Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-02-21

surrounded by danger. Heaven guard
herl" he murmured.
Then he turned to the bookcases
loaded with their splendid treasures,
and looked at one and the other. then
his eyes wandered round the room
with a deep and curious interest.
In a very few minutes, Leola re-
entered. She had caught up a rustic
garden hat. tied with one broad deep
red ribbon, and quite shocking to re-
late, had not given a thought to any
gloves.
q am quite ready" she said,
brightly.
Anyone would have thought from
tie voice, that she was about to start
on pleasure trip instead of going to
view some tumble-down barns.
Then she glanced at the book which
he put in it's place and said artlessly,
as if she did not know:
Are you fond of reading?"
Very" he said, when l have time. ="
Well. she said, "as I am afraid
there are not many at the farm, I
hope you will come here for any you
want. 1t is a very fine library, Is 1t
not?"
Exceedingly" he said
Il am glad of that for your sake"
she said, meekly. You will come
when you like, Will you not?"
He hesitated a moment.
Shall | not be intruding?"
ON whom ?" said Leola, quietly.
We'll, will accept your gracious
offer" he said, with bow.
They passed out; he held the door
for her with the mien of knight o.
old, and followed her across the ter.
race to the park
DO you still admire the Abbey as
much as you did-the first time I saw
you?" asked Leola, glancing over her
shoulder at the noble pile, hesitating a
little ar the last words.
More than I did" he said. TT is
a place of "hich one grows fonder
with every succeeding day. It's pos.
SCISSOR should be happy" and he
looked at her with a curious light in
his eyes.
How do you know that l am not?'
demanded Leola, smiling at him with
a shy frankness.
Heaven forbid that you should be
otherwise" he said earnestly; 'but
wealth does not always bring content
ment."
NO" said Leola, softly. 4 wonder
whether I am contented? ought
to be, ought I not?" she added, see
ins that few short weeks ago I was
helpless and penniless."
He looked at her sympathetically.
Il have heard something of that"
he said, but did not think it was
true. You seemed to me so easy and
gracious in your power and wealth,
that I doubted the rumor."
Did do u" said Leola. laughing
with gentle wonder. How is that, 1
wonder? No; have been accus-
toned to poverty-yery deep and grim
poyerty-and this wealth is as new
and fresh to me as it could well be-"
And it has not spoiled you" he
said, almost to himself.
Don't be too sure of that" said
Leola, laughing. 1t has made me
very proud"
Proud" he said, quickly.
Proud of the Abbey and my ances-
tors. 1t is something to be a de-
scendant of the Lormes, is it not?"
da,e say it is" he said, quietly
1t is not our ancestors but ourselves
that have to stand inc test.
True hearts are more than corones,
And simple faith than Norman bIooG; ="
he said.
Z ike that" said Leola. her face
flushing with pleasure and surprise
Hcw grand his voice sounded quoting
the noble lines thought LeoIa. 4 like
thar How much you seem to know
Il am such an ignorant gtrlt"
One grows fond Of reading in the
solitude Of the bush" he said Z
know some of the books that were
shut up in the hut with me by heart
Leola was silent a moment.
Yours has been an eventful life, "
she said, has it not? I envy you"
Don't do that he said, quickly
Think you-you with all your power
and wealth, and plenty of friends are
enyying a man completely alone in
the world and friendless."
Leola opened her lips; she was go
ing to say that she would be his
friend; it was a generous impulse, but
she stopped in time, and blushed in
stead
To be continued