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

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she tormented herself with the
though that after all, perhaps, she
had better have remained at Ferndale'
as Cyril might call in the afternoon.
When she had reached home her
first question was whether any letters
had come for her.
There were no letters for her lady
ship. the butler replied, and Moran
was going up tc her room with
dee, n sinking of the heart, when the
earl anne cat of tho library.
w y NJrah, ne said, making her
"a littl bow, you have got back. |
am afr. d you have tired yourself with
your exertions," he added, as he noted
her paleness and lassitude. 1t must
have been a terribly trying day The
few hours / was there exhausted me"
Il think I am a little tired, papa,
she said.
he looked at her with something al
most like pride in his eyes, for her
popularity, and the admiration she had
received had fattered his vanity.
You had better go and lie down
for a few hours" he said, in a more
kindly tone than usual. Il will send
you a glass of wine"
Norah was in the condition to be
moved by any show of tenderness.
especially from him, and her eyes
filled with tears. as she went up the
stairs
While she was taking off her out
door things Hartman entered, and in
her quiet way came to her assistance
Norah did not notice that Hartman
had not spoken to her as she en-
tered. or that she was more silent
even than usual, and happening to
glance at her, she was startled by the
expression of the woman's face. She
looked as if Sc were in some trouble
and had been crying, and Norah
turned to her with ready sympathy.
what is the matter, Harman?' she
asked.
The womans face quivered, and
she dropped her eyes, but she replied
in a low voice:
Nothing. my lady
Norah did not like to seem obtru
sive, and she waited until Hartman was
on the point of leaving the room be
fore she spoke again.
I'm afraid you have one of your
bad heada thes, she said. Never
mind about my things, for Hartman
had some dresses on her arm. Go
and lie down in your own room, and
if want any one I will send for
Becoa.
The name left her lips reluctantly,
and her color rose as she pronounced
it. for ever since last night she had
been regretting the impulse which led
her to have anything to do with the
girl
"Becca my LADY, began Har-
man and Norah saw that she turned
even paler than before and had some
difficulty in depressing her tears,
Becca is not here IBIS morning, my
lady"
Not here said Norah. coldly; II
suppose she is tired after last nights
gayety 1t does not matter shall
not want her and please do not send
for her"
Moo, my lady" said Hartman, al
most lnaudibly; then she seemed 20
linger and hesitate, and at last she
said. TREMENDOUSLY your ladyship
hasn't heard, them
Heard what? asked Norah.
II beg your ladyship's pardon
thought you had heard
Il hay, heard nothing" said Norah
the indefnahle dread growing more
distinct. rs it anything about Becca,
Harman?'
Yes, my lady; Becca is lost"
Norah stared at her in silent aston
ishment for a second or two; then
she echoed the words in amazement,
Becca LOST What do you mean
, Harman?"
Il beg your ladyship's pardon for
troubling you" said poor Hartman,
humbly. I shouldn't have mentioned
! it just ret while Tiff your lady.
ship hadn't spoken about her; but
Becca has disappeared, my lady"
| Dc you mean to say that Becca is
not to be found?"
Yes. my lady"
/ She is not in the Court. and she is
not at home with her grandfather and
/ | have sent to look for her all over
/ the village; but she cannot be found. .
oh. but you should not worry your.
self needlessly, Hartman. Perhaps
, she stayed with some friends at Fern
dale"
There isn't any one I'm Ferndale
she Knows we'll enough to stay with
my lady, and If she had slept the
night at Ferndale she would have
been sure to come home early this
morning"
Then what has become of herr
said Norah.
| j can't think, my lady. Becca is
giddy and Eighty. hut l don't think
she'd stay out all night away from
her grandfather unless"
Unless what Harman?" asked
Norah, as the woman hesitated.
Unless she'd been forced to, my
lady"
Norah sat and thought with knit
brOWS An piubt panpa buA houptDF