Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-12

against her Girls will be girls, and
you can't put old heads on young
shoulders, especially When the heads
are so pretty as Becca's. But don't
let US waste time talking about her,
want to hear all about yourself-that
is, all you care to tell me, and she
slid her hand onto Norah's.
Il will tell you everything, but
there is very little to tell, said Norah,
and she began, shyly at first, to de-
scribe her past life and the little cot
tage on the cliff Lady Ferndale
drew her on. now and again bestowing
a gentle pressure on the small hand,
and before they had gone couple of
miles, Norah found herself talking TO
this new friend as if she had known
her for years.
AS Lord Ferndale often said, mis-
wife would draw the heart out of a
stone, if it had possessed one.
And you lived alone with this old
servant with strange name? You
must have felt very solitary some
times. dear. And what change all
this must seem 10 you'll"
Yes, it was lonely sometimes; but
Catherine was not like a servant; she
was a second mother to me, saia
Norah, in a low voice, her head
averted The chaDge!" she smiled.
1T is like a fairy story, 1t is all so
beautiful t hat 1t is like a dream. l
only wish"
"Wen?" asked Lady Ferndale. with
smile.
"Oh, sometimes l wish that it was
not all quite so-grand. l am always
afraid that l shall make some mis-
take"
Il am quite sure you haven't" re-
tprted Lady Ferndale, shrewdly
My dear, you behave as if you were
bo~u in the purple. As / told your
father, you must have got your man
ne. from aim, but it is change!
And it will be greater and more strik-
hlg presently. for we mean to make
great deal of you You are our latest
acquisition, you know. and must ex-
pect to be treated to little Honizing."
AS she spoke, they entered a 4ane
up steep hill, and she pulled up the
ponies into walk.
Il shall be such very poor kind Of
a lion. I'm afraid / don't even know
how to roar. L" She stopped
suddenly, and Lady Ferndale glanced
at her TO see the cause.
Norah had happened to glance To-
ward the left side of the lane just
little ahead of them, and saw
young man seated on a gate. An easel
stood below him. but he was evident
ly taking a rest, and sat with his arms
resting on his knees, and smoking. in
deep thought.
She tried not to blush, but she felt
the hot blood rising to her face, and
she knew that Lady Ferndale's quick
eyes had noticed it.
Who is that, dear?" she asked.
His name is Cyril Burne. He is an
artist
Evidently" said Lady Ferndale
What handsome yom . fellow? Is
he friend of yours, dear?"
Scarcely friend-I have only met
him once She paused, remem-
bering the voice on til.
is painting hits of the park"
"Of course; l had forgotten that
you only came the other day. Yes, he
is remarkably handsome, and it's a
nice face. too" said Lady Ferndale.
dropping her voice as they came with
in Cyrils hearing.
He looked up, saw Norah, and drop
ping from the gate, took his pipe
from his mouth and raised his hat
Shall l stop?" asked Lady Fern
dale, in a whisper
oh, no" replied Norah
Very well,'' said Ferndale, and the
ponies walked on. I'm rather dis
appointed" she said. with a little
laugh, for I wanted to hear him
speak"
Continued