Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-19

laughIngly declared, maid came for
ward in her bonnet and cloak.
I'm send her with you, DEAR" said
Lady Ferndale. but Norah showed
that she could be as obstinate as Lord
Ferndale, and point-blank refused the
escort
why, what could happen to me in
a close carriage between here and the
Court, dear Lady Ferndale?" she said.
please don't send her! / shall not
like to come agan if give you so
much trouble! You wouldn't send
her if if were your daughter" she
added shyly.
''Norahs right" exclaimed Lady
Ferndale But, mind, we take you
at your word, and you are just TO
come to us as if you were our daugh-
ter. That's bargain, my child"
I'm witness to it." said Lord Fern
dale.
They both went to the carriage ard
Lady Ferndale seemed, as she held
her in her. arms and Kissed her, as if
she could scarcely bring herself to
part with her, and the last Norah saw
Of them they were standing arm-in-
arm on the steps waving their hands
at her.
Norah looked out at the night-the
moon was rising, a great yellow ORD.
above the hilltops--her whole being
thrilling like some sensitive musical
instrument, her heart melting under
the influence of the lovable couple she
had left For time she leaned back
in the luxurious carriage and recalled
their kindness to her and forgot all
else; but suddenly, almost With a
shock, she found that her thoughts
had strayed and that they wandered
to some one else, and she found her
self thinking OF Cyril Burne!
It seemed ungrateful to bestow a
single thought upon any one but these
two, and she tried to drive him from
her mind, but locking out of 40 win
dow she saw that they were ascend
ing the hill on the other side OF which
Lady Ferndale had stopped to
speak TO him. and back he came
sgain.
Would he accept Lady Ferndale's
invitation and leave Santleigh? How
quickly Lady Ferndale had taken to
him? Yes, ne was a gentleman,
though he might only be an artist,
poor and unknown. If he left SAINT
leigh she would, perhaps, never see
him again. The thought seemed to
drive all the happiness out of her
heart, and she leaned back and drew
the shawl round her as If the night
had suddenly become cold.
The carriage had reached the top of
the hill and was going down on the
other side, ana she bent forward to
look at the gate upon which Cyril
Burne had been sitting, when she saw
something white fit from tree and
cross the road. 1t was an owl and
its screech startled her a little.
1t seemed to have startled the hors-
es a great deal, for she felt the car
riage swerve, come to a standstin for
a second, then rush forward so sharp
| ly as to jerk her on to the front seat.
With a smile she picked herself up,
| but the smile vanished and a vague
alarm fell upon her as she saw the
hedges and trees flying past the win
dow at racing pace
Has any one ever yet been able 70
describe all the phases by which an
accident progresses to the final ca.
| tastrophe?
Norah knew and realized nothing
more until she experienced a jar, as
! il the wheels had caught upon some
/ thing, and felt the carriage sway and
| fall ger; but as she fell with 1t she
was conscious of hearing. amid the
/ stamping and snorting of the fright
I ened horses and the voice of tpe
coachman. the sound Of another voice
I II she tainted, it must have been
only for a moment or so, for without
any appreciate interval she saw the
uppermost door of the overturned
carriage wrenched open and felt a
mans strong arm round her
The next moment she was In the
! read, the arms still encireIing her
and. looking up, she met Cyril BurEe's
eyes looking into hers with alarm and
, anxiety-and something else tina;
even in that moment brought the
blood mantling to her cheek.
"Are-are you hurt?"
Mono, think mott"
Are you sure? All, you can't tell"
he exclaimed.
I'm not hurt, I'm sure"
Don't novel" he implored her
please, please don't move," And
his strong arm wound round her, and
seemed unconsciously to lift her of
her feet so completely did 1t sup
port her.
Il don't think have broken any
thing" she said, her color coming
and going. NO, | am sure I have
not! Oh. please, don't mind me: the
poor horsesl"
Never mind the horses!" he said
| almost curtly. "Hold on tn nv arm