Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-06-12

AS she turned, she picked a brown
leaf-as dead as her past and push
ed it gently inside the bosom of her
dress; then went on her way
She had formed the vsguest of
vague plans only First came the
idea of going straight to Mr. Pether-
ick, and telling him ali that she nad
learend from Guilford Berton. After
that-well, all was dark and unfathom-
able
Perhaps the cd lawyer. who mad
always been kind to her, and especial
ly kind and gentle of late would show
her some way of gaining a living,
She thought of Lady Fendale, as she
had thought Of her many times since
the revelation. but she shrank from
going to her. It was scarcely pride
so much as innate delicacy Besides,
what had she, Norah Woodfern. to CO
now with ears and countesses. She
must put all her past life away from
her comm etely No, she would not
go to Lady Ferndale, much as she
loved her, and knew she was loved By
her
When she reached the high road
she looked round rather fearfully,
though she felt that there was no
cause for feir If Guilford Berton had
CHANGED to come upon her, she de
cided that she would not be daunteG
II necessary. she would call for help
to the first passerby. and would pr:r
claim the truth to the whole village
But Guilford Berton vas pacing up
and down his room. wrapped in an
ecStatic sense of triumph and self
satisfaction at that moment and she
slw no one but few children on her
way through The village.
She found that she had to wait
nearly an hour for a train and the
s. ton master, touching his hat re-
specially. suggested that she should
go inside the booking office and [
by the fire
It's not SO draughty as the waiting
room, my lady" he said And the
my lady" brought the co'or to No
rah's face as she thanked him.
May | ask il you have heard any
thing about becca South my LADY," he
said as he brought rug for her teet
Norah looked up with a start.
4 No" she said
All" he remarked with a smile.
NO news is good news. my lady I
dare say the girl is happy enough up ir
London there SantIeigh was too
quiet for a lively one like her But
still, it was very ungrateful OF her moi
to write after all YOUR hdvship's kind
ness 10 her"
Norah murmured an inaUdible r.
Spouse, and to her relief. he went
about his bushes and left her alone
The train came up. and the station
master put her into a carriage and
got her a footwarmer. She had deerl
ed it best to take a first-cIass ticket
to avoid attracting the attention MI
remark which would have been caused
by her asking for a third. and she
drew back behind the curtains aud out
Of sight until the train had started
It was an express, and feeling very
weary in that state which the rea =
tiOn from intense excitement and emo
ton produces, she got a porter TO call
a cab and told the man to drive 70
Mr. Petherick's office.
As the cab stopped she saw, TO her
dismay, that the Office was closed.
She had not taken the important
question of time into her cOusidera-
ton, ara she sal and looked at the
draw blinds and closed door in a sort
Of stupor
But as she sat asking herself what
she should do next, the door opened
and a clerk came out
He was an old man who han oucp cI
twice been Town to the Court on bust
ness conneo ted with the estate; and
ne came forward hat in hand ana
with surprise stamped On mis- wrinklef
face. as Norah caIad to him
Mr. Petherick nv lady" he sad
HE is not n London"
NorGh's heart sank IKE lead
Not in Lcndon," she repeated, and
, her voice tremhled
NO, my lady He's gone to the
, Continent 7 think that he has got
some kind of clue to the viscount s
I mean Lord rrowdala's-where
abouts and he has gone t. try and fol
low it up I'm very sorry" he added
as he saw the dismav and disappoint
ment in the lovely face rs there
anything can do my LADY,"
Norlh shook her head. What coulC
he do? What could she do?
I don't even know Mr.. Petherick'>
address" ne said, after a pause 'ol
I'd telegraph to him. If IT'S important
business"
1T is. il is" said Norah
II there is anything | can do
But Norah shook her head as she
. tried 10 thank him
II must 90 to hotel" she said,
flintly Can YOU tell me"
'Yoar iadyship's house in Park
lane. yentured the old man rather
surprised
Norah's face crtmsoued. and then
went pale She was no longer your
ladyship. aud she had no house in
Park Lane or elsewhere.
IL should prefer a hotel she