Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-06-28
Continued.


nights, SO much so that the rumors of
his bad luck have reached the house
in Grosvenor Square, where Lady
Letchford sits unutterably wretchel
and miserable. hea ting stories of his
wild life, and helpless to mend it.
But once since she has been in
town, and she arrived three weeks
ago, has he been near her, ana then he
stayed a bare quarter of an hour re-
fused to live in the house, or even to
dine with her, and wore such an eX-
preston ON his pale, stern face, that
| she did not dare to put one of the
questions or circumstances which
| lowered on her lips.
Although he has lost May, although
she as proved false and unworthy, he
cannot forget or forgive his mother
for prophesying her unworthiness,
cannot endure to meet the proud, sor-
rowful face that reminds him so vivid
~ of Mays.
"Halloa, Heron" says Vane Just
got back? Had a good rum"
Heron mods; every eye is fixed on
him. Yes, fairly so. l came by the
mail"
The duke whistles.
THE mail, By George, Letchford,
YOU don't 10 things by halves. You
started yesterday, OF was it the day
before--one never knows which was
| yesterday: it's morning now of
course! and here you are back again.
Don't you ever sleep?"
Heron smiles grimly
Not much" he says What is
it,"
"Baccarat, SAYS Vane, rising.
Come and take my place, I've had
the most confounled luck"
Heron drops into the chair YEARLY
and takes up the cards, ami Vane
signs to a footman to bring more
champagne.
you missed a good thing last
the best ball of the season, wasn't it,
Vavasour? Everybody there, and
quite fight Tor the best dances.
managed to get one from Miss Vava-
sour, but only by the skin of my
teeth. And I shouldn't be surprised
if l get called out by Cornvale."
Heron looks up. The Marquis of
Cornyale IS one of the best known
the most famous, or infamous, which
| you please. men about town
He was a shining light when Heron
first made his entrance in the ia
shionable world, and ha1 bean TO the
fore many, many years before that:
in fact, the marquis's age is one Of
the standing topics of conversation.
rs Cornvae back?" he asks, with
! faint interest.
The duke mods, and glahcing at
Vane, who has moved out Of hearing,
lowers his voice.
Eyes. and looking younger than
ever, by George" he says. "They
We're saying las night that he was hit
hard by Miss Vavasour. saw him
dance four times with her Pom my
word, think its a case"
A slight frown crosses Heron's
brow He is not himself in love with
Rose, but-but he knows the Mar
NltAS VI wi AlNfNiCs
1T is your deal" he says, almost
sharply.
The play goes on until the wintry
sun forces it's way between the chinks
Of the heavy curtains, .Vgtil the world
awakes to life and activity, until even
Vane gets tired and sleepy.
Haven't you had enough, you fell
lows?" he asks, coming up to the
table
Heron looks up, his pale face calm
and impressive.
Quite" he says, inclining his
head.
And so have f." says the duke.
Wonderful bad luck yours is, Letch-
ford,'
Heron smiles indifferently
ut will change some day he says.
MEANWHILE" and he counts out rolls
of notes for all losses are paid on the
spot at the "Rookery."
A fCotman brings him his hat and
helps MIN on with his coat. and Vane
takes his arm.
"Yon must be awfully tired. old
man he says.
Heron shakes his head.
Il ought to be-" he says, "but | am
not--got forty winks in the carriage"
V"nc looks at him, and shakes his
mead,
Aren't you--look here. Heron, |
don't want to he Intrusive, you know
but aren't you going it a little too
strong. CHI"
Heron looks at him absently.
How 20 you mear?' he Gays.
What does II matter?"
We'll. I don't know" says Yane
seriously I; doesn't matter for
some of us. I'll admit; il doesn't, for
instance. much matter for poor
devil like m il haven't much TO lose
and when I've lost it, why there / am
where I was before. But you-.t,s a
different thing with you. sou know.
What's the tune tonight?"
Ny loss. DO you mean" says
Heron, stopping 10 light a cigar. Il
dent know: let me see-I can't tell
YOU"
Some hundreds" says Vane. grave
~. Il know you have plenty al the
back Of YOU; but is it worth while?"
Is anything worth while?' retOrts
Heron. with a hard laugh IF you
have. discovered a game that is worth
the candle, l wish to Heaven you'd