Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-08

| ~"
Guiiford Berton was silent for a mo
ment An idea, startling in its audaei-
ty,, flashed into his mind.
Can you guess what It is?' Norah
asked anxiously, forgetting in her
eagerness that it was Guilford Berton
she was addres sing.
Still he remained silent and Norah,
struck by his silence, looked at him.
'eYou have .'o4he idea Please tell
me what it is! IT may be something
that he wants me to do for him
What is it?''
YES, have an idea" he said
"But'-he paused-"I do not think
can tell you tonight
why not?" asked Norah.
Not tonight" he said; tomorrow
perhaps. No, Lady Norah, well,
have not the courage"
mot the courage!'" repeated Moran
NO" he said. '1f l told you my
Interpretation you would be angry:
ard cannot afford that you should be
angry with me-"
Il do not understand. Why should
| be angry. Mr.. Berton?"
"Will you give me your promise
that what I may say to you shall not
make you angry with me?'' he asked
IN a low voice.
Il do not think you would say any
thing that sho Id make me angry, Mr..
Rertou " she said uuietly
''T'hen I will tell you I have your
promise. remember, Lady Norah!
You ask me if / can interpret the ex-
preston which the earl's face wears
when he looks from you to me. The
answer bears reference-close refer
enc to you.
ITO me?" said Norah, mechanically.
Yes he said, looking at her from
under his eyes. 'TWill You carry your
mind back to the night of the earrs
se.zure?"
Norah inclined her head slightly.
You will remember that / came in
late and went to the earl in the libra
ry went to consult MIN about some
business matter, but l found him
strangely averse to discussing it. He
seemed to have something on his
mind have no doubt that the pre-
sentiment of his coming Illness was
upon him, and 1t was only natural
that he should be dwelling upon the
subject nearest his heart-yourseIf."
Norah's hand went forth and found
the earl's and held it.
HE spoke of you, Lady Norah, OF
the joy and comfort your presence
brought him, and then"-he paused
and hesitated, but it was too late to
draw back, and with a covert glance at
her he went on, smoothly, softly--"and
then he spoke of myself"
He waited to see if she would speak
but Norah remained silent.
The earl and l have been such
close friends for so long, Lady Noreh.
ana he was so quick to notice any
change in the demeanor of those abort
him, that it was not surprising he
should remark an alteration in my
manner, though | have tried to hide
it from him, from all. That night he
asked me what it was that weighed
upon my mind. | tried to evade the
question. but he had discovered the
truth and he frankly charged me with
it, Can you not guess its nature,
Lady Norahl''
Norah's hand closed tightly on the
earrs and shudder shook her. She
could not have spoken to save her life,
but simply sat. her eyes fixed upon
him with wild incredulity and amaze
ment
Tine confession was wrung from
me; could not have kept it back;
but even as made it felt how hope
less was the love which I had fought
against and had fondly trusted l had
hidden from every one. | knew
have never forgotten-the difference III
our positions. | realize it now, this
moment as keenly as I have ever
done. But there is no gulf too wiio
for love to bridge. / had set MY
heart upon one as far Aabove me as
the stars in the heavens. But. though
one may despair of ever reaching tie
stars, one may love them and look up
them with longing eyes. You have
been my star, Lady Norah. and
have worshiped. worship you still.
That WIS my confession, Lady Norah,
and l exepcted to hear from the lips
of the earl a denunciation of my au
dacity and-a dismissal. waited pr
tiently, as a criminal waits for the
passing of the sentence which will
oonsign him TO lifelong misery. But
it was not pronounced Tho earl Wis
not surprised. RemerIner that he ad
discovered my secret and read Ley
heart. He was not surprised and
he was not angry. Heaven knows
how much above my poor deserts ne
esteems me! So much that, in place
of condemnation and rebule he spoke
Heaven bless him!'-ae looked
gratefully toward the wan. drawn
face lying back on the pile ws--'h
spoke words of comfortt ana encour.
agement All. Lady Norah. ncle but
and those deAr to him can ever
fully appreciate the nobility CT his la
tuTe it was I who strank with un
lfeigned humility from confessing my
love; It was he, the loble father, who
rou c pf,tipcr 10 forc OF tho difference IN