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

despc1 ately, as If he saw that he HAD
lost her forever, but that it was use
less to try and recall his words. Il
love you. Lady Norah! love you!
Don't speak to me yeti You are
angry, offended l have behaved
badly! ought not to have said it!
But
A sound broke the silence OF the
night. 1t was the opening of the great
door. He stopped, and Norah, with
a start, looked toward the house
Two figures stood plainly revealed
aginst the light in the hall.
Cyril raised his head and passed
his hand over his forehead.
Lady Norah, don't cast me OF IN
Ill you have seen me, heard me
He could say no more.
They bad gone up the steps, and
stood before the earl and GuiIford Ber-
ton.
Guilford Berton darted 4 dark look
from under his brows at each OF them
in turn, then dropped his eyes ana
stood with tightly-drawn lips in sin
ster silence. The earl regarded them
with naughty surprise on his cold
face, and in tone Of Ice, disregard
ing his daughters presnce. said:
Mr.. Burnel To what do l owe the
pleasure Of this visit?''
"Papa!" she said, hurriedly, there
has been an accident! Lady Fern
dale's horses ran away and the Jar
riage was upset, and Mr.. Burpe--''
she stopped moment for breath, Mr..
Burne stopped the horses at great
peril"
The earl calmly took her hand and
removed it from his arm.
Excuse me- he said, eoldAs. do
I understand that Mr.. Burne has rea-
dered you service?"
Yes. yes, she said, Mr.. Burne
stopped the horses-the two great
horses Stink, papa!-and," her voice
grew lower, and was meant for his
ear alone, and he is hurt!"
That Mr.. Burne is hurt very
much regret" he said. stifiy, and
trust that the injury is not a serious
one. Where did yOu-er-leave the
carriage; do not see it?"
The carriage Is a wreck, papa. We
left 1t in the lane.
And you have taxed Mr. Burne's
kindness to the extent Of accompany
ing you heme!" said the earl, in
tone of rebuke intended as much for
Cyril as for herself Why did you
not send one Of the servants here for
earriage?"
Il did not think-there was no
time! Oh. papa. are yeu not going to
thank him for all he has done?"
81 trust Mr.. Burne will do me the
justice to acknowledge that l have at
tempted to thank him In my poor
way"
No thanks are needed. my lord, :"
said Cyril, quietly. Il am AFRAID
Lady Norah puts far too high a value
on the poor service was fortunate
to render her. was lucky enough to
be passing at the moment of the &C
cident, that Is all. I trust Lady Norah
is not hurt 1t was / who should
have thought of sending for car
rage, but there we're difficulties In the
way. sent one man with the horses
and the other was left with the car.
riage wish you goodnight, my
lord Goodnight. Lady Norah." ard
he raised his hat.
Norah stood, her face white and red
by turns; her fathers GOODNESS and
hauteur filed her with shame; she
was tlngling from head to foot.
Papa. papa!" she murmured, al
most piteously.
VIII you not step in, Mr. Burne!"
said the earl.
NO thank you, nay lord"
Thank you. thank you, thank you!'
she said, slowly, her large eyes full OF
emotion, as II she meant to make up
for her fathers shortcomings.
Cyril took her hand and pressed It,
and with bow that included the earl
and Guilford Berton, turned and went
down the steps. The great door
closed behind him. He walked down
the drive nearly to the lodge, then
stopped suddenly and sat down.
He had ignored and made light Of
his hurts while Norah had been with
him, but now the pain In his arm was
50 acute that he felt giddy and sick
from It,
He leaned against the smooth-shav-
en- bank OF turf, and tried to feel the
injured limb, but he could scarcely
bear the touch of his own fingers.
Was bs going to be idiot enough TO
faint he thought? Angry at the idea
he struggled to his feet, thinking he
would reach the lodge and ask for a
glass OF water; bat the lodge and. the
trees and the sky executed a peculiar
kind Of dance before his eye, and he
fell back on the bank.
He had lain there in delicious IN
consciousness for a couple of minutes,
when Becca Smith came through the
gate. She was walking with a light.
careful step as If she wished to avoid
attracting the attention of the people
at the lodge, and her pink dress fitted
like an overgrown moth against the
dark trees.
She saw Cyril. and stopped with =.
little cry of alarm then cautious q