Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-04-18
CHAPTER Xviii .

prevented by the dam above, cyril
told Leola the history of the mill and
the castle. Leola listened eagerly.
"You seem quite up in the history
of Lorme. Cyril, said Lord Beaumont,
laughingly. Where did you get your
facts? That they are accurate I can
guarantee, for have head them
often"
Just SO, said Cyril quietly: 4
heard the story OF old Marsden."
"Ah, he is a protege of yours ism
he?" said Lord Beaumont That's
the old man with the ha ,dsome daugh-
ter" he added. innocentIy.
Yes; Polly is a good looking girl -
assented Cyril. quite as inditferently;
Bat I4eolas face suddenly crimsoned
.'lt is a pity" continued Cyril, quite
ignorant of the sudden flush though
Beaumont saw it and was filed with
wonCe- and perplexity. 1T is a
pity said Cyril that something
should not be done with the mill, It
is well built, and with a proper engine
or a proper stream would work as
well as any other. OF course it would
have to be repaired"
Lord Beaumont uttered an ex-
clamation Of alarm.
.-SacrilegioGs Goth" he cried;
would you dare 10 repair it and set
1t going2 cyril, beware. You would
be slaughtered by the crowd Of in
dignant artists who have come hither
10 paint it. It is pretty now. but fancy
it patched with new deal. and q hide
Gus blast of steam rising from it,
Leola laughed. and CyriTs grave
face relaxed.
You artists see nothing but beauty
in decay. Now, to me that mill is
eloquent Of failure I think that
could set il going. he added. musing-
"
why don't you ry2' SAID Leola.
quietly. as if he were the owner of it,
DO not give him permission, ,:ried
Lord Beaumont.
oh stop five minutes till have
made my sketch. for can see hv the
glance Of his eyes he means mischief
and when Cyril has resolved upon a
thing it is as good as done. For
heavens sake wait until have made
a sketch"
Aud with comic exaggeration he
caught up his charcoal and dashed at
the canvas.
Cyril smiled.
1T is not so easily done he said;
''the whole thing is wrong" and leap
ing into the dry channel, he walked
toward the wheel
There he goes, said Beaumont.
looking after him with a smile "If
you we're a man of the betting frater-
nifty, Miss Dale, I would wager that
he has that mill going in three months
from now"
Leola. looking also after the stall
wart figure as It moved about the
wheel, smiled.
Mr.. Kingsley is very resolute, she
said. and or4 might have farcied that
there was kind Of pride II her voice.
Not always" said Beaumont. DO
you remember how steadily he re
fused my friendship, and yet see how
we stand now. Miss Dale. think
you are fortunate in possessing snch a
Il had almost said friend"
Yes" said Leola, and her eyes
grew down asst: Il do not know what
the estate would do without him"
And IL, too. am fortunate, went
on Beaumont, for I have found two
friends. If / may presume to claim
you as one?" he said. with a sudden
eagerness in his voice.
Why not?" said Leola, still LOOKING
dreamily at the figure moving about
the wheel.
Lord Beaumont looked up az her.
and his heart beat fast. She
seemed so unconscious, so childHka
in her manner, that he scarcely darea
speak, lest his love within him should
force expression, and yet her beauty
fred his artist-soul and he could
scarcely remain silent.
If you knew how happy you
make me. he said, trying TO speak
calmly. Your friendship is very
precious 10 me, Miss Dale-Leola
but II | could only dare hope that
might win something from you still
more priceless-Leola, and he turned
and grasped her hand. Il must speak
! know fear-there, I am too pre-.
cipitate but who could stand near
you, hear you speak as | do. and
loving you as l do, remain silent?
Leola love you"
1t is question If Leoia heard him
at first, 50 rapt was her gaze upon
the mill. but suddenly the full mean.
ing Of his words broke upon ner. aud
she turned her startled eyes down
upon him. They quailed and shrank
almost with alarm, as they met his
pale, earnest face. and deeply eIo
quent gaze, and as she drew her hand
from his clasp, she pressed her own
on her brow with a sigh
what have I said?" exclaimed Lord
Beaumont. with distress. "Haye
angered you. Leola?"
mo" said Leola, very pale. and
speaking with difculty-'no, no.
angered me; but l am grieved."
'Grieved." be repeated, sadly:
"then-then you do not love me
Leola?"
He seemed to lay a stress on tho