Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-13


Ito nv question. -en-when are you
fgoing to marry me, Mr.. --erton?' and
she eyed him with curious look, half
ldefant, half determined.
You're in a great hurry Becea and
so am [ but for both our sakes
should have liked to put it off a little
longer but as you are in such
hurry"
That S. enough Don't trouble to
Itell me any more liesi You don't
mean to marry me. Mr.. Berton, and ii
you did | wouldn't marry you!"
He was startled out Of his affected
composure.
No! 1 might have done SO once.
I'd have done so now if you'd met me
fair and honest tonight; but you ain t
fair or honest | know what you are
now, You speak against Mr.. Cyril!
You! He's a gentleman, while YOU
you are only a sham! | know you
now, and-and ! wouldn't marry you
if you went down on your knees to
me-"
| Her voice broke and she pressed her
clinchcd hand against her bosom to
still the beating of her heart, and lie
watched her with close attention. as
keeper watches some furious animal.
But you shan't marry Lady Moran
you shan't come between her Cyril and
lherl You shan't do that"
What will you do my little
Becca?"
What will do?" she repeated.
I'm go to her tomorrow-yes, toner
rowland I'll tell ner how you've
served me as you liked and treat me
like dirt, and get rid of me when you
pleased. and that I'd hear it, and do
nothing she laughed, harshly But
you can't Mr., Berton Lady Moral
an, and his lordship-and everybody
shall know how you've treated ne,
and tomorrow, if I'm alive."
She drew her shawl around her with
shaking hands and moved toward the
| door
Guilford Berton's face had gradualls
gone paler and paler during her pas
sionate outburst; but the smile still re
lmained-a CHASTITY mockery Of a smile
on his tightly compressed lips.
With laugh ne got up from the ia,
BILE, and stretched himself, still watch
ing her from beneath his half-closed
lids.
We'll you've worked yourself into
a nice temper, Becca," he said. "You
silly child, you'll be sorry for it long
before you get home Come nov-let
US make friends and talk senslGly.
! Well be married as soon as you like;
Wen go away together tomorrow tc
some pretty place, and be married OH
the quiet"
Its too late" she said sunenly 4
don't want to marry you. wouldn't
if you went down on your knees and
begged NE to-"
And you'll cry the whole business
over the place tomorrow" he asked
with a smile. "Oh Becca,"
Yes" she responded. doggedly,
III tell Lady Moral crerything the
moment l see her"
You mean it Becca? You mean
to make a scandal Of our little love
| affair"
She put her hand upon the door,
and vouchsafed no reply.
Well he said. Il don't know why
I should care After all, perhaps
he went on talking incoherently to
gain time as he approached her
after all-here. you have dropped
your handkerchief Becca."
She turned and saw that he had
wound his handkerchief over his own
mouth, and as she stood wondering,
half fearfully at his action, he
sprang upon her clipped her arms
with one hand, and held the phila to
her face.
One cry and that only a faint
gasping one rose from her lips, then
her head fell forward and she slipped
limp and helpless to the ground.
Guilford Berton. after a glance at
ner let her re as she had fallen, un-
til he had carefully recorked the
phila and put 1t in his pocket; then
he slowly removed the handkerchief
from his mouth and bent over her.
Almost instantane o,s" he NUT.
tered, with grim smile; "a wonder
full discovery. Now, my good Becca,
just let US have Mr. Cyril Burne's
letter
He took it from her dress, and.
leaving her lying on the ground as If
she were no consideration whatso-
ever he carried the letter to the Ian
tern and read it.
Gone for months, perhaps," he
mutterred What chance for me!
Leaves the field open for montns.
What could not do In that time if
if could keep her from hearing
from him. and silence this silly little
fool Heaven and earth what a
chance
He stood with the letter in his
hand for minute or two staring be.
fore him, then ne put it in his pocket,
and almost with a start, as if he had
forgotten the presence Of the I'M
| conscious girl turned aud knelt down
! beside her
Almost time she came TO-" he
mutt cred "and when she docs rho