Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-02-14
CHAPTER II.

A coquette lays herself open to
4 many embarrassing situations. Before
| the tender smile with which she had
1 said farewell to Cyril Kingsley had
/ died away from Polly's handsome
/ face, Edward Young marched sullenly
up to the gate, and although Polly
greeted him with a very fair imitation
of the smile, it did not dispel the
shadow from his brow.
Edward looked at her gloomily.
What's Master Kingsley want
here?" he asked, not over pleasantly.
Polly tossed her head.
Not silver spoons" she retorted,
because we don't happen to have
any
Edward Young hesitated for mo-
ment, then with an angry imprecation,
stallzed off He was a hot-tempered
young fellow, and very much in love
Polly tossed her head with little
laugh She knew that she held her
lover pretty tightly, and that his
jealousy was a strong evidence of it.
Some women are born without
hearts, and the heartless women are
not always and altogether found in
the fashionable circles. A village
belle can be as heartless as a leader
Of fashion.
Polly leaned over the gate looking
after her retreating lover. and ar
ranging a small posy Of garden flow
ers, with the most perfect unconcern.
To Edward Young she gave not a sec
ond thought. She was thinking of
Cyril Kingsley. Now Polly was
quite as ready to hate as to love that
gentleman. If she had been given her
choice she would have preferred to
love him, and that he Should fall in
love with her; but if he proved cold
she would be as ready to hate him.
She was still thinking of him when
the moon rose and shone In the lat
ticed window of the cottage 1t was o
lovely night-too warm indoors, and
Polly was still lingering by the gate,
when she heard the sound of horses
| hoofs.
She thought for a moment that it
might be Cyril Kingsley, for, as she
! knew, he was often in the habit of rid
ing about the country al night; but
suddenly a black horse cGme round
the bend of the lane, and Polly knew
that it was not Cyril Kingsley, but
Philip Dyce.
All are fish that come to a coQuette's
net, and she waited the approach of
the horseman with smile,
Philip rode slowly down the lane,
his pale, thoughtful face graver and
more thoughtful than usual; indeed
he was lost in q reverie, for his reins
lay on the horses back, and Dyces
gray eyes were bent downwards in
deep meditation.
But suddenly he caught the CLEAN
of Poily's white muslin, and, as II with
AN effort. he. drove the abstraction
from his brow and rode up to the gate.
Now. if Polly had happened to have
gone in before the appearance of that
black horse, or Philip had ridden past
with a smile, how differently would
the course of Leola's life have run!
But the black horse stopped short,
and Philip himself raising his hat,
fell into conversation with the village
belle, whom he knew quite well.
Well, Polly" he said, his thin lips
wreathed in a genial smile, enjoying
the bright moonlight"
Well Mr.. Philip" said Polly, CO.
quettishly, you're enjoying it, too.
Everybody seems to be out tonight"
Everybody, Who's everybody"
Well" SAID Polly. Mr.. Cyril Kings
ley. for one"
"Oh, said Philip, with his cold,
cynical smile, he has been here, has
he?"
~Yes-why shouldn't hep He has
been here to tea" said Polly, with a
toss of her head.
He's an agile young gentleman, "
said Philip. 1T is not many hours
ago since he pulled Lord Beaumont
cut of the lake
oh, l know all about that said
Polly, proudly.
oh, you do" said Philip. Then
you are MT. Atn8Sley ) cOuHudult.
| Polly, eh?H
Don't talk nonsense, Mr. Philip,
said Polly. smiling.
That's the proper thing to do on a
night like this, Polly said Mr.. Dyce,
| quietly slipping from his saddle, and
throwing the bride over his arm.
And so nr. Kingsley took tea with
you, Poliy?''
Why shouldn't ne replied Polly,
( pertly,
"Oh, I don't know responded Philip
with his cold smile. Mr.. Kings
ley is an impartial admirer; dare sag
he is equally agreeable with black or
white"
What do You mean" demanded
Polly
~Oh. nothing said Philip, playing
with his watch-chain, his cold eyes
glancing obliquely at the village belle.
But they say that Mr. Kingsley hirts
Set