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

For days Norah scarcely IeIt IL
earl's side Paralysis does not always
destroy life; it is sometimes satisfied
with killing the brain, depriving It's
victim of tire use of his limbs, and reE-
dering him helpless and expressionless
as child.
The earl had lived life OF extreme
ouietude and care for some years past
and it came to his assistance and kept
death at bay; but he was speeches.
and almost helpless.
Gradually slight Improvement LII
in; they were able to prop him up
with pillows, and it seemed 10 Moran
that, though he could not speak, lie
understood what she said to him
she noticed, with the Improvement
in his strength, a certain change in his
manner-if. indeed, anything so mex
pressive could be called manner-to-
ward her. She found that his dim eyes
frightened slightly when she spoke to
him. and often In the night Watc' IS.
when she thought him asleep, sic
would find his eyes set on her fixedly,
as If he were trying to remember or
say something
She would have loved her father
with ell a daughters love from tie
first moment of her homecoming; IN
deed. she had loved him though he had
done his best to freeze all tenderness
within her; but now that he was
thrown upon her care the treasures nj
love and tenderness IN her heart
welled out toward him, and she loved
MIN as only a woman can love the be
ing who is dependent upon her.
The nurse and doctor, who had
looked upon her as just fashionable
and perhaps spoiled beauty, were in
yardIy astonished at her devotion,
and the doctor declared that it wa
not he, but Lady Norah, who kept
life going in the feeble, stricken
frame
Guilford Berton remained in the
house, and, as of ole, transacted all
business for the earl.
Every now and then he paid a visit
to the sickroom, and stood beside the
bed murmuring words of comfort to
the old man; and at such times the
earl fixed his eyes upon him with a
strange look which Norah could not
interpret; but he never attempted to
speak, and showed neither pleasure
nor Impotence at his young friends"
visits.
Mr. Petherick had been sent Tor di-
rectly the improvement set H. and
tried to awaken CLEAN Of intelii-
gence in the old man, but failed. The
earl looked at him with the same "a,
cant, fixed stare, but displayed no rec
ignition.
This is very sad for you, NY dear"
said the old lawyer to Moran, his eyes
blinking behind his glasses, as he look
ed at the lovely face so pale and pa
tient, and recalled the young girl who
came so brightly into the sitting-roorn
of the Devonshire cottage Il am
afraid you will knock yourself up
They tel me that you scarcely take
any rest"
ooh, but do, and this is not hard
work sitting here"
The hardest can imagine for a
young girl so fond of open air as you
are" he said, shaking his head ut is
great responsibility. I wish the
young viscount were here he added.
gravely.
Can he not be found?" asked Norah.
She had heard great deal of this
nephew of the earl. this young man
who would be the next ear'-perhaps
so soon land master of Santlei On
Court. 1T seems so strange his keep
ing in hiding all this time Surely re
must see the account of papa's Illness
in the papers
Yes. he would If he were in Eng
land said Mr. Petherick. thought
fully But I'm afraid he is not, You
see, he is most extraordinarily er-
ratio young man. and unless he
chooses TO come forward and declare
himself. I'm afraid we shall not find
him"
At this moment Guilford Berton en-
tered the room.
You are speaking of the viscount?"
he said, in low voice. Every Ell
fort is being made to find him, Mr..
Petherick"
Have you advertised in the news
papers?"
Well, no. Not yet. / scarcely
you see, the earl may recover mean
sufficiently to be conscious of what is
going on. and / fancy-indeed am
sure-that he would be extremely
angry If we took that step"
Mr. Petherick shook his head.
Besides" said Berton Il am GER
tain LORD Santleigh is not in Englan1.
and unless we know to what part of
the world he has betaken himself, We
can scarcely ADVERTISE
Mr.. Petheriek was still afraid of the
earl, and he shrank from taking the re-
sponsibilty of advising such a public
hue and cry
perhaps We had better wait little
longer. That is an extremely sensible
young man" he remarked to Norah as
Berton eft the room. y don't think
I ever met a clearer head for business.
and he appears to have been very
kind and-attentive.
"oh, yes" assented Norah. trying 10