Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-30

lease than some of the others. He mad
dearly loved Lady Hutton's ward. and
liner marriage with Lord Bayneham
had been a bitter blow to him. Not
that he thought himself worthy of her,
or that she ever gave him any eneour-
Iagement. He loved her hopelessly
and humbly. There were times when
he raved against fortune and fate,
wishing he were anything but a brave
lcaptain, with nothing but an honorable
name to recommend him. After
Hilda's marriage he left London, and
had just returned to make arrange
ments for leaving England on mission
of some importance.
i Then Lord Bayneham met him, and
greeted him warmly, pressing him to
waive all cermony, and dine with him.
i Captain Massey was sorely puzzled.
He longed to gaze again upon the fair
young face that had been the one star
of his hope and love; he longed to see
her in her own home, surrounded by
luxury and love. Then he could take
the picture into exile with him, think
of it when he felt dull and lonely. So
he yielded, and went to dinner, looking
with sad eyes upon the one face that
had been all the world to him. She
welcomed him warmly and kindly, her
little white hands outstretched to meet
his. There was no thought of love or
: lovers in that pure, guileless heart.
She had never known that he cared
/ for her.
! And this man, who had loved the
, fair young girl so deeply and hope
!, lessly, saw what others had never
t noticed. I-e read the expression OF
that face and those clear true eyes
) more correctly than did those who
lived with her. She was even more
I beautiful than before her marriage
2 but the beauty was changed. The
first fresh flush of youth and happiness
I had died out of it, never to return
b He saw something of constrafnt in the
! smiles that had once seemed ever to
= Iinger round her lips. He noticed that
when she was neither speaking mol
j listening, an expression Of deer
D thoughtfulness came over her, and
d then Captain Massey said to himself
: that the woman he loved either had
a secret, or was not happy, he could
4 not tell which.
Ell Barbara" said BERTHE Carlyon tc
S Miss Earle, you are very cruel to
S Ime."
e She opened her eyes in wellacted
i lsurprise. Five times" said he, have
Ii. presuming on your half-consent
: written to you; and never one word
: have you vouchsafed in reply VIII
Iyou never write to me??"
i, Yes" she replied; "if your maiden
n speech should he good one l viii
!. write note of congratulation."
: And if / fail-remember, / cannot
:, control circumstances-and do moi
] either make a speech or secure ny
, seat, what shall you do then, Barbara
throw me overheard altogether"
: No. said Miss Earle, slowly; ''iI
u that case l should-"She paused and
$ half turned her face from him
q You would-what?" he cried, i'm
i patiently; don't torture me, Barbara.
1 Il should most probably write you a
u long kind letter, bidding you take cour
: age and never despair"
e Would you really do that?" he said
his face flushing with uncomfortable
), emotion. that would mean a great
e deal coming from you"
{ You know my belief" said Miss
Earle; talent and perseverance must
J, win--no combinations of circumstan
8 Ices can resist them. You have it in
you to persevere and win, despite all
obstacles"
= Thanks to you. Barbara" he re
piled; you aroused me from a boys
folly to a mans deeds, and shall owe
= all to you. l wonder if you will ever
, honor me by wearing that little golden
apple you deigned to accept?" he
added, smiling ut was made ex
pressly to Re worn amongst those my
, sterious affairs which ladies cal
charms and suspend to their chains
Miss Earle made no reply, and Der
tie was forced to be content with the
j., COHCeSSlOuS dlTedQy maze.
'Hilda," said Lord Bayneham that
evening to his wife, I'VE must be more
careful this time than we we're last
winter, but as you are SO much stron
ger and better, I thought of asking a
few friends to Bayneham-what dc
+ you say"
Are you going there?" she asked
! trying to hide the fear shown both in
+ her face and voice.
Yes" replied her husband, I'VE are
bound this time on a patriotic expedi
: ton. The safety and well-being Of the
country demand the return of a Lib.
eral member for Oulston. We hope
} BERTHE will be successful, but he will
require our aid. No bribery, mind
they are all free and independent vo
tiers; still, what you and Barbara can
do by the magic of voice and smile
: may be safely accomplished"
Does Barbara go with us?" asked
; Lady Hilda.
Yes" replied Lord Bayneham, land
my mother too. You will enjoy the
! canvassing. l must ask Berties
friend, Mr.. Fulton, and one or two
, more. You do not smile. Hilda; do
you not like the prospect?"