Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-11-28

Continued.

raising his eyeglass and examining
the sketch with the appropriate air Of
critical attention. But as he saw the
figure of Norah he turned his glasses
upon the artist, and then upon Norah
with yelled sharpness.
els this the first time you have act
ed as a model Norahf'
Eyes" she replied, and / did 1t I'M
consciously now. Mr.. BuTne was
painting the dog"
"And presumed to add another fig
ure," said Cyril quickly, and, with
your daughters permission, retained
1t on the canvas; but If you have the
least objection, my lord" He took
up the brush as he had done before.
mo, no." said the earl, evidently
Modified by such prompt difference;
pray let It stand Lady Norah Is the
best Judge Of the-er-convenance
he said this as if he meant to imply
that she was the vsTy worst" and II
she does not object" He shrugged
his shoulders slightly, as If the mat
ter were really too trivial for elabora-
ton. "Fermit me to repeat my re-
quest that you viii use any part OF
Santleigh you please for your sketch
book, Mr.. Burne, and to wish you
goodbye. Come Norah," and ne
raised his hat with stately grace.
Norah bestowed bow and smile
upon Cyril, who bent -eSpectfully,
and the earl and Norah walked away.
For some minutes the earl was 81
lent; then in hte softest and suayest
Of voices, he said:
Had you ever met that young man
before, Norah? Pray pardon my Gu
riosity, and If it is unwelcome to you,
do not crafty it,
why should not tell you. papa?''
she said. Oh, no, never saw him
before this morning; and" she smiled.
81 should not have seen him then II
had not overheard him and Mr.. Der.
ton-talking," she said, instead OF
"Iuarrellng''
"Oh! G1ilford Berton and he met
this morning. Does he-Guilford,
mean-know him?'
Evidently not" said Norah, for
Mr.. Berton was warning him OF as a
trespasser, when"
You interposed and gave him per-
mission to remain" put in the earl,
dryly; and to recompense him per
mitted hiIn to insert you in his
sketch?"
You forget, papa that I did not
know he was painting me. He was
taking Caspers portrait"
"Ah, we'll! Your friend is evidently
a gentleman"
My friend, papa!" and she laughed.
AT any rate you were very friend
ly.
Why should not be? Mr.. Bert "a
had been so rude that I wanted IN
make 1t up to him. to show him that
it was not your wish that he should be
treated rs he had been"
Il comprehend, but pardon me If
venture to remark that you must have
misapprehended Guilford Berton. He
is incapable Of rudeness."
Could it be possible that the "a. ),
who seemed so keen and inAsive an
observer should be deceived by Gull
ford Berton?
"Guilford is young man OF great
frmness and tenacity of purpose and
he is a model of courtesy and foiGear-
ance. | fear that the young stranger
must have been the person guilty of
inciuHty"
a swift denial rose to Norahs lips,
but she suppressed it.
Indeed" he resumed. the young
man appears to me 10 have any guam
tity of-we viii call it confidence.
Doubtless he will paint a finished pic
ture from MS little sketch. and it will
be represented ia next year Academy
as portrait of Lady Norah Arrow
dale. Perhaps that would not alto
gether displeae9 you, however.
Il am sure he will do nothing of the
kind" she said, quietly and confident
ly. You said, papa, that he was a
gentleman
"A gentleman leavened by the artist.
Du@ " 2 SeiU easily set the matter ~
rest. Guilford Berton shall make in
quiries about him, and If he finds his
credentials satisfactory, I will, If you
like, call upon him and ask him to
dinner"
Il am quite Indifferent, papa, and
perhaps he would not come"
1T is possible. but not prol2ble.
We will see Guilford shall make in.
quiries about him. One should encour-
age art"
Norah made no response, and in ST.
lence they reached the house.
AS they were ascending the steps.
a young girl In a pink dress came
from a small doorway below the ter.
race, and moved Slowly toward the
shrubbery
She was a slim and graceful girl, q
brunette, with hair and eyes almost
black in hue. and Norah stopped aud
looked after her.
What a pretty girl, papal" she ex-
claimed, with the prompt admiration
of one handsome woman for another.
The earl turned and adjusted MS
eyeglasses.
Indeed I did not notice. An,
yes, see, Was she handsome? One