Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-04-11

And now the twos men stood listen
ing in silence to Leola's sweet voice,
Beaumont with eyes bent eagerly in
the direction of the singer, Cyril
looking grayely on the ground.
What a lovely voice it Is" said
Beaumont. Don't you think so,
Cyril?"
Yes" said Cyril. gently.
Beaumont looked at him wistfully.
q often envy you. Cyril" he said.
Envy me?"
yes, your position here. You
have so many opportunities of see
ing her and being near her"
Cyril struck his riding-whip against
his leg thoughtfully, and did not
look up.
Il have to trouble Miss Dale often
er than used, because of Shines i'll.
health"
Say drunkenness" said Beaumont.
81 am afraid he does drink too
much, said Cyril.
YES, we all know who is the actual
steward Cyril, and We all know how
greatly the estate will gain
oh I am only Shines substitute
while he is-ill," said Cyril, quietly.
But as said, am often obliged to
trouble Miss Dale on business"
Yes. and that's why envy you, :"
said Beaumont. "You can see her
when you please, talk to her listen
to her. while the rest of us" he paused,
for a crimson flush had gradually
spread over Cyril's face But it
vanished more quickly than it had ap-
peared, as he looked up.
81 thought the Abbey was always
open to you Lord Beaumont"
so it is" said Beaumont, flushing
in his turn But l can scarcely live
there all day, and that is what I
should like to do. The place seems
to me to be filled with sunshine.
Hush! what is that?'
For Leola had changed her song,
and now rose like lark the old re-
frain:
THE boatee rows, the boatee rows
Before Cyril could reply there was
a CLEAN of a morning dress among
the green strawberries, and Leola
was upon them. She started, the song
died from her lips, and with her
usual smile, and an additional touch
of color on her cheeks, she came up
to them. What are you two gen
tlemen plotting behind hedge?' she
said, brightly, as she shook hands with
Beaumont and bowed to Cyril, who
raised his hat and glanced at his
watch as if he was suddenly reminded
of the time.
"Oh. we were talking very limo
Gently said Beaumont; Il was ask
ing Mr.. Kingsley if he thought this .
good day to sketch the old mill"
Leola looked up at the bright sky
Il should think it would look ex-
tremely picturesque this morning;
and the light is good. is it not?"
'WilI you come and see with me?'
said Beaumont.
Il must be ca my way, said Cyril,
quietly, and he raised his hat
He was very grave and somewhat
pale.
Can you stay one moment Mr.
Kingsley" said Leola, in the gentle,
almost deferential tone in which she
always spoke to him.
Cyril pulled up and stood like
statue.
Il wart to ask you about the Giles
farm said Leola; "Mr. Ford has
written about it. have the letter
in my pocket"
And taking it ont she handed, 1t to
him. by which it viii be pretty clearly
seen that cyril had become something
more than manager of the Home
Farm
Let us combine pleasure with bust
ness. said Beaumont, eagerly. why
shouldn't we all walk to the mill.
have sent my easel down-and then
you can talk over the matter with Mr..
Kingsley
Leola looked at Cyril--it was
strange that she, being mistress, did
not decde-and he said:
Il am at Miss Dale's disposal
Let us go down to the mill, then"
said Leola
They turned and walked across the
park Leola between them.
Presently they reached the river,
and following its course round sud
den bend, came to the old mill.
This mill had beer erected by a
f4orme, who had taken fancy to
mechanics and architecture, and the
mill, and a most antique castle which
stood within sight Of il, were the
results of his whims and oddities
To be Continued