Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-08-15


If Cyril Kingsley is innocent then
have we all been deceived and misled
You know as much IF the matter as
I do. Why-why should this affect you
So. Leola? You are my affanced
wife"
Il was" she murmdred, with bitter
self-scorn.
And can have no reason TO be 50
affected by Cyril Kingsley's guilt Or
innocence.
can l not?" she blazed forth
can ! not?"
No" he said. What is Cyril
Kingsley, your servant, 10 you? If
he has been in any way wronged, let
him have redress. Reinstate him,
conf ensate him; but do not revenge
his wrongs on me who love you bet
ter than life itself"
LeoIa's lips curled in scorn, and
the sheer maddened him
"One would think" he said, pas
| sionately, that you had tender in
! terest in the fellows welfare
Il haye?" she said, all the love Of
a passionate woman overcoming the
tinid reserve of a girl have, for
| love him.
Philip Dyce started forward, and
looked for the moment as ii he could
kill her where she stood. then he
folded his arms, and bitter sheer
played on his white lips.
You love him?' he said, hOarsely
You love this Cyril Kingsley, your
seryant-this clod?"
king beside you bi-zed Leola,
confronting him
You are my aftanced wifel" he
breathed.
NO" she cried. Il am his"
so be it, he said burning with
mingled rage and scorn Il cannot
be 100 grateful to you, Miss Dale. for
telling me this in time. I shall not
staLG in the way Of Cyril Kingsley;
trust Miss Marsden will be as con
siderate, Is it possible" and he
laughed with suppressed fury, that
yoL are serious, or is mis- some elab-
orately planned jest?'
Then his whole manner changed,
and he bent toward her lmploriug
~.
Leola think-think, I beseeeh
you, will let these wild words go
unheeded, if you will but consider
their import and withdraw them You
tell NE that you-you, the foremost
woman in the county. the mistress Of
Lorme are betrothed to one Of your
| servants? A man who is believed
by all to have run away with another
woman? l pray of you to consider
| what Ii use wild words dignity
Spare your entreaties, sir." said
Leola. with the calm Of suppressed
emotion; I a.h not ashamed Of my
love nor its object am ashamed
only Of my own credulity and the con
sequences il has produced.
Then" he said with deadly cont
posture, Il am to understand that il
is / who am dismissed-tha you re-
call the promise you gave me-ttat.
in a word, you will break your troth
and-jtlt me for man who
Leola broke in
Philip Dyce would not be your
wife though Cyril Kingsley were ten
times as false as you have represent
ed him.
And that is your answer" he
said
Leola inclined her head.
so be it." said Philip Dyce; Il
accept it,
He stood for moment as If fore
ing his composure.
Yes" he said slowly, Il accept it,"
He stood for a moment as if fore
ing his composure.
Yes he said slowly, q accept it.
IT, and he looked at her with
malignant smile. IF such wrong as
you have done me could ever be
avenged, the future life which awaits
you would avenge ii. But it is beyond
yequital or redress"
He took up his hat and turned to-
wards the door; but, before he could
reach it, it was opened, and Mr. Ford
entered.
Miss Dale, Miss Dale," he said,
are You here" The room was now
so dark that he could not distinguish
her for the moment
Miss Dale is here Mr.. Ford, said
Philip Dyce, coldly.
"Eh-is that YOU. Mr.. Dyce?" said
Mr.. Ford; and as he spoke. he put his
hand behind him. but not before both
Philip and IoOla had seen that il