Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-06-27


ola, her face burning. 1t was some
comfort to be able to defend him
why should he not go into the cot
/ tage? He knows all the people, and
goes everywhere; and this girl tthe
words sounded rather bitterly) went
to the farm for butter and eggs.
But so late in the evening as she
/ has been seen there" said Mrs. Weth
efeIi.
/ Leola arose--they were just going
into the drawing room-and she looked
superb in her beauty and Indignation.
her pure. oval face in its paleness,
I set off by the dark ruby velvet dress
and soft creamy lace.
You are using Lady Vaux's argu-
ments." she said, almost fiercely.
Mrs Wetherell looked up eagerly,
and something like tear shone in her
eyes.
/ Only for the pleasre OF hearing you
J confute them, Leola, dear. Indeed. 1
can't believe. and l don't want to be
ieve this thing Of him. He is too
gendemanly-to noble 10 be guilty
OF it."
Much too noble" said Leola
proudly
They went into the drawingroom.
L.eoIa crossed over 10 the fire, and
held out her hands with little SILVER
She was hot and cold by turns; "a
servant entered softly. and laid some
thing on the table.
I 1t was the post-bag.
Mrs. Wetherell looked up eagerly.
but Lcola did not move, though her
heart beat furiously, and her face
burned
There is the post-bag, dear sug-
8ested Mrs Wetherell meekly
/ Leola glanced round carelessly, and
walked not TO the table, but to the
piano She dared not open the bag,
though her fingers itched.
She played a sonata of Schubert's
through from first note to last, care
fully and slowly. then she came across
the room and took up the bag.
Her back was turned to Mrs. Weth-
ereIl. who was pouring out the tea,
aut could not see the deadly pallor
which overspread Leola's face. as she
turned over the three or four letters
the bag contained.
| 1t was a fearful blow. and for the
moment Lsola was stricken low, her
Hips quivered. her eyes closed. and
/ she pressed her hand against her
heart.
Mrs WethereIl looked round
"Is-is there any letter from him
deaF2" she asked. anxiously.
Leola mojstened her lips.
There is no letter from Cyril
Kingsley. if Won mean him" she an
swered and Mrs Wetherell looked
lup aghast at the hollow constrained
voice which replied 10 her
No Ietter-not word. liner she
said How strange, He ought to
have written Leola, indeed he
ought"
Leola did not speak She laid he
letters upon the table and came to the
fire. and her face was as cold and
hard as statues
There was d minute or two of ST
ience, then Mrs Wetherell looked up
with sudden hope
After all, it is scarcely SO strange,
dear Men are not fond Of writing
and he hadn't anything to write
about perhaps We have made so
much Of him that We think it unac-
countable that he should 20 off so sud
denly without word. but he was
free TO do so was he not? He was
not compelled 10 give us any reason,
or let us know. Surely a young
man in his position may run mp 10
London without asking permission or
making a fuss. and Cyril Kingsley is
the sort of man 10 hate a fuss. After
all. dear, why should he write?"
Leola inclined her head as if In
consent but she knew why he should
have written She who had rested
in his arms. whose lips still burned
with his kisses: She TO whom he had
promied To come that morning She
knew why he ought TO have written.
Things looked black. very black.
Mrs Wethereu was too anxious and
troubled to take her usual nap. She
sat and WORKED. and stared at the
fire. signing as recalled the hand
some face ana knightly manners OF
the young man TO whom She had be
come so much attached, and who, she
began 70 fear had been SO uugrateful
a.g.s ~