Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-10-17
The Earl's Heir
By CHARLES GARVICE

sign, LuSy CIOSSus " OpSh NJ hAOt~
on this mystery which we call Life.
Norah uttered one cry, and, as if
she had been waiting for it as sig |
nal, an old lady opened the door and
came gently to her side.
Come away, Miss Norah. Come
away, dear"
The girl kissed the white face and
stood looking down at it for a minute
through her binding tears, then al
lowed the old lady to lead her from
the room.
When the first shock of grief had
s,sAsid2d she became conscious of
the letter which she still held in her
hand. She got up and put on her hat
and walked down to the post Office ia
the village She might have sent it
but she had promised to post it and
she would obey the one and last re-
quest which had been made by tie
woman who, though a servant, had
been, as she said a mother to her.
A week later an old gentleman n
a frock coat and white hat climbed
the narrow path that led to the COT
tage and knocked at the little green
door.
He was very warm, for the month
was June and the sun blazing in the
most gallant fashion, and as he took
off his white hat and wiped his bald
forehead he pulled and gasped, oil
though he was by no means fat.
Mrs Jordan believe, maam." he
said to the Old lady who answered the
knock
Il am Mrs. Jordan, sir" she re-
Piled.
and this, of course, is Cliff Cot
tage" he said. raising his hat and 1x
ing his gold eyeglasses. my name
is Pethericl. Petherick, of Gray 5
Inn, maam. and wish to see Miss
Norah Frere"
walk in. if you please, sir" she
said. opening the door Of a neat little
parlor. Miss Frere is out at present,
but 1 am expecting her every mo-
ment.3
Mr. Petherick walked in and looked
round the small room with keen put
| not unk1dly glance 1t was the best
room in he cottage, and it was not
without a certain refinement Two
or three modern poets lay on the
table and some etchings of the best
masters hung on the walls. There
was something about the room that
was not only coy but tasteful, anu
with that indefinable tone which -
felt. though it cannot be described.
Miss Frere has gone for a walk on
the cliffs, - said Mrs. Jordan as Mr..
Petherick seated himself. 1T is so
much better for her to be out; in
deed. she almost lives in the op,n
air."
Very healthy. ma'am." said Mr.
Petherick, nodding approvingly.
Nothing like fresh air for young
people. and old ones, too. But. to
tell you the truth, am rather glat
that Miss Frere is out. for though [
have come TO see her am glad ot
an opportunity for a little talk with
you in her absence"
He coughed a little dry cough he,
hind h hand, and his keen eyes
scanned Mrs. Jordans face. 1t did
not need very strict scrutiny. for ir
was perfectly honest and genuine,
and, 5ut for its kindness of express
sion, commonplace.
Mr.. Petherick's gaze relaxed into a
persuasive smile.
Let me see, my dear lady" he
said. 4 think Miss Frere has lived
here vita you for some years?"
Yes. sir, said Mrs. Jordan
nearly sixteen. She was only four
years old when she came and she IS
now nearly twenty. Time passes
very quickly. sir"
yes, ma'am it does" assented
the lawyer Nearly sixteen years.
He looked round the room. Let ne
see-Ive a bad head for dates. ma am.
although / am lawyer-her mother.
Mrs. FreTe. died" he waited.
Little more than a twelvemonih
after they came to lodge here"
Yes, yes. he murmured. making 1.
rapid calculation; and since Der
mothers death the young lady has
been living in the charge. and under
the care. so to speak, Of her mothers
confidential seryant-housekeeper-
what shall we say?'
Mrs, Jordan inclined her head.
Mrs. Hayes; yes. sir. A most
admirable woman. Mr.. Petherick, and
-er-much above her class. She
was devoted to Miss Norah; think
she would have laid down her life tor
her at any mon emit Poor woman
Yes, yes. And she died week
ago?"
This day week, sir" assented Mrs
Jordan. 1T was terrible blow 10
dear Miss Norah-the first, for, ell
course, she was too young to feel her
mothers very acutely. A terrible
blow and Miss Norah has suffered a
great deal, though she hasn't made
much" She hesitated a moment
for better word than FUSS but
could not find It "She IS rot a young
lady who gives way to her feelings
oh indeed! Happy-cheersul
disposition. eh?'
oh, yes very sir, say she is
Ike a bird about the house and rs
the stopping of her singing and h,r