Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-05-23


you. madly passionately. Do not
speak; wait till | have told you all /;
then send me from you with the bit
ter scornful words my presumption
deserves.
Il. a nameless wanderer, loved you
the first time / saw you, out there in
the park You were mistress of
Lorme Abbey, while was friendless
and unknown. l knew, felt that
loved you and | determined to leave
England lest l should see you again.
But l was weak, and circumstances
tempted me. | thought-pOOr fool
that / was-that it world be happi-
ness enough to be near you. to come
within your presence sometimes, to
see you at distance, and, under that
delusion l used the opportunity that
chance provided 1t was better TO
be your servant than to leave you
forever. | went to the Here Farm,
and | saw you; but my love grew day
by day to a passion which absorbed
me could see the gulf between US,
yet it was so easy TO look across,
such JOY to be near you, that l hug
ged my misery and was content
Il lived in the sunlight of your
beauts, lived in the music of your
voice My love has grown so great
that it has mastered me, and l must
20. Look at me with no scorn in
your glance. Leola. You, who have
not known love, cannoy know how
fierce and wild a storm RACES within
my heart.
Here. tonight, leave you forever.
/ leave you happy in your wealth, and
joyous future Ii | have been dis
loyal to a friend, that friend, seeing
how greatly have suffered, would
forgive me. even as you do Leola
You are the only woman l ever
loved as you are the last. Let me
go without one word or look of
scoru
"Why-why.8 she murmured. softly
and slowly. why should you go?"
Why" he echoed. oh, do you
ask me in mockery, Leola? tell you
that | love you'll love you"
'You-loye-me! murmured LeOla,
lingeringly. as if there were some sub
tie music in the words.
4 love YOU" he repeated. Il love
you with all my heart and soul, and
that is why | must go. Would you
have me stay to be tortured by an
other mans happiness? Would you
have me stay"
Yes she said raising her hand
You will not be tortured
What do you mean?" he demand
ed, grasplng her arm. almost fereely
stay she said, almost inaudibly
Stay, Is it possible? Do you
know what meaning I might in my
madness. attach to your words? Leola
do not mock me, You would not
say stay unless you-you loved me-
stay" she murmured again.
"L4eola, he breathed, is it pos.
sible that you love me-"
Yes, love you" she said
Forgive me, my darling-my
queen" he murmured. But think
what it must be to me to know that
you love me-"
Does it seem SO stranger whis
pered Leola, looking up at his hand
some face, pale no longer, but
flushed and alight with a passionate
Joy Did you never suspect that
that l loved you?'
Never" he replied. How should
II? You. the beautiful mistress Of
Lorme Abbey. the idol of the county
to fail in love with the manager oil
your farm? Preposterousi Why
am half inclined to feel ashamed OF
yot myself" and he smiled as he
| smoothed her hair with a lingering
caressfng touch. Why. think he
went on, rallying her what NIGH
| you not have been. There Is the
duke who they say, is never tired Of
talking of you Duchess Of Forth
shire. Then there Is Lord Beaumon
-ah, what agony have endured II
connection with him, Thlnk-Lady
Beaumont--and then the Countess o
Howth Does not that sound we'll .