Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-02

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fectly happy she was? Then. remem-
bering she had promised BERTHE Carl
yon the last dance before supper, |
Lady Hilda rose to return to the ball
room.
81 was just coming for YOU" said
Lord Bayneham, drawing his wife's
arm in his; "Greyson has been here
in search Of you He wants TO speak
to you; it is something about the ar
rangements, l suppose. l will send
him to YOU
Greyson was the, butter, who had
served Lord Bayneham's father, and
was consequently looked upon as a.
valuable and confidential servant He
approached Lady Hilda, looking care
fully around to see If any one could
hear what he had to say. His young
mistress stood near a large recess;
it was half divided from the ballroom
by thick crimson curtain.
MY lady" he said, producing
small folded paper, 81 have been
asked to give you this without letting
any one see or hear of it."
Lady Hilda hastily opened the note.
| 1t was almost illegible, as though the
hand that wrote it had trembled and
shook.
| Lady Hilda Bayneham." lit be-
gan, the doctor tells me l am dying
have been dying for two days past but
! l cannot leave this world until l have
seen you. l shall have no answer to
the questions / must be asked unless
see and speak to you. It is from
the threshold of eternity l summon
you. Do not delay; and as you value
the love and happiness around you,
| do not say one word Of this. / am
lying at the little cottage near The
FRS"
How stranger" said Lady Hilda
as sic read the little note over again.
WHO brought this. Greyson?"
did Mrs. Paine, from The FRS,
my lady"
Was any message left with it."
she Inquired.
None" replied the man, except
that she asked me to give it to you
soon, and when you we're quite alone. %
The butler imagined, rs old Mrs.
Paine had done. that it was a request
for aims Every one in sorrow or
want sought Lady Hilda, and no one
ever sought her in vain.
| AS there was no more % be said,
Greyson fastened to resume his
duties. leaving the lady bewildered
and surprised with the note in her
hand.
1T must be an appeal for money, T"
she said. Twill not be anxious over
it. I wish whoever wrote the letter
would have asked plainly for what is
wanted"
| She tried to believe it was but a
somewhat uncommon way of solicit
| ing money.
Yet they were solemn words; she
heard them above the soft sweet
dream-liks music that filed the ball
room, above the courtesies and
homage offered to her; above the
voice of fattery and love they rang
out clear. cold, a-d solemn, From
tho threshold of eternity Summon
you"
BERTHE Carlyon wondered what
spell lay on those rosy hps-they were
mute and still; the bright beautiful
face had a troubled wondering look.
Il fear you are very tired, Hilda,"
said Lord Bayneham to his young
WIFE
Il am not tired" she replied
hastily. 'but I am"
Then she stopped abruptly. remeIn-
bering those other words.-'As YOU
value the love and happiness around
you, do not say one word of this"
You are WHAT" said Lord Bayne-
ham. smiling. yet wondering why his
wife's face flushed and the words died
upon her lips
She made some evasive reply anc
turned away It would have been a
great relief to- have shown him the
note. and asked him what he thought
He would have understood It. but
strange fear and dread had seized the
brilliant lady; she dared not disobey
that command
At the head of that sumptuous ban
quet she was obliged to talk and
listen. obliged to give her whole atten-
ton to her duties Yet there were
many who thought their young host.
ess looked strangely tired and dis
traite. She was grateful when the
Duke of Laleham took his departure.
The other guests were not long In
following his example.
We have had a delightful night,
said Barbara Earle, as the little
family group assembled in the bou-
doir; but even pleasure fatigues one.
| propose-and You must second my
resolution, aunt-that no one speaks
another word. Let US retire, Eiida
looks tired and worn out
Though It would he delightful 20
talk over the ball. said BERTHE.
for one obey Miss Earle" and off he
went to the smoking-room.
Yet even when they were all gone.
when she stood in her room alone,
Hilda stfll heard those mysterious
words
Who is 4, she thought THAT
from the threshold of eternity would
summon, rup9'