Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-04

is there no letter from him.
asked Lord Beaumont, almost in
credulously 4
"There-is-no letter" answered
Leola, ler voice sounding strangely
hollow.
Philip Dyce shrugged his shoulders
Lord Beaumont in his excitement
actually leaned forward and turned
over the envelopes. then remember
ing himself, begged Leola's pardon.
There is no letter." said Mrs.
Wetherell: but perhaps Mr.. Kingsley
is already back. The same train
that carried these letters may have
brought him"
Just SOL" exclaimed Lord Beau
mont; land no doubt he is at the
farL- If you will excuse me, Miss
Dale, I win walk down and see"
As he rose from the table the door
opened, and the butler entered with
an uncertain air.
It's old Marsden, ma'am, wishes 10
see Miss Dale"
Il will see him in the library. said
Mrs. Wetherel.
NO" said Leola, "let him come in
here"
The butler went out and presently
ushered in a bent, white-haired old
man.
DO you wish to see Miss Dale?''
asked Mrs. Wetherell.
l want to see the young mistress,
ma'am, said old Marsden, bobbing his
head to Leola.
THAT is Miss Dale" said Mrs.
Wetherell
Begin your pardon for intrudin,
mistress" said the old man, turning
to Leola, but I've heered as you've a
kind heart, and when this trouble fell
upon me l thought had best come to
you as l pays my rent to. I'd a come
to Sir Godfrey if he'd a been alive,
hard as he was"
"WeH?' said Mrs. Wetherell.
We'll MAJ am" said the old Mars
den, perhaps you've heard that my
dawter Polly have been and left
her home?"
We've have heard something OF
lit, said Mrs. Wetherell.
Well, ma'am, that bean't surpris
ing, as all the village is ringing
wi It, And it be uncommon hard on
me, as is lived here, man and boy,
for close on seventy year. And the
girl, though she were a bit vain and
wild, were a honest girl till this
young villain come among us"
What young villain, Marsden?" in
patiently
Why. my lord, do mean this Cyril
Kingsley
Cyril Kingsley" exclaimed Lord
Beaumont, springing to his feet
Cyril Kingsley" echoed the old
man, freely. Il did think as he was
too much the gentleman to work me
or mine harm, but | were wrong, For
look here, you my lord, to the letter
as my poor foolish girl have sent me.
Letter! Let me see it," said
Lord Beaumont, stretching out his
hand.
Philip Dyce as the first to speak.
Is it as l feared, Beaumont" he
said.
Then, to the surprise of all, Leola
looked up and spoke.
let me see the letter, Lord Beau
mont, she said.
Lord Beaumont hesitated.
Read it," said Philip Dyce
The letter, most yilely spelt and
written. ran thus:
My dear Father,-Before you re
ceive this | shall be many miles
away in London. l hope you won't
fret about me, as I am quite happy.
and Mr.. Kingsley who l have gone
away with, is very kind, and has
promised to marry me. can't send
my address because he doesn't want
anyone to know where We are living,
but l will do so as soon as we are
married Hoping you will forgive me.
Il am, dear father,
your affectionate daughter,
Polly Marsden.'
When did this reach you?" he
asked, in a low voice
This morning, Mr.. Philip, and
ca ae up here to ., the young mis-
tress what was to be done, seeing as
this young villain was her right
hand man, so to speak"
You must not trouble Miss Dale
now said Philip Dyce, softly, 'she
is very much distressed about this af-
fair, and she viii help you if she
can but you must go now, Marsden.
Go up to the FRS and see Lady
Vaux"
Very well, Mr.. Philip" muttered
the old man; want is justice, that's
all l wants It's my only dawter
Go up to the FRS, Marsden."
murmured Philip; and the old man.
touching his forehead respectfully,
Withdrew.
Lord Beaumont raised his head
What is to be done?" he asked, in
a hoarse voice
Then Leola rose and stood con
fronting them, her dark eyes shining
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