Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-02
CHAPTER KIN.

CHAPTER XIII.
Becca. looking round swiftly, took
the watch from his pocket and looked
at it. 1t was a handsome one, with a
monogram which puzzled her and
which few persons could have olsen
tangled. She put the watch to her
ear, turned the key-Cyr.l wondered
the next day what on earth had come
to his first-class leyer.-and then put
it back in its place. AS she did So
she caught sight of a envelope in the
breast pocket of his coat. She put
her hand il and took it out, and, look
ling round again -flrily, read it by the
light of the moon There was not
much in 1t to satisfy her burning curl
osity.
Dear Cyril" it ran, I found on
getting to town that your picture,
The Reapers', was making a stir.
always todd you that it was Just bad
and tricky enough to catch the public
taste. Moses, the picture dealer, has
offered $50 for it, and I've made bold
to ask G100. and will take that sum
If l can screw him UP to it. Have you
recovered from your madness, or is
the dogstar still burning? I don't ask
you what you are doing, for know.
You are just loafng about, smoking,
dreaming, incoming, anything but
working. Oh, the brief madness
which men call lcYe! Adieu, insane
youth. Jack.
OF course Becca could not unde--
stand the latter part of the note, but
ths earlier made her prick up her ears.
The handsome gentleman was not
Ionly amusing himself by painting
pictures, but getting hundred pounds
for one!
She looked for more letters, but
could not find any; in fact, there was
nothing else to reward her search but
a faded dusty rose, which she found
between his waistcoat and his shirt,
lying upon his heart, indeed
She looked at this with a puzzled
Ifrown on her warm, classical brow,
then with a little smile put it back.
In doing so she touched his arm
and the pain caused him to come to.
His eyes opened and his lips moved,
and Becca, bending down her head,
heard him mnrmur a name:
"Norahl"
Her eyes lighted and her face
flushed She had discovered some
thing, at any rate. TINS handsome
ycyyprr 81 cra,. ryn. - H.. la l. -
beautiful mistress.
She raised his head and famed MIN
with her hat. and presently he came
round completely and eyed her ct
first with passionate look which
changed to one Of surprise.
Why, you are not" he said. Il
thought it was It's Becca South,
isn't it?"
Yes, SIR" said Decca.
Where am T. he asked confusedly
In the Court drive sir" she re-
piled. 4 found you lying here, just
as you are. Have you been lliT"
Il don't know. Oh, yes, do" he
said, wincing as he felt his arm
Yes, must have tainted, Ike a
woman" he added, with disgust. GIVE
hurt my arm. Becca.'
He struggled TO his feet and leaned
against her arm slightly, signing a
little; for you see he had been half
dreaming that Norah stood beside MIN.
and the disappointment was keen.
'Lor', sir" said Becca, how did i.
Ihappen?"
Too long a story, Becca. But I'm
all right now"
That you're not, sir; you're all of
a Jrcmble."
Yes and my head feels like lead.
Becca you need not tell any one that
you found me like this" be went on
they might think that I'd been talk.
ing too much drink"
For certain and sure they would.
LOr', sir. how sorry my mistress would
be to hear of it,"
Your mistress?"
Yes. the Lady Norah.
"L.dy Norah your mistress@ he
said. Wait a minute" and he sank
down on the bank again.
Becca, perfectly content TO remain
for many minutes if she could giean
iany further information. seated her
self beside him
As she did so a stealthy footstep
came over the grass behind them ami
Guilford Berton approached.
There was no particular reason why
he SHOULD choose the grass instead Of
the path but II was his habit to moe
about as noiselessly as possoie and
las he walked with his head hung low
land in deep thought he did not see
them until he was close upon them
| Then he pulled up and stepped 10
hind a tree
Yes sir, Lady Norah has took me
to be a hind of companion" said
Becca, with a touch Of pride.
~ see. Wen, Lady Norah viii have