Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-05

Guilford Berton must be to live Under
such conditions.
He was evidently Of melancholy
disposition. was subject to fits and
lived in a sunless house surrounded
by high wall, and quite alone except
ing for an old woman who was deaf
and dumbt
Yes" said Guilford Berton care
lessly. she isn't quite deaf, however
though she's as dumb as this table,
and he struck it; but l thought il
easier to teach her the deaf and dumb
language than to be continuously yell
ing at her l dislike all noises"
Much more convenient" said Cyril
"but-Tm afraid you'll think me rather
impertinent-I'm surprised at your
choosing such person for your house
keeper"
THE best kind of servants to have,
Gmlford Berton responded; they
can't din the life out of you with their
tongues and they don't carry tales
Besides, a younger woman would be
always gadding about and give me nc
end of trouble looking after her. HelI
yourself. will you and try these cigars
They-and the liquor-are good" he
added, with the shadow of smile
for they come from the Court The
earl is good enough to keep me sup
piled"
He raised his eyes and glanced at
his guest to see what effect, II any
his words would produce, but Cyril
merely nodded as he said:
Yes, it's capital cigar. and am
sure the whisky is all right
Il suppose you are rather surprised
that the Earl of Arrowdale should ce
so intimate with SO humble a person
as myself" said Guilford Berton, lean
ing back in his chair, but not looking
One-half So much at his ease as mis-
visitor, who, though in the most com
Portable attitude, had that peculiarly
graceful air which is born with some
men.
Il don't know why l should" re
sponded Cyril, wondering whether his
strange host was going to be conf
Dental.
You don't know, l suppose, that
am the son of the earl's late steward?'
went on Guilford Berton, his eyes
fixed on the ground.
NO" said Cyril, 81 did not know
it."
I am, which makes it all the more
extraordinary that the ear should
acknowledge me as his friend. 1t is
very condescending, don't you Think
1t was a question which 1t was only
possible to answer in one way.
Not at ALL" Cyril replied.
You don't? l fancy most people
do, an they let me see that they do
His pale face grew dusky red for a
moment. But it is easily explained
| have been Of some service to the
earl, Mr. Burne, and as | have al
ways refused TO accept any remunera'
ton he has paid me in another
fashion"
Il understand said Cyril. still won.
dering why Mr.. Guilford Berton, who
had looked ready to eat him in the
morning, should be so communicative
in the evening.
Had you ever seen the earl before
this morning." asked Berton care
lessly.
NO" replied Cyril
You were very much struck with
him, suppose?'
Il thought him extremely courteous
and-well, highly polished
A smile, cynical and not altogether
pleasant, curled Guilford Berton's lips
Eyes, he is admirably veneered
Don't they say that IL you scratch the
Russian you find the Tartar under.
neathT
well, that applies to the earl. He
is smooth enough until you scratch
him, then - lie paused and shrug
ged his shoulders. did you ever
hear of his nephew" he asked, sud
denly raising his eyes and looking q;
Cyril.
who is he?" asked Cyril.
"The Viscount Santleigh."
ooh, yes, I've heard of him." replied
Cyril
What sort of a man is he?" asked
Guilford Berton.
"Pon my word, I'm scarcely capable
of describing him." said Cyril. eve
unknown artists don't have very close
acquaintanceship with visccunts, but
from what have heard should say
that he is considered something of a
fool by most people"
II understand. Do you know where
he is now?" asked Guilford Berton.
when he was last heard of he was
going abroad, believe"
HE must be Iool," remarked Gull.
ford Berton.
why do you say that?" asked Cyril
rather languidly, as If the subject did
not particularly interest him.
Because though he is a poor man
he has refused large sum of money"
said Bertop. HE has run through
what properly he held in his own
right, and though the earl offered him
large sum to cut off the entail, and
so enable the earl to leave the estate
to whom he pleased, Lord Santleigh re
fused it."