Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-06-06

bring one all the gossip of the place? %
But l don't care for gossip" said
Leola.
My dear" said Lady Vaux, with a
little shake of the head, I'VE all care
for gossip-we are born so, all of us,
and We can never be altered or i'm
proved in that respect The best and
worst of us love a little scandal, and
especially when scandal is so scarce
and rare"
And what is this-scandal?" said
Leola. almost contemptuously
Wei, my dear Leola. it is not very
much. III admit. and it may not be
true-I hope it isn't They say
that that T. 1-haired girl--what is her
name?-Polly. yes, Polly Marsden. has
eloped."
Polly Marsden has eloped." said
Lady Vaux. and she set down her cot
fee-cup and stretched out her prim-
rosegIoyed hands.
Leola looked round at her with
mild grave eyes: she scarcely
realized the just significance of the
information.
Isn't 'eloped rather too-too
sweeping word?" said Mrs. Wetner-
ell. in her mild, deprecating way.
Well" said Lady Vaux. Struggling
her shoulders, what would you have
me to say. dear Mrs. Wetherell? The
girl is missing
she may have gone to nay visit
TO some friends" suggested Mrs.
Wetherell's simplicity
Leola. kneeling beside the mastiff,
looked from one to the other in 81
lent attention.
Il am afraid we cannot take so
charitable view OF the situation,
said Lady vaux, with a little sigh.
The girl IS a vain, Eighty creature,
ana this sudden disappearance is
really what was to Re expected of
her"
II never heard word against
her. said Mrs. WetherelI, gently.
mo-" responded Lady vaux, with
arched eyebrows But you see, you
two dear creatures"--and she smiled
sweetly at Leola-"live such retired
lives. Now. can say have heard
all sorts Of gossip about Miss Polly
for months past"
Il know she was rather vain" said
Mrs. Wethcrell. still pleading for
charity on behalf Of the absent. She
was good-loohing girl, and much ad-
mlred "
Very much. put in Lady vaux.
softly
Much admired by the beaux of
the village
she has given them the cold
shoulder" said Lady Vaux Even
the most favored of her sweethearts
poor Edward Young-has been
snubbed and dismissed At first,
when her flight was known, it was
thought that she had run away with
him. and that her GOODNESS and Co
quetry toward him had been assumed
for a blind. But poor Edward Young
is stiff in the village. drinking at the
Lorme Arms and swearing vengeance
against the man, Now the ques
ton is. who IS the MANI"
If she has run away with anyone
at ALL said Leola, speaking for the
first time. and with heightened color
Just so, my dear, murmured
Mrs. Wetherell. approviugly.
My dear" expostulated Lady
Vaux. do you think young girls like
Polly Marsden run off Il the dead Of
the night by themselves? The idea
is too-too quixotic, Of course she
has gone with someone, And really
we ought 20 know who it is, At
least It is your duty. my dear Leola.
she added. with a little smile. for
son are the lady of the manor. and
the miserable girl lived on your es-
tate
Il viii ask''-Cyril. Leola was go
ing o say, but stopped in time. and
went on rather hurriedly: I will
write and ask Mr.. Ford"
Oh he IS of no use, said Lady
YauE Struggling her shoulders, dear
OH man He would put on his spec
tacles and take a sheet of parch.
ment au1-do nothing No There Is
one person who can help us to dis
cover the rights Of the matter, and
that is-Mg Kingsley"
Leo.a bent over the mastiff and
pulled his silky ears.
He will be here presently" she
said -'ovly
Il am glad OF that said Lady
Vaux. rapturousiy he will be the
very person TO help us Do you know
Mr. Kingsley Cyril, as Lord Beau.
mont calls hlm--charm ng name,--is
quite d favorite Of mine l say that
be is the image of a hero OF romance.
with that noble head and face OF his,
and such a geuuemanly man-for his
position said her ladyship. with
splendid coudescensiou.
Leola's face burned and her eyes
aasbed--over the mastiffs head
Mr.. Kingsley is always very kind
and considerable" said Mrs Weth-
ereu Il do not know what We should
( 30 without him"
Leola shot a glance of love and
/ gratitude .. the speaker.
Indeed. you must find him delight
FULLY useful" said Lady Vaux in the
n'cely-balanced tone with which she