Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-22

struggles Oh. II uUCo not OCCUR 10
him that he b is distinctly, though po-
litely, deserted Rose Vavasour, and
that she must be watching him and the
rival for whom he has discarded her
1t does not occur to him that there
are at least a score of high-born dam
sells with whom he ought to have
danced before he gave his hand to this
fair unknown. and a civil word to
whom he has not yet even spoken! All
this does not occur to him. and even il
it did, would not trouble him for an in
slant.
Sufficient for the moment is the de-
light thereof" is as good an adage as
the other one referring to evil, and it
is enough that the sweet young face
rests almost on his shoulder-that the
fragrance of the flower, lying like a
jewel encased in her silken hair, steals
over his eager sense-that the young
maiden heart beats so near-so peril
ously near!-his own.
"One more turn" he pleads. Zone
more"
II is fatal request. Ere they have
accomplished the circuit of the room
his uncertain feet stumble and blum
der, and as harp, tearing sound ac-
quaints him that he has torn her
dress!
He stops, and grasps her firmly
for she has stumbled-and utters an
exclamation of remorse
Flushed and painting, May Olsen
cages herself and looks down. A slit.
a yard in length. runs along the front
Of her white satin, and the great gap
stares up at her reDroachfully.
There said Sir Heron, in a tone
of dismay Il knew l should do you
damage! That comes of dancing with
an untaught savage, What is to be
done"
May locks down, and then upward at
his aghast countenance, and laughs.
How did you possibly manage it?'
she says.
Upon my word l don't know" he
says, penitently. MY foot must have
caught in it..
But how-have you spurs on?"
And she chances demurely at his heels.
/ Satin ought not to tear like this.
Well, l must go home"
And with little sigh. she looks
around the room for her chaperone.
But they have pulled up at the side
near the gallery, and away from the
line of old ladies who decorated two
sides of the room.
Home! Nonsense, Impossible! The
ball isn't half over, and-and besides.
you promised me another dance"
Il did not"
AT any rate, you mustn't think of
going, he says, evading the question.
The fellows whose names are down
on our card for the rest of the dances
will tear me to pieces if you dol
Can't something be done? On, don't
knock me down, sir, I'd rather get out
of the way" this to corpuIent gentle.
man who bounces himself and partner
against him. Let us go into the gal
lery-they'H run over us otherwise.
Can't something be done?"
"If Mrs. Geoffrey Turner sees this
she will take me away directly. 1t is
right in the 'front.'"
Mrs. Godfrey Turner" he says.
quickly; 81 know her, she is a friend
of mine. Are you her daughter-no,
niece? G., there she is. Come
/ along out of sight at any rate" he
says, desperately; and before May can
resist he draws her hand within his
arm and hurries her into the gallery.
Now" he says. "let us Sc what can
be done. Can it be pinned? Have you
some pins?"
mo! 1t is the one article one is
sure to require at a ball. and the last
article we should think of bringing.
mo, | haven't pin. You might as
well ask me for a battle-ax."
Sir Heron looked around in despair,
which rapidly changes to hope as he
sees one of the female attendants who
is passing at little distance. ana
who hurries toward them at the sound
of his peremptory summons.
"a pin, Sir Heron; oh, what a pity;
shall ="
But Sir Heron had dropped on one
knee, and holds the satin crushed up
in heap in his hands.
Give me the pin," he says, valiant
ly. That's it-now arother-one more
will do it. What's the matter?'
For Mays low, ripping laugh, which
has provided sort of accompanying
music to his millinery performances,
dies suddenly away, and he feels the
satin jerked so swiftly and unexpected
ly that pin runs into his finger.
What on earth have I done now p
he says. staring up at her Then, fol
lowing the direction in which her eyes
are fixed with an embarrassed stare.
he still on his knees, turns his head.
There. close behind them, stands my
Lady Letchfort., like statue of Fate
ROBBED in black satin: behind her. pale
and contcmptuOus. shines the fair face
If Rose Vavasour, while to complete
the picture, Mrs Godfrey Turner
sails in. and stopping suddenly, stares
likewise. 1t forms what stage man
ager would call IAN interesting tableau.
But cool and unqaunted Sir Heron
confronts the three pairs of eyes and
does not arise
You have just come in time Mrs
Turner, you may well stand transfxed
with wrath and dismayl / am the
sacrilegious wretch whose barbarous
foot has wrought this deed, Show
vCl1r consideration for a nauitent