Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-12

could as soon nave dreamed OF meet
ing the dead here as you Heaven! TO
think CT seeing you-you standing
there?"
More to himself than TO her the bit
ter words drop from his bitter lips. He
longs 10 leap on his horse ami ride
Tide anywhere out of reach of those
dark eyes, which hold him with a
fascination which is irresistible.
You have been in trouble" he says,
rres Emily. Il did not know it. am
sorry
She looks at him for a moment and
then her gaze goes back to the hills.
1T must have been a great trouble, "
he says, slowly, almost mechanically,
as he takes in the sweet mournfulness
that sits enthroned on her beautiful
face-the face that rested on his
breast and shone with such ineffable
Joy. not-ah not so many months
ago.
yes, l have been in trouble" she
says. But that is past"
Past" he echoes. And -aEl you
are happy now
1t is a cruel question, though he
does not mean it as such.
For a moment she is silent, then she
turns her ewes upon him.
This lane leads to the high road,
Sir Heron, and she makes as if to go.
He pats out his hand in a hesitating
way.
"stay-stop-do not go! Heaven!
what can I say? How can leave you
alone like this?"
A smile. sad and bitter, fickers on
her face.
7 am used to being alone. Sir
Heron"
He looks at her with sudden fierce
ness.
Alone? Why?" he says. "why
should you be? You were not alone
when l saw you last"
She turns and looks at him, and
something in her look strikes him
with sudden fear and trembling. II
is not-no, it is not the look of q
guilty, treacherous woman.
),
'yOu-oh, Heaven! that one so fair
with such a face as yours, should be So
talse Why did you deceive me?-for
what purpose? In another woman
could have understood it; but you, who
never spared your scorn for the
wealth and rank which other women
sell themselves for: you why did you
play me false?'
Wit a quick gesture she turns upon
him, her face afame, her eyes flash
ing, her lips struck dumb with indigna.
ton.
Yes" he says, savagely. you look
like this, You would giy2 me lie for
lie. woman like-the fends made you
all alike, AMI blind fool that
should be!-would belize GU if had
not stood beside you on that cursed
night, ana seen and heard your treach
cry You cannot deny it! You play
eei me false-you with your innocent
face and child-like smile. Tell me-
am | mad. or did I see you two to
gether there in the wood?"
In his passion he made step toward
her, his eyes fiercely blazing into hers
his hand outheld.
But she ,loes not finch, neither by
look nor movement.
pile and proud she stands, and hel
lips open 10 hurl back the accusation
hut suddenly she remembers-remem
bers that the man who stands before
her is not only her old lover who has
cast her of, but the affianced husband
Of Rose Vavasour.
Witout a word she turns from him
you are silent" he says-"even you
can find no excuse for such treachery
You know loved you, and you played
with my love like the falsest of your
sex; anu now you turn upon me with
eyes like these, Have you forgotten
so soon. Traitors have short mem
ories.'
Then she turns upon him with a
smile Of bitter reproach.
He understands the smile. and
knows that she has heard of his en-
gagement
by that smile. he can read what is pass
ing in her mind
With an oath ground out between
his teeth, he turns and lays his hand
upon the horse.
No, there is nothing to be saio be
tween MS Would to Heaven | had
rot crossed your path l had-yes, ]
had almost learned to forget you
Now"
And ne stops to look at her. his
eyes deyouring her downcast face as il
he would impress it on his memory for
all time
May turns aside and leans on The
gate, waiting for him to go.
Before her the hills swim in mist
of unshed tears, his voice rings heavi
ly on her ears. her strength is almost
spent
Slowly, MECHANICALLY, he adjusts the
stirrup-strap his eyes wandering visit
fully toward her, then he makes an
attempt to mount, but instead comes a
step nearer to her.
may ne says, anu MS voice SOUNDS
hCarse and broken. May"
She half turns, and after q mo
ment's pause. he goes on:
DO not let us part like this. The
past has gone-gone! never ex
pected to meet you thus-alone.
did not wish to meet you. Fate has
thrown US together-to torture me
and distress you. But-but we have
met, ami we must part. Do not lei