Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-11-14
Continued.


keeps me here. You will laugh
can't help it. You'll think me mad
even if you don't say so; perhaps
am. Well, then, this afternoon wnen
! left you for stroll l sauntererd to.
wards the court gates to get view OF
the house. AS / was standing there
a carriage came up. II stopped while
the lodge-keeper was opening the
gates, and | saw an old man and a
girl inside. She looked out for mo-
ment. l only caught glimpse of her
face, but"-he paused and looked
straight before him, his eyes glowing
with look which Jack Wesley had
never observed in them before-"I see
her now! Jack, it was the most beau
tifnl face | have ever seen. stood
rooted to the spot. She did not see
me, and her eyes"
He paused again. do you know
that picture in the left-hand corner of
the large room of the National Gal
lery, Jack?"
Jack Wesley nodded. He was not
smiling now.
They were like the girls in tn =
picture, but lovelier. Fer hair
He stopped again. IF were to talk
for month should give you no idea
of the face that haunts me-" he went
on in low voice" of it's sweetness,
its purity, its nameless charm! The
carriage went on, and Just woke!"
~, n
face
yes, fell in love with a face!
Why don't you laugh?"
81 was wondering whether you'd
mind my crying" retorted Jack Yves
ley, in a low voice; for, believe me,
my dear fellow, love is more of a cry
ing than laughing matter. Did you
discover who she was?"
mo l asked the lodge-keeper, and
he could not tell me. came home,
and the face lowered before me- p
His head dropped, so that his eyes
were hidden.
And it was on the bare chance of
getting second glimpse of the face
that you ventured on the bulgarious
expedition to the court tonight?"
1T was he assented grimly. 81
would go through fire and water to
see her again!'
And you imagine, suspect, that the
voice you heard was hers?" suggested
Jack Wesley.
Yes, I think so. Now you know
why cannot go back with you, Jack"
Il think I understand" said Wesley,
gravely, land you make a great mis-
take If you think am going to try
and persuade you; but you'l let me-
say that, If l were indeed the friend
you call me, l should secure you by
main force and conevy you as luna
tic out of harms way; that is to say,
miles away from Santleigh Court and
the girl who resembles the De Vinci
picture. Cyril, what good can come
Of this? For all you know she may
be ngaged-perhaps married."
Cyril almost started, and bit his lip
cat any rate, she is on visit to
an earl. She may be no end of a
swell herself
and am a miserable painter"
broke in Cyril 81 know. There is
nothing you can say that have not
thought OF, and yet l cannot go.
Leave me here, Jack for a few days
at least. | know its madness, but
well, knowing it won't cure it.
Il understand, old fellow, that ar
istic nature of yours has caught fire,
and II leave you to tlaze il out. Is
there anything | CAN do before l go?
Anything in the shape of'-he hest
tated and colored slightly-"well, to
put it bIuntly, anything in the exche-
quer liner"
That's just like you, Jack. No,
thank you. I've enough for my most
modest wants, and 1 shall work-no,
you needn't smile; l mean it"
We'll, then, I'll go to bed" said
Jack Good night
"Stopi We've shan't want to
talk over this again tomorrow and I've
remembered one thing you can do, or
rather refrain from doing. It's this:
I've an idea that possibly someone
may hunt you up and make some in
quiIies about me. It's not very prob
able, but it's possible If anyone
should do so, will you tell them as lit
tie as you CAM"
"The Sphinx shall not be more dis
Greet. I'll forget that such person
as Cyril Burne exists"
That's just what want" said
Cyril. Good night, old fellow, and
pleasant Dreams
Left alone, he resumed his seat on
the table, and fell into deep thought
Presently he took some money from
his pocket, and counted it out on the
table. 1t vas anything but a large
sum, but he appeared satisfied, and
returned it to his pocket In doing so
his hand came IL contact with a small
fusee box, and he drew it out, and
looked at it thoughtfully. 1t was of
silver, and bore an elaborate mono
gram, and it seemed to slggest some
idea to him, for, holding it still in his
hand, he opened the door and went
into the street. There was a horse
pond close by and he walked to It
and flung the fusee case into the mid
die II fell with a little sulasn. and