Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-08-07

girl, beautiful as fairy vision, came
tripping down the path.
Stephen Hurst saw her with thrill
of delight. He had been idle and list
less; here was something to do. Here
vas beautiful young face. pure,
sweet, and happy; he could teach
1t to love. All that he said to himself
as the girl drew near She did not
perceive him until he, 20 attract her
attention, spoke. Then Magdalen
Burn raised her. eyes to his face, and
in the one look met her fate. He
asked some idle question as to the
nearest way to the Hall, and she re-
piled. Then gradually he drew from
her her name, and her simple little
history. Nothing could be better, he
said to himself There was no one
to interfere while he remained at this
dull place; it would be magnificent
resource to be able to meet this beau
tiful, simple girl out in the bonnie
woods of Brynmar. He never cal
eulated or Donald Burns strength of
arm or strength Of will.
Lord Hutton could not imagine how
it happened that Stephen Hurst who
used to complain the whole day long
of the dullness of the place, and
every one in it, suddenly grew at
tached to it, and absolutely tried to
persuade him to prolong his stay.
Brynmar woods could have told him
why There was no day passed that
Stephen Hurst did not meet Magdalen
under the shade of their tall trees.
What need to tell the story? He
wooed, as idle men do WOO, when they
have no other occupation; and she
learned to love as the young and hap
py love when they are so wooed She
thought him a king amongst men.
No one was so handsome, so brave, so
kindly. He was like one of the
knights of old Who else spoke so
gently and unsteady! What voice,
what face was like his? She never
thought of herelf; she never asked
herself if it were wrong or foolish to
spend long hours in these summer
woods, listening to the sweetest and
falsest words that ever fell from false
lips. How true he seem1o. how
noble, how good! What had she done
that this great happiness should come
to her, the priceless love of this great
est and noblast of men?
Poor Magdalen did she ever see
him as he was--handsome, with
9 coarse, animal beauty, selfish, coward
ly, and ungenerous? Never, until the
time came when all things were made
clear to her eyes. The golden veil
of romance had fallen over him; he
was a hero, a knight. He loved her,
and what could she do to show her
gratitude for so priceless a treasure
as this love? So, while the warm,
bright summer days lasted she met
him under the shade of the tall green
trees, and she learned to love him as
women love once in life, and can
never love again
How it would have ended no one
can tell; but one morning, while the
dew still lay upon flower and leaf,
Magdalen went out to meet her lover.
They walked for some long time up
and down the broad path, forgetting
everything save themselves and their
own happiness, when all at once the
keeper white with rage, stood before
them
$50" said he, slowly, "this is it!
have always said that fatal beauty
would prove curse. Go home, Mag
dalen leave your lover with me
Stay, do not let me be rash Is he
your lover? Does he profess to love
you?"
HE does love me, said Magdalen,
proudly; "and I-oh father, do not be
angry love him"
She spoge bravely. although tremb-
ling with fear
4 am not angry, child" said the
keeper, gently. go home--I will set
tie this"
"You viii not hurt him, father"
pleaded Magdalen.
Il viii not disturb even one of his
well-arranged curls.' said the keeper
grimly. Leave him to me-"
Magdaien fastened away. and the
two men gazed fixedly at each other.
Stephen Hurst did not quite like the
strong hands that trembled with
eagerness. He was coward at
heart, but thought in this case there
was nothing much to fear.
We'll, my friend he said, insolent-
ly, don't act the virtuous peasant. l
have seen that kind of thing so often
on the stage that am tired of it."
Il tell you what you never saw
upon the STAGE" said the keeper.
you never saw a father who meant
to lash his daughters lover like a
whipped hound unless he did justice
to her"
There was something in the hot,
angry eyes that glowed upon him, and
in the low kissing voice. that shook
stephen Hurst's craven heart.
Do not let us make any error" he
said, hastily; your daughter is a
beautiful girl, and pure as an angel. |
would not utter one word derogatory
to her to save my life"