Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-08

y
with men when they are nearly moved
to tears. Standing there looking a.
the wreck before him, he forgot the
many sights and snubs he had endur-
ed at the hands of "the stIperfine earl, -
and recalled only the best side of his
nature.l
"A most just and upright man, the
earl your father. my dear" he said
with a suspicious falter in his pipy
voice. ct distresses me more than
can say to see him in this condition. .
And he went mis- way. as sadly re-
gretful as if the earl had been the
sweetest tempered Of men and the
mildest of clients.
When a fortnight had passed Norai
noticed certain vague restlessness in
| the earl's glance.
TT is something he wants." she said
to the doctor, with tears in her eyes.
And cannot think what it is. though
! 7 try for hours at time. Do you
think he wants to get back to the
Court?"
1T is possible" replied Sir Andrew
at any rate, the change may do him
no harm; indeed, it may benefit him.
Try it. Lady Norah-that is, If ylu
wish to-
Now, Norah did not wish to get back
very much, though she could scarcely
have told why 1t certainly would
seem as if it could matter very little
to he whether she sat in a chair be-
side His 5cI in Park Lane or SAINT
leigh Court; she would not acknowl-
edge to herself the true reason-that
at Santleigh Court she would not have
to live in the same house with Mr.
Guilford Berton.
He had been very kind, as devoted
to the earl and herself as a man
could be, and yet, She knew
that he never entered the room but
that chill swept over her, that she
could scarcely meet the glance of his
dark, somber eyes without showing
the repugnance which his presence
awoke in her.
Lady Ferndale was strongly in favor
of the removal to the Court.
London is the worst place in the
world to be i'll in, dear" she said;
"and I'm thinking of yourself. too.
You will be able to get out into the
garden. and on the terrace. oh. yes,
let us take him back Poor, poor old
man! / used to laugh at his proud
naughty, King George airs; wish
he'd let me lau Oh at him now!" And
her eyes filed with tears; not so
much for the earl as for her dear girl
as she called Nofeh.
Mr.. Guilford Berton, as usual, took
charge of all the arrangements; got
the invalid carriage in readiness at
Santleigh station, ;nd behaved, as
Lady Ferndale said as il he were the
Iearl's son.
Really. dear" she said to Norah,
"Guilford Berton has behaved wonder
fully, and he fills me with shame AMI
remorse. Not one man in a thousand
would have done what he has done, or
have done 1t in a better manner. H.
makes no fuss over anything. however
much trouble it may give him. won
der he hasn't INSISTED upon sitting up
with the es.rll"
HE has. but that was my place,
Lady Fern iale, and 1 could not resign
it to any 1ne, not even to Mr.. Gull
ford Berton''
The change frUIl Park Lane to the
Court did the earl neither good nor
harm. but as Norah stepped out on
the balcony on the evening of their RI
turn she drew deep breath of thank
fulness and relief and tried to per-
suade herself that it was because of
her fondness for the grand old place
that she was so glad to get back
AS she stood leaning on ti1s> stone
rail and looking sadly ard wistfully
across the velvety lawns to The woods
over which the autumn mist was gath
ering in a thin veillike cloud, Gull
ford Berton came out and stood be-
side her
Il have come to say goodnight" he
said
You-you are going homer" said No
rah. will you not remain the night?'
she added as cordially as she could.
Thank you. no. I don't think
shall be needed; indeed, you will not
allow me to help you. But II SHOULD
be. you win send mess" sc to the CO..
tage, will you not?"
yes, WILL responded Norah, and
her tone was more genial than usual
for she could not help remembering
all he had done for the earl and her,
self. Il should like to try and thank
you, Mr.. Berton."
Please do not. I have done so lit
tie"
You have done a great deal-evory-
/ thing put In Norah
so little compared with what
should like to have done!"
When my father Is well he will be
able to thank you better than | can,
said Norah.
He cannot thank me half so we'll
even il l deserved or desired thanks
/ One word from you Lady Norah, out
! weighs q world of gratitude, and
would repay me for the sacrifice Ci
Inv life"