Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-12

Its easy enough, remarked Becca;
Il could make that dress you have
got on"
Il think you could; you have made
your own so prettily But don't
want you to be always at needlework.
Are you fond of reading?"
Yes" replied Becca, nodding.
We'll, then, you could read to me
sometimes, or could read to You
Will YOU are working"
That would be nice And am l 10
live here, sleep here. at tho Court -
she asked suddenly, her eyes down
cast.
well, HAD hoped that you would,
but perhaps you cannot leave your
grandfather altogether"
mo, my lady; don't think could, -
she said
Very well" said Norah; you shall
arrange with your aunt as to how long
you shall stay"
I'D rather leave it to you; shes
hard to me-"
"oh, I don't think your aunt could
be unkind, Beca," she said at last;
"she seems SO fond of you"
She's hard. She wants to chain
me up" She stopped, as if she
had gone to far, and her black eyes
flashed
Perhaps she thinks you are little
giddy Becea, but I am sure she only
wishes to do the best for you But
there" she broke off, feeling that she
was getting "peachy," and that if she
continued she would make this wild
Young creature dislike her, 81 don't
want to deprive you of your liberty,
and you shall stay just as long as you
like"
Thank you'll she exclaimed; then
I'll come"
We'll, you are here now" sa.4 No
rah, with smile. land If YOU like.
you may stay Oh, but" she broke
off, as if she had suddenly remember,
ed, Il must ask the earl. You wait
here until come back. You can lock
at the book I was reading, if you like"
Becca took it. and Norah opened
the door
She found Harman waiting on ths
stairs.
We'll, my lady, will she do?" she
asked anXicusly.
"Oh, yes," said Norah. with a smile:
Il am sure we shall get on very well
tooafhar plaoco don,+ No. T. - l..
| have given her book to read, while
go down and ask the earl if she may
stay"
Becca turned over two or three
pages of Mrs. Browning and read a
line OF two; then she looked round the
ROOM with the book still in her hand.
Presently the girl got up and. steal
ing on tiptoe to the next room. opened
the wardrobe and looked at the dress
eS
They were so few as to be soon ex-
hausted and, still on tiptoe. as if she
feared some one might hear her, she
went to the dressing-table, parted and
arranged the coils of her black hair.
y
yet complacently, in the glass.
There were two or three knick-
knacks of Norah's lying on the table
a ring and small watch chain-and
Becca slipped the ring on her finger
and hooked the albert in her dress
and surveyed them in the glass.
Then her black eyes wandered
about for something else to examine
and try on.
A small box caught her attention,
and she took it up and tried to open
it.
It was either locked or shut with a
spring, but she managed to open it
with the aid of a hairpin There did
not appear to be much in it to reward
her curiosity, for it contained only a
lock of hair inclosed in a scrap of pa
per, on which was written, MY dear
mothers" 1t was fair, silken hair,
and Becca compared it with her own
raven locks with a smile of satisfac-
ton. In addition TO the lock of hair,
there was a Photograph carte-of
a woman's face. and Becca at once
concluded that it was a portrait of the
countess, Norah's mother, but, turning
it over she saw written on the back,
Dear Catherine"
She was looking at the portrait, and
wondering whose it was. when the
dressing bell rang, and she heard the
handle OF the door turn.
She had put the lock of hair in the
box, but there was no time to return
the photograph, and as she ran swiftly
into the next room and dropped onto
the ottoman, she slipped the portrait
into her pocket.
CHAPTER X.
Norah ran down stairs, leaving the
inquisitive Becca, to ask the earl If
she might take that young person into
her service. She knocked at the lib
rary door, but a footman informed her
that The earl was in the drawing-room,
and Norah, entering the room, found
him seated with a lady of rather more
than middle age, but still remarkably
pretty. She was dressed in exquisite
taste, and Norah, as she stood still,
was Instantly attracted towards her,
as the elder lady regarded her with
pleasant, welcoming kind of smile.
The earl rose and assumed his most
graceful attitude
"This IL my dauvhtar Nrorab Tad-