Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-10-31


Petherick.
A flush of anger rose to the earPs
face and he pushed the wine glass
from him.
call him the viscount, if you
please" rhe said q dislike being re-
minded of our relationship. You saw
, him?"
NO, my lord; he declined an inter
view"
Characteristic insolence," he said
smoothly. "Wen?"
Il wrote him at some length, setting
forth your lord1 hips views. l ex-
planned to him that if he would con-
sent to cut off the entail you would
meet his views in the matter of money
that, in fact, you would be wiling to
pay him large sum-"
YES" murmured the earl, Il would
be willing to pay him a large, very
large sum if he would give up his
right to the estate, which must other
wise be his when-when die. You
made it plain to him? He must want
money He is a spendthrift, has al
would be willing to sacrifice a for
tune!"
81 made that clear to him. think,
my lord"
"Well?"
81 am sorry to say that he declined
your lordship's proposal"
The earPs thin lips came together
sharply, as if they had checked an
oath.
"'Oh, he declined" he said dryly.
Eyes, my lord. He remarked in his
letter that he would rather stary9
than barter his birthright"
His birthright The prcflgate!
He counts upon my dying shortly, I
presumed"
IL think profligate rather too
harsh a term, my lord. The viscount
has been wild, it Is trues and-and
yes. extravagant; but of late he seems
to have hanged-reformed, as one
may say"
Indeed! And how is he living?
ask from mere idle curiosity"
Il don't know, my lord made in
quiries, but I could not find out. In
deed, no one seems to know anything
of his recent movements, excepting
that he is not moving in the circles
which he used to frequent"
In hiding from the Jews and money
lenders. We viii give him little
more rope, Petherick."
II venture to think that the Wis
counts decision is final, my lord.
have his letter here" he drew out his
pocketbook, but the earl put forth
his hand with a shake of the head
Thanks, but pardon me, would
rather not see it. have never seen
the writer and have no desire to make
acquaintance even with his handwrit-
ing"
TIT is a pity, my lord. pity that
there should be- ahem--bad blood
between your lordship and the Wis
count, especially as he viii inherit,
must inherit, t'ds vast estate
You forget that might marry
again"
You are right. l should not marry,
even TO spite my the viscount. But
we are all mortal" he went on, In the
softest of voices, and, after all, he
might die before me"
HE might, but"
1T is not likely! Really, your can
dor is charming, Petherick! Oh. pray
don't apologize as the old lawyer
grew red and stammering. Let us
finish our wine in peace"
Meanwhile. the gentlemen strolled
up and down the terrace with their
cigars. talking together, and as they
passed the window of the drawing
room in which Norah was sitting, ard
in which the lights were lit, they low
cred their voices
Poor girl" said Lord Ferndale
My heart aches for her! Great
Heaven. fancy her position tonight
To be welcomed b va father whom
she had never seen in such a cold
blooded fashion! Old friend as he IS,
had hard work to keep from fying
into rage with hint"
Such lovely young creature!" said
the rector. Zone wouldn't have been
surprised if he had caught her in his
arms and burst into tears. They
were very near my own eyes l know"
Il can't fancy the earl doing that"
the squire remarked. Il often think
that he was born without a heart.
Why, 1t isn't only with his wife that
he quarreled. There isn't soul be-
longing to him that he hasn't parted
from. Look at the young viscount.
Having Quarreled with his father. the
earl has actually never seen the
young man. Never seen the heir to
the title and the estates, by George!"
And such estates!" murmured the
rector.
"Ah, and there's something more
than the estates" remarked the squire.
he earl can't have been living up to
nalf-ah, quarter-of hi income,
and must be rolling in money!"
That will all go to Lady Norah!"
said Lord Ferndale.
Yes, and she'll be the richest heir
ess in the county or Whereabouts" as
scented the squire. Poor girl, what
change II fe for hnrf"