Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-27


his face with tear-dimmed eyes, and
kiss his hand with passionate devo
ton! And he had danced with her
and with her alone Of all the women 10
the room. He had been walking in
the darkness with her, making love q
her-a. shudder ran through Norah's
frame, and hlT eyes filed with proud
and burning tea.rs-while she, she, tt J
woman whose heart he had won, the
woman with whom he had exchanged
solemn vows of eternal love, had been
neglected by him
1t was insult past all comprehension,
exceeding all belief. And yet she had
seen those two with her own eyes!
A feeling Of shame swept over her
shame for him WHO could be so false,
for herself in that she had loved md
trusted him.
She louged to plead some excuse aud
go home, to fly from the heat tnat
seemed to be sitting her, the hideous
din of the band, the clatter and laugh
ter which sounded like the voices Of
SO many hooking demons in her ears.
Are you tired, Norah, dear? 1t has
been a long cay"
"No-yes, think | am little tired, >
Then a wave Of attraction, repulsion
swept over her. for she saw Cyril 81
preaching them.
Her heart, her soul went out toward
him, but her insulted, injured woman
hood recoiled. She would have risen
and moved away, but her limbs re-
fused to obey her will, and she SAT-
motionless, statuesque, looking
straight before her
What a handsome mani said sn
old lady to Lady Ferndale. Who is
he. my dear? I don't remember see
ing him before"
oh. a great favorite of mine. He
is Mr. Cyril Burne, who is going tn
be a famous artist; isn't he, Norah?'
Norah did not answer Cyril was
close upon them.
Well, Mr. Burne," said Lady Fern
dale. have you come to make those
excuses yon owe me?"
4 have come to ask Lady Norah to
be gracious enough to give me the
next dance, Lady Ferndale Win you
give NE this dance, Lady Norah?''
Thank you but I am tired
The icy words fell upon Cyril's
heart like so many stabs.
At last, in desperation, he said:
What a capital ballroom this
makes. Lady Norah"
Without looking at him she dropped
cold Yes" and resumed her CONVEX
sation with Lady Ferndale.
He could not say. Lady Norah, will
you come with me? I have something
to say to you" he could not say this
openly, with Lady Ferndale and all
these old women sitting by; and yet
he hast speak with her, alone
He saw the people streaming to
ward the end Of the tent into the sup
PEI room, but with eyes that notice
nothing; and it was with a start t.lat
he found Guilford Berton suddenly be
fore them.
WIN you let me take you in to sup
per, Lady Norah?"
CyriIs heart felt ike lead as she
rose and placed her hand on GuIllorl
Berton's arm. and, rising himsen, he
stood and stared after them, as they
walked away, like a man Ia dream.
r. L.,
self, that she should treat him with
such cold disdain? All IL she couI
only know what he had endured our
ing that fortnight of absence from
ner!
I'm afraid you will have to take me
or some other old lady. Mr. Burne,
said Lady Fe.ndale. cycling him with
a half smile Of amusement.
Cyril started, and offered her his
arm, but Lady Ferndale turned to one
of the dowagers
Lady T"essington, let me introduce
Mr.. Cyril BIa'ne," and Cyril feeling
that he must be dreaming out Of his
senses, gaze his arm to the old lady
and led her of.
1t was not for the honor and pleas
ure of taking the Countess Of Tressing-
ton In to supper that he had dashed
down from London; and yet 1t scene.
as If it would be his only reward, for
when he reached the supper room he
found that the only seats vacant were
at the ED OF the long table. ana that
Norah was far away from him at I've
upper end
The meal appeared to Cyril to
stretch into eternity; but Lady Tres.
sington rose at last, and he took her
back to the ball room.
Now you have done your du.y,
Mr. burne. don't let me keep you.
said Lady Tressington settling her
self in the chair she had occupied
during the whole of the evening.
Can YOU tell me the time? I suppose
it will not last much longer. | have
a young daughter here somewhere.
and we must he thinking of going
Cyril looked at his watch. and tcld
her
So late" she said 1T is quite
time my glrl was in bed. VIII you bo
SO good as to find her for ME. There
she is, the one with the dark rose in
he hair"
Gym went Off, thinking with disuay
as ha went that in a short, a very