Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-10-24

/, daughter, 1 will not permit myself tt
bet is an ugly word, but car
find no other-ashamed Of her."
Il hope you viii have no cause tc
be ashamed of Lady Norah, my lord,
he said slowly.
Thank rou very much. / trust
not. But, as 1 said, am prepared for
the worst. A girl brought up as she
has been" He stopped. But, my
dear Petherick, am OBTAINING you
and will cause you to hurry your
toilet"
Mr.. Petherick bowed and left the
room without another word. but when
he reached the hall he looked round
and suffered himself to mutter his ia,
vorite ejaculation. Bless my soul!"
/ The earl went into the drawing
room, a magnificent salon, richly dec
Grated with gold upon ivory white by
lingo Jones, and stood in a graceful az
titude awaiting his guests.
II he felt any curiosity respecting
; this daughter upon whom his eyes
were to rest for the first time certain.
ly no trace of 1t was to be seen in his
face as he took up an orchid from a
vase and examined it with as pleased
ard devoted attention as if his mind
wore entirely free from any more
\ pressing matter.
Presently some OF the guests ar
rived
The fo0tman announced Lord Fern
dale, whose estate joined Santleigh,
an old and genial man with a loud
voice, which made Lord Arrowdale's
sound the sweeter and softer by con.
trast; Mr.. Parfeet, a neighboring
squire. and the rector Lord Arrow
dale always attended church every
! Sunday morning, subscribed TO all the
local charities and. as he would have
put it, supported the clergy"
| He shook hands with them, muir
INJURED a few graceful words Of wei.
come, then glanced at his watch
we are waiting for two Others
expect Guilforl Berton."
"Ah, well, he is always punctual. Z"
said the rector with the chucliie
which accompanied nearly every re-
mark: and. indeed, as he spoke. the
footman announced the gentleman al
luded to.
He wSs tall, thin youns man, with
q sallow face and hair ard eyes Of a
darkness seldom found n an English
man. They were fine eyes, seemed to
light up his face and render it's sal
lowness almost unnoiceable, and
they flashed for a moment round the
room and from face to face before he
uttered a word Then he came for
ward and greeted the earl. and mis-
voice was almost as soft and sweetly
pitched as his hosts.
The earl's glance rested upon the
dark face and carefully attired figure
with momentary approval, and there
was touch of cordially and familiar
lty in his. voice as he spoke to him
which had been absent when he al
dressed his other guests.
'Ah, Guilford We were lauding
your punctuality. The air is some
what cooler this evening, I trust?"
Yes, said Gui1ford Berton But
walked somewhat slowly. I hope
have not kept you waiting"
No" said the earl, I'VE are wait
I ing now for Lady Norah.
Lord Ferndale, who was standing
near, regarding the young man with
not altogether approving counte-
nance, turned to the earl with sur
prise
! ''Lady-Norah!" he said
| 1t was a bachelors party ana the
announcement of guest of the other
sex startled him. The rector and NJ.
! Parfieet stopped suddenly in the mid
die OF their gossip and also turned to-
ward the earl.
He stood bland and smiling, looking
at them. one white hand touching
caressingly the flower in his button
hole, the ctner hanging gracefully st
i his size, and only the black eyes Of
cdIIfOrd Berton were acute enough to
detect something malicious and self
I torturing beneath the smile and the
veneered ease.
Il beg your pardon. I ought TO
have said my daughter, Lady
Norah.'
Lord Ferndale started and the rec
tor and Mr.. Parfleet exchanged
glances. They remembered the earl's
marriage and the quickly following
separation. but they had known moth.
ing OF the daughter.
The earl seemed, in a courteous
fashion, to enjoy their surprise.
You are astonished, Guilford ?" he
said, addressing the young man,
whose eyes were fixed upon him.
You were not aware that was even
married. Our good friends could
have told you the story"-and he
waved his hand slightly toward the
three other silent men. Not at all a
new or original one. but not without
its touch of romance. A foolish and
high-lown youth and an unsophisti-
Gated girl He spoke as calmly and
blandly as ii he were talking of some
one else's marriage rather than his
own. Romantic, but disastrous. 1t
may serve as a warning to YOU nv