Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-01-24
CHAPTER VII.

IHFItdLlUuS pOuIeU III upon the lNJ
ladies OF the Abbey from every direc-
tion, until it appeared as if : kind of
gala festival of welcome had been or
gained. A change had, indeed, come
over the spirit of Leola's dream. and
she was beginning o realize what the
power of wealth meant when she
found every wish anticipated, every
desire not only fulfilled, but that be
fore she gave it expression; when
every day was made rich by the addi-
ton Of some new friendship, and all
her little world lay at her feet.
But in the midst of this blaze of
fesriyity and novel excitement Leola
did not forget her old friends.
Long ago Mrs. Tibbett and the chill
dren had been installed in the Home
Farm, where Mr.. Cyril Kingsley was
now upon trial
Once or twice Leola had walked or
ridden down 10 the farm to see Mrs.
Tibet and the little ones, but she
had net met the young gentleman
who had so mysteriously appeared
upon the scene.
Ti5batts arrival, Leola had, in a
casual way and with carelessness of
tone quite unusual to her. asked Mrs
Tibet how she and the young farmer
agreed, and Mrs. Tibet had FASTENED
to speak in the highest terms.
Agree. Miss" she said, warmly,
mo one could help agreeing with him,
ia,
gentleman I ever knew. And he is a
gentleman, Miss, anyone can see.
Not that he's at all proud, bless you,
rot, He comes in and out without
the least bit of fuss, and never without
a kind word for any OF us he meets.
And as for the children, Miss Leola,
do believe they Eorship him; some
times l am quite afraid that they'll
worry him, for they do SO Gro I'd upon
him when they see him; and 10. if
they hear as he is coming down the
yard they rush out as if they meant
to eat him; but he never minds, and
it's seldom but that he hasn't one Of
them on his knee when he's in the
house. Anyone can see he's fond of
children.
Il am glad of that" said Leola.
And he seems quite-quite happy"
Yes, Miss replied Mrs. Tibet. Il
should say so; it's true as he's some
times thoughtful and grave like, and
some evenings he goes up to his room
quite early and sits there. He reads,
| think. because l see the book on the
table in the morning when | go to
clean up the room; and sometimes he
writes. Once or twice I've heard him
walking up and down, uneasy like, and
did take the liberty Of knocking and
asking him if he wasn't WE'LL
thought he might have the toothache;
but he said no and that l wasn't
to trouble about him"
DO you mean that he is sometimes
uphappy?" asked Leola, with deep in
terest in her voice and eyes.
No Miss, not unhappy, | should
say. but thoughtful like He works
very hard" Mrs. Tibet added.
There isn't a morning that he isn't up
at daybreak, and he walks miles upon
miles during the day, helping the men
and working with them like one of
themselves"
He's quite a scholar, Miss re-
marked Mrs. Tibbett; 4 often see him
reading those foreign books. And he
can draw, too. look here, Miss Leola,"
And, with a smile that was almost
proud, Mrs. Tibbett opened a port
folio which stood against the wall,
Leola drew back little, but not be-
fore she had caught a glimpse of
cleverly-executed sketch of the Abbey.
Il don't think it is quite right to
be too inquisitive, she said, coloring
and laughing a little-"Mr Kingsley
might not like it."
"Oh, bless you, Miss responded
Mrs. Tibbett, promptly, ''he wouldn't
mind; he's the sweetesttempered gen
tleman, as l say; and he'll let the
children pull his pictures about as
much as they like"
Perhaps he wouldn't be so forbear-
ing towards children of a larger
growth, Mrs. Tibbett," SAID Leola, and
then they went down stairs again.
gate for her, and she got in and drove
off, thinking, as was only natural,
of the manager of the Home Farm.
A garden-party at Howth Castle,
the residence of the Earl of Howth,
was on the programme of the day, and
as the castle was at a drive of an
hour and a half's distance, and the
time of meeting four o'clock, Leola
was rather late. If the truth must be
confessed, Mary her maid, had said
work with her young mistress the
best-dressed woman-as in Mary's
opinion she certainly was the most
beautiful-in Wealdshire, Leoia's as
pirations did not at all tend in thai d.
rection, and so long as the garments
were pretty, and she could get her
mornings cold bath she was almost
Indifferent
1t was quite amusing to hear Mary
humbly and piteously imploring her
Young mistress to be in time for dress
ing. and almost heartrending to see
Mary's face when Leola would run In