Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-16

Quce MIN 10 CouS''nt
He saw the color rise to her face,
saw the light glowing in her eyes, and
the restraint he had put upon him
self gave way.
"Norah," he laid, in low voice.
1T is not for him to dispose OF our
lives. Give me your answer! VIII
you let me love you? Will you try
and love me in return? VIII you be
my wife?"
1T is Impossible" she faltered.
He stood still, his eyes bent on the
ground fighting for self-control, fight
ing down the passion that threatened
to master him; then he sank down on
the seat again
Norah did not dare to look at him,
and. with a whispered "Good-by, "
was turning to leave him, when a
brush slipped from the front Of the
easel. He stopped to pick it up,
forgetting his injured arm, but Moran
bent and got it and was placing it on
the easel when he caught her hand
and looked up at her.
"Ah," he said, 81 cannot let you go
without some word less hard, less
Icruel than that"
She had withstood his pleading
voice, though every note of it had
found an echo in her heart, but she
could not withstand the touch of his
hand AS he looked up at her he
saw her face change, wave of pas
sionate tenderness seemed to pass
over it, her lips Guivered. and, with
a gesture as if she were obeying an
Irresistible impulse, she held out her
other hand to him, and. seeing that
he could not take both. she let it fall,
with the simple eloquence Of love. up
on his arm
You love me- he murmureu,
l'NOrah?"
She met his ardent gaze with her
frank, trustful one, and steadily
though her face crimsoned.
"Yes-I love you" she whispered
.ie put his arm round her, and
drew her toward him, passlonately
yet reverently.
MY darling. my queen!' his voice
seemed to sing In spite of all
you love me! oh, my darling If you
knew how full of love my heart is
how happy" He broke off, and
raising her hand, kissed it passion
ately, tenderly; then. as her head feI
upon his shoulder, he pressed his
lips to hers
: Norah did not shrink. but her face
grew pale, for it was the first time 4
kiss of love such as Cyrils haC
touched her lips, and she trembled
Give me one kiss in return" az
pleaded.
; Casper, lying beside them in 4
bracken, watched them sleepily. tn,
great trees above them turned tn,
| gentle breeze into a so1g of love. I'll,
sunlight fell upon them like a bene
diction and all nature seemed to b,
standing by. witnessing and approx
. ling the compact of their young ant
loving hearts To Norah, as sh,
| llnelt, with his arm round her, he
. head upon his shoulder, earth seemed
, to have become transformed into (;
paradise, She had not loved till this
moment, she had not known wha
love meant-but now,
Cyril was the first TO speaK. and /
was almost like a sacrilege to breal
the heavenly Silence, to snap the spel
of enchantment which their happiness
had woven round them.
DO you know what you hav,
, done2" he asked her. with mock gray
, ity as he kissed the red-gold hair tina
, brushed his cheek.
Norah started slightly. as if awak
+ ing from a dream and. stroking hi
7 hand with caressing movement
looked up at him with smile. hal
, shy, half grave
What Is Il that I have done?"
"Plighted your troth-you, the Lad,
Norh Arrowdale--to a worthless
Epoverty-strleken artist" he said. bu
- there was the shadow Of a smile Il
: his eyes, and the tone of his vote
was not so solemn as the words
mot worthless" she murmured. he
. eyes bent on his hand
t Not altogether, If you have foun
g something worthy, dearest!" he sale
r But poor and struggling man, an!
s way. And you are not afraid?"
Z "Afraid?" she echoed
e Afraid of what the world-the eai
o will say?"
d Why should I care what the worl
s says--and my father" She stol
u ped. but her lovely eyes were full {
X courage He may be angry, but h
n cannot separate us"
r The tone in which the words wer
!, spoken thrilled him, and he kisse
t her reverently.
4 My brave darling" he saio. in
j low voice "No, no one on cart
, shall separate US now that you hay
said you love me No one, As fc
e the earl he paused moment. as
3 he were struggling with desire {
e say something and were keeping
" blackwell, even he may in tim
give his consent Listen. dearest:
an poor and struggling artist nov
e. but ! may win the good fight. ma
=, win name which. though il wi
never be worthy your acceptance, ma