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

father knows"
All the world knows Lady Fern
dale's goodness of heart
1t is never safe to give your father
an opportunity of paying a compli-
ment, my dear, but meanswhat 1
said"
And always, with charming SINGER
ity, say what you mean, dear lady, >
observed the earl, with another bow.
Yes, that's the worst of mel Fern
dale often says that my excessive can
dor will be my ruin, and that he is
continually getting me out of scrapes
into which my plain speaking has hur-
ried me-
She held Norah's hand while she
was talking, and looked at her now
and agen with the deepest interest
and admiration
We must tell each other all about
ourselves. dear" said she. Suppose
We begin at once?"
But we can't, while the earl sits
there listening, can wee"
Il take my dismissal
NO, don't go; I've thought OF an
other way as the cookery books say;
l wonder whether you would care to
come back with me to dinner. VIII
you, Lord AlTowIale?'
The ,arl conveyed a courteous mega
tive ~ a wave of bis hand.
Il am sure you do not want me, he
il But if you will confine your ia
V. tation to Norah--'
That's just what want" remarked
Lady FerndaIe, with her refreshing
candor. Il want to have her all 70
myself VIII you come, my dear?
My ponies are at the door, and we
will neither of us Dress she glanced
at Norah's dress approyingly, and, in
deed, don't think you have anything
prettier than that frock!"
Il shall be very glad to come, Lady
Ferndale"
Then run away and put on your
hat, and we'll start at once" said
Lady Ferndale. Then, as Norah left
the room, she turned to the earl with
an exclamation of surprise and admira-
ton. Gracious, what a beautiful
girl, | don't wonder at Ferndale's
raptures! What a happy man you
must be to have such a sweet creature
for a daughteri"
Il am gratified by your approval of
her, Lady Ferndale."
APPROVAL" she exclaimed; that
isn't the word I'm in love with her
at first sight Why, she will be ire
mendous success and set the county
agape, How you can possibly have
neg-have kept her from you so long,
l can't think"
The earls face grew momentarlly
hard and cold. and Lady Ferndale
FASTENED to add:
However, wherever she has been.
she has been we'll trained and cared
for. That little air of repose and dig
nifty she has is simply fascinating. l
suppose she gets her manner from
you?"
The earl smiled, and waved the com
pliment aside gracefully.
/ have not yet had time to criti-
else her. he said, but l an delighted
that you should see anything to ad-
mire in her. For my part, l thought
her" he paused a moment. "un-
like any member of my family"
Lady Ferndale reflected for a mo-
ment. her head on one side: then she
responded with startling candor:
Yes, so she is, quite unlike, when I
come to think of it; she is so much
more beautiful than any of the Arrow
dales.''
Thank you for us and for her." he
said.
well, that hair of hers. and her
eyes are simply wonderful, and I'm
sure you have nothing in the picture
gallery to equal them"
"You are quite right, he assented.
coldly; I'VE have not"
Very well. them" she exclaimed,
triumphantly
As she spoke, Norah re-entered the
room, and Lady Ferndale rose with
the alacrity of young woman.
Come along, my dear" she said
You have just come in time to pre-
vent your father and me from quarrel
ing. Never mind what it was about.
We generally manage to quarrel over
Imething, don't we, Lord Arrowdale ?"
The earl smiled as if the idea were
too absurd
ITO quarrel with Lady Ferndale
one must be an utter barbarian" he
responded, readily.
Lady Ferndale drew Norah's arm
within hers, and tGey went into the
hall. A carriage of an old fashioned
and a remarkably comfortable appear
ance, stood at the step, and the sight
of it seemed to remind Lady Ferndale
of Norah's return
IN send her back ia a closed car
riage," she said. by the way, MY
child l think you ought to have some
thing warmer on the nights are
chilly
Hartman who was standing at little
distance waiting to attend the ladies'
to the carriage, turned and spoke
quietly to some one on the sta.ls
above her, and presently Becca came
down with a soft Highland shawl
THE very thing" said Lady ern-