Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-03-28
Continued

while / am at work. and very charm
ingly
Il don't sing" repeated Cieely, still
looking at him.
"Taen entreat Miss Dale 10 do so, ="
said Lord Beaumont
But Cicely looked coldly at Leola
and in silence.
There used to be a mushroom
here" said the bishop, looking round
1t is the adjoining room--through
those curtains said Lord Bean
mont Come, Miss Dale" and he
offered his arm.
Leola would still have declined. but
she found that refusal would occasion
that state of things-a fuss, which she
heartily detested. and quietly put her
hand on his arm Lord Beaumont's
face lit up with a smile of triumph
and he glanced at the bishop sig,
nifcantly.
The mushroom was lit up, and the
piano was open. Lord Beaumont
led her to it and lifted a pile of
music but Leola. shook her head 1t
was "a heap of operate music, and if
she must sing, she decided to sing
some short unassuming ballad
She played chord or two-Lord
Beaumont looked into the other room
impatently. for the stream of talk
penetrated to the music-room-and
then she began a simple Normandy
ballad that she had learned in France.
Before the first verse had con
ciuded the talking had almost ceased.
and the other room was partially de
serted, a small crowd collecting round
the piano.
Leola was quite unconscious: like
most true musicians she forgot every
thing when she was singing but her
song, and she was quite surprised
you remember she was as little vain
of her voice as her beauy-to find 50
large an audience
THERE" said Lord Beaumont. in
low voice, turning to the bishop. who
had stood with his head bent and his
white hands folded behind him
Very beautiful said the bishop.
earnestly.
"You must hear Miss Dale at the
organ, my lord, said Lord Beaumont,
enthusiastically.
Not now. indeed, pleaded Leola,
lOoking round for the first time, EN-
barrassed and distressed at the notice
she attracted Lady Vaux," she add
ed, quickly, will you be 50 kind as
to sing for us?'
LAZY Vaux hestated
1T is a bold thing to do after you,
my dear Leola, she said. with
smile.
Leoa shook her head
Lord Beaumont insisted she said,
quietly or should not have sung.
Il am not ashamed, said Lord
Beaumont boldly.
Lady Vaux sat down and played
She was an accomplished pianist, and
the instrument seemed to speak under
her skillful fingers. II was bril-
liant performance but somehow the
crowd 1esAened. While she was play
ing Philip Dyce came into the room,
and stood beside Leola Leola knew
he was there before she saw him. and
the strange sensation which always
occurred TO her when he was near
took possession Of her.
Il don't know. Miss Dale. he said.
in his low, soft voice, If YOU have
projected a voyage of discovery
among the piies of music in the room.
bEt there are some admirable Breton
ballads in one Of those cases. / ar
ranged them"-he paused but for,
get exactly whore they are"
He moved to the bookcase. and
Leola followed him, partly in courtesy,
partly in consequence Of the strange
influence which he exerted.
Here they are" ne said taking
down volume, and turning over the
leaves, All. little dreamed when !
made this selection that should be
rendering a service--a very humble
and insignificant service to you.
Il am very grateful said Leola.
Not to me-" he said quickly Lady
yaux had gone, and the room was
empty THAT is word that can
never be used by you 70 me. Miss
Dale 1t is who am grateful to
you"
Why" said I.eola, emembering
the communication which Lady Howth
had made From all hear. YOU
have little cause.
"Ah" he said. bending lower. and
letting his voice sink to whisper.
You do not you cannot think me so
base as to regret the course of
events, Miss Dale-Leola' ueola
WINGED and paled as he spoke her
Christian nameJ if you knew how
exquisite a pleasure it is to me to see
you here, in your own home. in the
home that is yours By right of birth
you would forget that / am credited
with being your rival"
But for me, she said. moved by n
sudden impulse the Abbey would
have been yours Mr. Dyce
YES, but | should have lost the
greatest JOY Of my ltfe-a Joy that is
almost terrible in it's intensity
should probably never have seen
you"
Leola turned pale, and shrank from
the light that cleaned in his usually
cold, calm ewes