Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-09-11


suffer. She refuses even TO mention
it again; and | am free-free to lay
my heart at the feet of the only one
I ever can love Have you no word
for me, Hilda?'
rs She lis Barbara unhappy" she
asked gently.
do not let that shadow stand be-
tween u.s." cried Lord Bayneham
"l1ilda, if were to pray as man has
never prayed before, Miss Earle
would not deign to listen to me. If
she we're here she would plead for
me. Oh Hilda, can it be that am
mistaken-that you do not care for
me?"
She turned her face to him, and he
read his answer there.
While the fair flowers bloomed
around them, sending a thousand
sweet and fragrant messages, he told
her that same sweet old story that
the world has heard so long, and
never wearied of; the same story of
love, and youth, and hope; of love
that was to be eternal, ali-enduring,
stronger than death The words rang
to the familiar, ever beautiful
chime Their music was new to
the young girl, who listened, and
thought she must be in Fairyland.
81 do not think, Hilda," he said
his voice trembled with eagerness-
that 1 could bear my life without
you. could endure all things with
you by my side, without you life
would be one long dreary blank"
The time came when Lord Bayne-
ham remembered the words as a
death-knell. One such hour comes in
every life perfect in it's love and hap
piness without cloud, shade, or fear,
it came to them; and when the light
of the conservatory grew dim, and
the fragrant blossoms shown but
family in the evening cleaning,
Hilda had promised to be Lord bayne-
hams wife.
Your life shall be just as the life
of one of these flowers" said Ulaud
mo shadow, no storm shall come near
you. / shall have but one care, and
that will be your happiness; and in
return for all my devotion, will you
give me a little love, Hilda?'
"A little" she said, wondering If
he knew how much little meant
You will be happy at Bayneham.'
he continued. .ay mother is sure
to love you very dearly, Hilda,-she
loves me so much. | have won my
treasure now, and l am impatient to
call it mine. when shall l see Lady
Hutton? Before the spring blossoms
come again, promise to be my wife,
darling"
But that Hilda would not do. In
her gentle child-like heart there was
a gracious sweet dignity-all her
own. He had won enough; she
would promise. no more. He loved
her but the more for the pretty coy
words that fell so softly from her lips.
Il shall come to see Lady Hutton to
morrow he said, half inquiringly.
Not tomorrow" she replied
Mama will be busy with the agent.
Let me have that one day % realize my
happiness and to dream"
1t shall be So" replied Claud.
In alter years Hilda wondered what
her fate would have been if he had
seen Lady Hutton as he wished.
Now, before l CO." said Lord Bay
neham, grant me one favor. You
gave me blue-bell that May morning;
give me now one of those white lilies.
shall know then in the morning
that my happiness is real, not a
dream
She gave him what he asked, and
the time came when those two with
cred flowers were more precious to
the young earl than all the world be-
sides. AS he was leaving the house
he heard bell ring violently, and
half wondered who it could be ring
ing in such hot haste.
Tell Lord Bayneham as soon as
he returns, that | wish to see him
particularly | shall be in my own
room
So said Lady Bayneham, in her
coolest voice, intended for Barbara S
benefit. She had not vouchsafed one
word to the young girl herself, choos-
ing to consider her in a state of re-
bellion.
Glands face did not express any
rapturous delight when the obedient
domestic delivered her Iadyship's mes
sage He loved his mother dearly;
/ he had the deepest respect and ad-
miratiUn for her beauty and talents,
her grace and dignity; she was his
complete ideal of British peeress,
but if the truth must be told, the
young earl held his mother in whole
some awe. He feared nothing upon
earth, no danger ever awed him, no
fear ever daunted him; but he could
not face his mother when he had Of
Tended or displeased her.
One more battle" he lnurmured to
himself then all will be plain. sail
ing, But Lady Baypeham's greeting
astounded him.
My dear boy" she cried, my poor
Claud, what does all this mean?'
All what mother?" he asked
briefly
I