Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-27
Continued

Ddair for me this mySIeIy-uoH CdnAS
your bracelet, the one you should
have valued for my sake, to be
lying in the Lady's Walk?'
Then the calm of that sorrowful
young face was broken; culver OF
pain passed over each feature; a
look of despair Swallowed the violet
eyes; but Lady Hilda allowed the
anxious, eager man to repeat his
question before she seemed to I'M
derstand 1t.
Spare me, Claud." she said, hold
ing out her hands to him.
Spare sou, Hilda!" he cried.
what ear you mean?- spare you!
What have l ever done that you
should speak so to me? Would /
not spare you every sorrow If I
could? only ask to shield you
from all care, to make you happy,
and make you love me as love you.
What am / to snare youi"
ANY questions" she replied, weep
ing bitterly. 81 cannot answer them,
and they torture me-"
"You cannot think they are pleas
ant for me-" ne said. "Hilda, my
mother was with me when / founo
that bracelet. I read a doubt of you
In her eyes it made me indignant
cannot explain it. Plainly as eyes
could speak, hers said to me there
was something wrong. l Drought
her with me tn see how mistaken
she was. and you tainted with fear
at the question which should have
cleared away all silly mystery. That
was how you cleared her ooubt; can
you satisfy my love in no better man.
ner? Am | not quite right in saying
that you wore that bracelet on your
arm when | babe you goodnight last
evening? It was there, was 1t not?"
Yes" she replied. despairingly,
ait was there"
"And the first thing this morning
1 found It in the Lady's Walk" he
continued; yet you have never left
your room. Can you not explain.
how it came to be there?"
81 might tell you falsehood." she
cried,-'T might invent false stories
that would satisfy you,-but will
not do so: let Fate do ner worst
No untrue words shall stain my lips.
I canot tell you the truth, and scorn
ell evasion"
Lord Bayneham's face grew dark
as he listened.
More mysteries" he said bitterly.
You acknowledge them you could
explain It if you would, but win not. "
Lady Hilda bowed her head, and
he turned from the sight of that
white. despairing face.
Are you trying to shield any one
who has robbed your" he asked, his
eyes growing bright at the thought.
No." she replied, mo one has tried
to rob me-"
did you drop the bracelet your
self?" he inquired.
do not ash me. Claud!" she cried.
with clasped hands, her face stream
ing with tears.
land will know What nonsense!
what folly! One might fancy I
was husband in French play, try
ing to fathom an intrigue Did you
drop the bracelet yourself, HiTda?-
you force me to speak angrily,
wer me-"
Il have told you cannot answer
you" she replied, with a tone Of
keen, sharp pain in her voice, that
changed its music. Il scorne to
speak untruly. I cannot answer you
Fate must do its worst"
There was despair in her face and
voice,-despair so deep, so hopeless,
and Lord Bayneham knew not what
to say M think
Daring" he said, gently. "De
candid with me. Even supposing
you have dono some little action not
quiet prudent, could not be angry.
know how sweet, and gentle, and
pure my little wife is. Do not make
me so unhappy, love. Tell me what
It Isl
His gentle tone and kind face
touched her more than anger could
have done, and she laid her head
on his breast, like a wearied child who
has cried -tsalf - sleep.
"Claud," she said, gently, a cannot
tell you. wish / could die here in
your arms. while your face looks
kind and you smile on me. 1t would
be easier for me to Gle than answer
ycur questions"
Il say 1t in sorrow, not in anger,
Hilda," he replied kissing her pale
brow, that the secret you own exists,
but you refuse to tell me, / shall find
out for myself"
He upclasped her arms as he spoke,
and rising from her side he slowly
quit ed the room.
CHAPTER xxx.
Where her husband left her, Lady
Hilda sat, incapable of connected
thought, conscious only of deep, un-
utterabIe anguish, that dulled her
brain and seemed to paralyze her
mind She never remembered in
after years how the hours passed
after her father left her 1t was like
a dream of pain, full of sad and mis-
cradle pictures. The long night
brought her no rest and no calm. She
tried to pray, but her restless lips
could not be controlled. She tried to
think hut thouphf VOC ir,. oac{hla