Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-20

home by the time We get there.
Where shall we go first? To her
grandfather cottage, suppose?" said
Norah. You win see we shall find
her there"
They reached the cottage, and HaT-
man got out of the phaeton. She was
away scarcely two minutes. and re-
turned shaking her head.
She's not come home, my lacy"
she said, in a low voice.
Norah did not know what to do
next, and as she sat holding the rest
less ponies, perplexed and undecided,
Guildford Berton turned the corner Of
the lane in front of them and came
toward them.
He was coming along with his eyes
downcast as usual, and did not see
them until he was almost close upon
the ponies; then he started slightly
and looked up, and Norah noticed that
he looked rather paler than usual,
and haggard; but his face cleared and
frightened as he recognized her. and
The came up with a smile as he raised
his hat.
'Good-morning. Lady Norah," he
said, brightly. am so glad to see
you out; l was afraid you would be
quite exhausted. What a lovely
morning." and he nodded smilingly
at Harman. who dropped a courtesy.
rode over 70 Ferndale this morn
ing" he said, to ask after you. l do
hope your headache has vanished"
THAN. you, yes" replied Norah,
gravely, and trying to decide whether
she should tell him of her quest; but,
as If he had OWNED her INDIGESTION he
said quietly:
Is anything the matter, Lady
Norah?"
Norah forced a smile, but avoided
his eyes.
Well. yes she said. we are look
ing for Becca South, Mr.. Berton."
His eyes did not quail, and not
muscle of his face WINGED as, still
smiling, he said:
Not a very difficult search, is it?
Your maid is very well known, is she
not?"
Yes, said Norah. con5trainedly, for
she felt that he was thinking Of last
night. and the scene between Cyril
and Becca, and that makes # difficult.
Harman-her aunt-is afraid that she
did not return to Santleigh last night
Mo-" he responded, raising his
brows. But there is nothing very
alarming in that, is there, Mrs. Har-
man? She may have stayed at Fern
dale
'Oh. we have thought Of that said
Norah. almost impatientIy Guildford
Berton's presence made the affair still
more distasteful to her. and she began
to regret that she had not sent Har-
man alone to make inquiries.
OF course, he said, forgive me;
but the last person on the scene
always makes suggestions which have
occurred to others at the beginning.
When did You see her last. Mrs. Har-
MANI"
When she started for the fete,
/ Sit. AGBiiC0 mai AIdAls diLllOcL l4AAnuiO4s
"Ah, yes" he murmured, glancing
at Norah. who sat looking straight in
front of her. of course. You
were not there yourself Mrs. Hartman?
Well don't look so anxious; have
no doubt we shall soon find your niece.
/ Let me SEE He seemed to con
slider for a moment or two Why
Yes, of course, the thing to do is to
find out the person who saw her last.
No doubt some one left the fete and
walked home with her
| He made the suggestion so cheerful
Ily and encouragingly that Hartman
gave him grateful look from her
anxious eyes, I
win help you to find her" he
said Then he turned to Norah:
Pray don't trouble about it, Lady
Norah am sure there is no need
for anxiety I will make some IN
quiries of the people who were at the
fete yesterday The girl is Well known
and I dare say dozens of her friends
know where she is"
Norah inclined her head with con
strained Thank you" and turned the
ponies, but walked them slowly. and
he kept by the side with his hand
resting on the phaeton
The village street, usually so sleepy
and inert. was alive with groups who
looked at the Court carriage, and
discussed the one topic of the day
the disappearance of Becca They
guessed from Harman's accompanying
her that Norah was looking for the
missing girl, and as they touched their
caps and courtesyed and and another
expressed their approval.
Her ladysh'ps got a tender heart. ~
said oEe old woman. She's one o.
the first to be after the girl. And
there's Mr.. Berton. too. I'll be bound
he'll find her if any one cant"
Norah looked at the people with the
same half absent, half troubled ex-
Ipression. The vague, indefnabc
fear of presentiment was weighing
upon her more heavily each minute.
suddenly she pulled up the ponies.
There are some girls-those stand.
ling outside the inn-whom I saw at