Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-06-13


as l thought; but he must have stole
out and run for the train"
The last train Dear mel" SAID
Lady Vaux that was the train Polly
Marsden went by"
There was moments intense 81
lence.
! Leola stood like a statue. The full
significance OF Lady Vauxs comment
did not strike her for the moment
but suddenly there flashed across her
mind the idle gossip which Lady
Vaux had indulged in on the evening
of the dinner-party and how her
Iladyship had limited that there was an
intrigue between Cyril and the girl.
1t all flashed back upon her, to
gether with the recollection of her
and Cyril meeting Polly Marsden that
morning at the farm, and the familiar
nod with which the girl had greeted
him
Leola remembered, too, the look
which Polly had sent after them, fl
was the look of q jealous woman.
Aud nOw-and now they were say.
ing that Cyril and the girl had gone
to London by the last train-what did
it mean?
Surely the most trustful and loving
nature is not jealous-proof, thick
though its armor-plate of faith may
be.
Leola stood upright and motionless
but a paug OF fear read-and, yes,
Jealousy. shot through her heart, and
her face paled slightly Mrs. lib
belts next words did not mend mat
tiers.
Polly Marsden!" she repeated,
family. staring aghast at Lady Vaux.
why she was hanging about the
farm asking for him, she muttered,
absently; then, as She glanced at
Leola. she awoke 20 the inference
which her murmured words might
bear, and said. catching herself up,
but what's that to do with Mr..
Cyril. my lady? I've heard as the
girl has run away, but that's nothing
to do with Mr.. Cyril" repeated Mrs .
Tibbett, growing hot with indigEa-
ton at the mere idea and turning
from one to the other with out
stretched hands. why, my lady, -
she continued. addressing Lacy Vaux,
and carefully avoiding Leola's eye,
the girl has been hanging about the
farm times without number, always
trying to get a word with him-as
everybody in the village always was
but never said more than a civil
word to her; threw the good-morning
just as he'd throw it TO the children.
/ don't think he SO much as knew
whether she was fair or dark, red or
black
Philip Dyce smiled, and shook his
head graveiy.
Not he, repeated Mrs Tibbett, all
the more emphatically for this silent
contradiction If you want TO know
who the girl is gone off with, it's Ed
ward Young"
Edward Young, my good woman
interrupted Lady Vaux eying Mrs
Tibbetts red face through the gold
eyeglasses. is in the village at the
present moment"
Mrs. Tibet looked staggered for a
moment but only for moment.
Don't YOU believe a word Of it,
Miss Leola dear. she exclaimed, en-
ergetically, turning TO Leola for the
first time Mr. Cyril was too much
the gentleman to have any conversa-
ton with Polly MarsGen, or any other
girl in the village"
Not TOO much for the gentleman
TO stop and take tea occasionally, -
muitered Philip grayely.
Mrs. TtbbeJt swung around.
Who says that, sir?' she de
manded. almost lercely.
rnip paused a moment.
Z am sorry to say there is no
doubt Of it. Mrs Tibbett." he said.
softly q saw him leave the village
myself. and the girl boosted that he
had taken Tea with her"
Leaia moved 10 the window, The
gew. with the Home Farm in the dis
Jance swan before her eyes; the
voices w. the speakers struck upon
her ears with blurred, indistinct
sound: doubt suspicion, dread. we're
slowly overcoming her
When % cried Mrs. Tibbett so
CURLY that it seemed absolutely dis
a.af g..