Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-10-31
The Earl'S Heir
By CHARLES GARVICE


Thanks, thanks. l think-I am
not sure-that this wine is losing its
color. Shall we have another bottle?'
mo, no! The wines all right,
said the squire blufily. Il must say
gree with Ferndale. Lady Norah is
most-most charming. Cad, she re
minds me of'-he looked round as ii
trying to find some comparison-"oi
a picture
Il thought you were going to say
tat she reminded you of one of the
family, 81 lire, and was curious to
hear whom you thought she resem-
bled." He looked round at some fam
lily portraits which hung round the
room. 81 must confess that see no
likeness to any of them"
For my part don't see one of them
begging yOul pardon, Arrowdale-
half so beautiful as your daughter, -
exclaimed Lord Ferndale.
Nor"
There isn't one with such beautifuI
hair" remarked the squire.
Nor such eyes" said the rector.
They are very lovely and so full OF
expression.
None of the Arrowdales have had
hair of that shade"
"A bronze gold" murmured the rec
tor.
Not one" repeated the earl slowly.
We are, generally speaking. a dark
race. No, she has not the Arrowdale
face
Perhaps Lady Moran takes after
her mother" said the rector.
The remark had slipped out una
wares, and as the remembrance Of the
separation flashed across him he red
dened to the roots of his hair.
But the earl turned to him with a
perfectly serene and placid smile,
though his thin, clean-cut lips were
slightly compressed.
"A very natural suggestion" he said
smoothly, "but Lady Norah is quite
unlike her mother"
Well" said Lord Ferndale. hastily,
at any rate, your family possesses a
new type, of which it should be proud,
Arrowdale."
You all make me very happy.
had feared" He stopped.
Lord Ferndale pushed his glass
away with a movement half impatient,
half indignant.
Cad" he said, Eve must all try
and make her happy. I'm sure she de-
serves to be. She must feel strange
and-lonely" He, zoo, stopped, feel
ing that he had gone far enough in re-
buking the earl for his coldness.
She'll make your life worth living,
ArrowdaIe," he wound up with.
MY lie has always seemed to me t"
be WORTH living, Ferndale."
did you go to the Swallow Farm to-
day, Guildford?" he asked. and thsre
was a peculiar tone in his voice.
Yes, sir, and saw Farmer Good
man. The roof is out of repair, as he
says but arranged that he should
pay one-third of the cost"
Thank you. It was very good of
you to take so much trouble and on
so hot day--very good; and 1t is an
excellent arrangement, far better than
l should have been able to make"
I'm glad you approve OF it, sir. Be
ing in the neighborhood, rode on to
Parkham about the timber He has
come to MY should say our-terms. /"
Say yours, for they were yours,
and very good ones. Thank you again.
viii you please help yourself and pass
the wine? No wine, Ferndale? Will
none of you take any wine? All. |
see you are longing for your cigars!"
Wen smoke on the terrace. 1t is
lovely night"
Very well. Mr.. Petherick, who.
like myself, alas! has not acquired the
art of smoking, will take another glass
with me while you are gone" He
rose and courteously opened the
French windows for them, saying:
~Guilford, you know where to find the
cigars"
Then he gently pushed the doors too
ana returning to the table reseated
himself and reflling his glass held It
in his white, delicate hand and looked
at the old lawyer with keen scru-
tiny.
You are waiting for me to say that
am surprised. Mr.. Petherick.' said
the earl, with half sarcastic smile.
Il am sure you are not disappointed.
my lord"
Yes" said the earl thoughtfully
Il am surprised had expected"
He stopped. you found her living In
a cottage? with no companions but
the woman of the house? Where did
she get that manner and toner" He
asked this question rather of himself
than Of the lawyer.
Allow me to remind you that she
is your daughter. the daughter OF =
hundred earls,' as the poet says"
She is not like ME in the very
least. Is she-educated? he asked,
almost abruptly for him.
That is evident, my lord. ! should
say that Lady Norah was not only edu-
Gated, but accomplished"
May ask how you konw?" was the
courteous retort
Well. saw a copy OF Bror ling on