Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-11

u IN Ine DFdIu Oh NOunS Aiau' 4tC
on hit to have been here"
The countess sighed.
Poor Gerald he would not be per
suaded to come. This news about
Cyril Kingsley has thoroughly upset
him, and he has shut himself up in
his studio to brood over it."
Once only had the color deserted
Leola's cheek and the brilliance
faded from her eyes. 1t was while
she was dancing with the lord lieu
tenant of the adjoining county.
Il think you stand a good chance of
carrying off tic prize for the best
field of mangold wurtzle, Miss Dale"
said Lord Hawkley. Il rode over
your Home Farm the other day, and
noticed how capitally that gentleman
ly young man, Cyril Kingsley, was
managing things. He'll take a prize
for you, l feel sure. By the way,
hasn't he disappeared mysteriously
or something Of that sort? l heard
something of the kind as came
through the rooms"
Very likely, my lord she said
Mr. Kingsley has been discharged
from my service. 1t is our turn, l
think"
Eth? Oh, yes!' said his lordship.
And he led her into the dance, per-
fectly unconscious of the storm he
had aroused.
but she was glad when those
"Lanciers" were over, and inwardly
dreading some further remark, or
questioning from her awkward part
ner, greeted Philip Dyce's appear
anco with a smile of welcome which
made his heart throb.
This is my dance-my last to-
night" he said, wistfully.
Leola looked up with surprise.
1t is my last with you" he said,
soignifcantly-"I shall not dance af-
terward."
AS you please" she said.
They danced through half the
waltz, and then drawing her aside, he
arranged the Grape shawl over her
shoulders, and led her a lil,'e apart.
Where are we going?' said Leola.
Il thought you would like to rest
little way out of the crowd. There
is a picture gallery here" he said.
They were standing near an old
velvet fauteuil; as she turned he bent
towards her. resting one knee on the
fauteuil, and laid his hand imploring
~ on her arm.
"Leola. can keep silence no longer
This has been the happiest night Of
my life, it rests with you to confirm
that happiness or dispel it, and rem
der this night the most miserable.
Leola-listen to me for one mi1rte,"
he pleaded, for Leola had shrunk
back slightly at the fervor of his
words. and stood looking at him with
startled eyes,
'IAste,l to met" he pleaded. Do
with me as you will--make my life
happy, or send me away more
wretched than any soul alive-do
either, but be sure of this-that no
man. be he good or evil will ever
love you more truly. more devotedly
than do. Look into my face-there
is no deceit, no treachery there,
There will be-there may already
have been-many who will tell YOU
that they love you. but they cannot
love you as I love you, Leola. J
would give up the whole world for
you. know that an adverse in
fuence has fought against me. that
YOU have for some time past looked
coldly upon me- Why, l know not
but tonight you have seemed nearer
! to me, so near that I have ventured-
all too madly, perhaps,-to lay my
love. my life, at your feet Such
| love as | offer you, Leola, is not the
J weak, transient passion of an uncul-
tivated mind I know my heart and
| it speaks r. no uncertain tone. ! love
you, Leola, and l ask you to grant me
| the priceless privilege Of guarding
your life. of cherishing it against the
| hard world, so unworthy of its purity
and mystic goodness. This is my
| prayer--a prayer such as slave never
| offered to any other woman on earth
save YOURSELF such as, ii you are deaf
| to il will never again pass my lips
Tonight I place my life In your hands
do with il as you will Take II, and
make it higher, worthier-it can
never be in any way worthy of you
or throw II aside as the worthless
thing 1t is. and will be. unless your
love redeems it. See" he said,
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