Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-05

ghost
He smiles grimly, ard ops into
his old chair
A servant comes in and re. the
tea service. Lady Letchford louses.
What are you talking about?" she
says. Have you any news, Heron?"
No" ne says. we were talking
about ghosts"
"A cheerful topic, is it not?'
laughs Rose at ought to be &C
compapied by slow music, and she
gets up ard goes to the piano, hum
ming softly.
the old lady arises stiff1y, and MUIR
muring something about her work, ;"
goes out OF the room.
Heron opens the door for her and
then retires to his chair; as he does
Sc Rose begins to lay soft, low-toned
sonata, that floats through the room
IN waves >of dreamy music; then,
without stopping, she glides into a
song, and again there is a something
in her voice which strikes him as new
end strange. 1t acts as a spell on the
subtle charm, and when she ceases.
he says. gently:
DO not stop. Sing something more"
Her fingers wander over the keys
lightly, and she sings again; then
she moves back 10 the fire and stands
behind him. half leaning on his chair.
Something, some understandable feel
ing compels him to turn his head and
look up at her. and as he does so, he
meets her eyes bent down upon him
with a sad, wistful tenderness that
sends the blood to his face and back
again. leaving him, as he rises and
bends over her, pale and excited.
"Rose." he says, IN low voice.
With sudden glance she turns
away, her eyes tremulous with moist
ure, her lps quivering. She turns
away. her lace downcast, her hand
faltering at The bracelet on her arm
her fingers te.uble so that the brace
1t comes uufastened and falls. with
a dull clink, to the ground.
lie stoops and RECEIVERS it, and holds
it UP for moment, then he takes her
hand and slips it over her soft, warm
arm. AS he does so, he feels it
tremble beneath his touch.
He looks up.
What is the matter?" he asks, in
low voice.
She raises her eyes and lets them
rest for moment. meekly pleading
ON his
why are you angry with me?' she
nulmurs.
Angry" he echoes. with his eyes
6yet on hers, mis- spirit troubled by
the distress in her beautiful face
Angry? am not--yes. l am angry
this about Cornvale, Rose?"
She looks aside, and attempts to
draw her hand slowly from his. but
he nolds ii firmly in his hot fingers.
What is it?" he repeats. is this
what they are rumoring true? Can it !
be possible that-that-'
She turns her head still further
away; her long lashes sweep her
face, now pale as a lily; her bosom
heaves with what he may well mistake
for distress.
rs it true" he says, sternly, that
he means to ask you to be his wife?"
Yes she falters, almost inaudi5ly,
lit is true-he has asked me
He drops her hand and PAGES to and
fro, and she sinks into a chair with
meekly bent head
Rose ne says, standing over her,
do you know what you are doing?-I
do you know this man? He is old
enough to be your father father, bad
enough
He pauses, for, with sudden ges-
ture. she looks up at him.
Il know Why should care? Herrn,
do not reproach me; IL cannot bear
hard word. an unkind look from
iyou!"
| And as she speaks she puts out one
hand, and lays it timidly, 1mploringly
on his arm, her face turned I'D to
Ihirl with passionate pleading.
Blame him as sou will-call him
tickle and unstable-but while you
! blame, remember that thl face so up-
turned is that of the mos. beautiful
woman of her day-that the voice pos
Isessed as subtle a power to charm as
Cleopatra of oId-tbat her hand
caressed and courted caress--and
that the man was storm-tossed and
wearied
Under the eloquence OF Eat soft.
white hand which clings to hi I'M so
sppealingly his resolution wakes
| fainter and fainter
Rose" he murmurs, this must not
be!-by Heaven, it shall not be- It
were much better that you should mar
ry even me than such MAJ as Corn
valei"
A vivid crimson floods hsr face, and
her eyes droop.
Yes" he says, "much--much bet
ter" And he bends over her for a mo-
nlent in silence, his eyes fixed on her
iowncast face. Then he says, in a
low voice: Rose, viii you knowing
! all that has passed-be my wife?"
For moment she remains motion
less, then she turns her head, ard.
wiCh still downcast eyes, touches ais
hand with ner lips.
a man must be colder than ice to
Withstand such a caress from such
woman.
] With a sud-, thrill he bends over
her, and taking her in his arms, looks