear. but / car
lot and | tell you, Heron. that the
lay and daughter of that man enters