Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-30

Continued.

Continued.
He had said nothing about ring;
perhaps he had forgotten all about it,
and tiff she should keep it, he would
conclude that he had lost it. 1t was
a beautiful ring, but no doubt, a gen
tlenan like Mr.. Burne did not set much
value on it
While she was looking and longing
and hesitating, Fate lent the evil one
its aid, just as it had done in the mat
ter OF GATHERINGS photograph. -'ecca
heard Mrs English's voice in the
Kitchen. She started up and tried to
pln the ring of her finger, but it
stuck fast. In a spasm Of terror, lest
she should be discovered in the room,
abe darted through the passage into
the bar, waited moment, then, sull
tugging at the ring under her apron,
passed into the road Before she had
gone twenty yards, the ring came Of,
and with a feeling of relief, she
turned, intending to replace it. But
as she neared the bar door, she stop
ped and hesitated After all, the
worst was over. She had taken the
RUG, and she might just as well keep
IT,
She slipped it into her pocket and
began to sing and, still singing,
stopped a few PAGES from the inn door.
Then she called out Mrs English"
and after a moment or two the land
lady came into the bar Becca
walked toward the door as if she bad
only that second arrived.
"Oh. Mrs English she said, MI
Burne asked me to come and tell you
to take his watch upstairs. forgot
whether he said he'd left it on the
mantelsheh or on the table, but he
said in the sitting-room."
Dear me, yes" said Mrs. English
That's just like him; he's so care
less and forgetful Some of these
days he'll loose something, and hon
est folk viii get the blame But
there, he's an artist gentleman, snJ
what can you expect?' she added,
raising her voice as she went nto the
sittins room.
rs it there all right?' cried Becca,
in her clear treble.
Yes, all right. and thank you.
Becca SMITH" called back Mrs. Eng
hsh and Becca went on her way sing
ing ike the innocent, Hght-hearted
girl she was
CHAPTER XVII.
Cyril did not buy paper, but sat
in the corner of the carriage by the
open window and thought of Ncrah
and his reverie was so pleasant amt
engrossing that he started with sur
prise when the train arrived at Pad
dington.
He was in SO great a hurry TO ger
his business done and return to sat
leigh-and Norah-that he did not get
on an omnibue as poor artist snouh,
but called a cab.
Jack Wesley's chambers were in
Winchester street, Strand, and the
first thing Cyril saw. as the cab stop
ped, was his friend head at the on u
window. he waved Jack a greeting,
and stood at the door OF the chambers
with outstretched hand
Behold he cometh, clothed in his
right mind. he said, cynically, but
with a pleasant smile
Cyril wrung his hand ana looked
into the grave, earnest face affection
ately
Yes, dear Old Jack. I've come ne
said
And in such haste that you hired
a chariot Was it the burning desire
10 reach me, or have you discovered q
gold mine in Santleign?" and lie went
back TO mis- writing table, put sat
astride his chair and leaning ms a.
bows on the back .ooked up at Cyril
with a smile.
Yes Jack, and something even bat
ter than that"
"Oh!" The monosyllable dropped
like stone. Indeed! Then you
might have spared yourself the trouble
OF rushing up on the small and con-
temptible bit of business I've got 11r
you"
Dear old jack" he said, laying his
hand on the broad shoulder and snak-
ing hiM How missed that cynical
voice of yours! Why, it seems ages
since we parted, instead of days
ages His voice softened. But tell
me all about it, what's the row old
fellow?'
Jack balanced his chair, and
stretched to the table for letter.
Here's a note from Moses he'll
buy the other picture The Silver
Stream .
Mo-" exclaimed Cyril.
Yes; and give you what you ask,
but on conditions"
'Oh, they are not hard ones. Il
seems that Lord Newall has taken a
fancy to it.
Cyril opened his eyes and nodded
Lord Newall was a we'll known patron
of art. and his approval set the sign
manual upon a picture and the paint
er VINO obtained his lordships good
word might regard himself as made.
the public in all things artistic is IKE
a flock Of sheep, and must have its
bellweather Lord Newal had but 4,
set the lead, and the sheep followed.
by Jove!" muttered Cyril. SO
Lord Newall fancied The SILVER
Stream. Well / thought there might