Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-06-26

Ier0ay, anu-anQ were recOnclIe0. L
have not had time to think of any
thing or anybody, but herself; but if
you'll stand by me and get her con
sent, | don't care one brass farthing
whst the world says" and as he con
fronted Lady Ferndale. his face lit up
with a smile which won that lady's
heart over to his side in a moment
You shall have her, Mr.. Burne-
Lord Arrowdale-oh, dear!"
Mr.. Burne. pleased he said. laue.h-
ing warningly.
So it happened that when Norah
came in, and going up to Lady Fern
dale, said. with downeast face:
We'll, dear have you explained TO
him how impossible it is"
Lady Ferndale replied, demurely:
MIR. Burne has convinced me that
the marriage should take place within
the week. dear, and I've promised him
it shalt" and to Norah's little cry of
dismay she youchsafed nothing but a
laugh
It was useless for Norah to attempt
to argue or protest. She was one
against three, for Jack. to whom sne
appealed to help her fight against
Lady Ferndale and Cyril, basely de-
serted her and went over to the en-
envy, and at last Norah gave in. only
stipulating that the wedding shouL2 be
as quiet as it could legally be-
Wen be married in the coal cellar
ami swear tie clergyman to secrecy,
if you like said Cyril. AS for me,
/ can dispense with bridesmaids anc
best nan-no, can't, l must have
Jack; but III let the cake and tie
cards CO.
And / must have the cake said
Lady Ferndale And now, Mr.,
Mr.. Burne. as Norah and l will have
to work really hard for the next few
days. shall be glad if you win SO
down to your club. and-stay there
as much as you can. Stop though,
/ she added suddenly. as if sometime
had occurred to her: now / think it.
Norah will have to do some shopping,
and if you will promise to bring her
/ back to dinner. you shall go with
her. III give you till dinner time.
A more delightful proposal for both
of the infatuated young persons she
could not have made and very soon
they had gone off in one of Norah' 6
| beloved hansoms.
Then Lady Ferndale sat herself
I 4 ~, J,.o NOW, waited
for something she expected.
| Half an hour afterward Mr.. Pether
lex WIS announced. He was not the
visitor she had been expecting but she
was Mt home to him, and the old law
yer, in a state Of suppressed excir >
ment, began at once on the alien
crossing topic
Lady Norah-I mean Miss Norah .
he said, "of course she has told you
what has occurred, Lady Ferndale?H
he said. you know everything?"
Yes" she responded. adding, men.
tally, as she thought of Cyrirs identity
which Mr. Petherick was yet igno
rant Of "and more than you know"
'T--er-Tm glad to be able to dis
cuss the matter with you without re
serve" he went on. "Of course. you
know that she is engaged to AR
Burne?"
"And that they are to be married
! Immediately" said Lady Ferndale.
Eyes, yes. Dear mel" he said
well, can't say disapprove 0i
course, I've no voice in the matter
no right to express an opinion the
young lady is no longer the late earl's
daughter and-they are to be marie
immediately"
TT is to be kept profound secret
l mean really secret not an open orc
which every one may know"
yves. yes" he nodded: and I-eI
think it as well. I've high opin-
ion of Mr.. Burne, and I've been max
/ ing some inquiries. OF course, If shr
had been Lady Norah still he would
not he at all suitable match but as
! It is
"As she is absolutely penniless
poor girl" said Lady Ferndale, with
smile. "and they are ridiculousiy in
love with each other
"Yes, yes, understand. and 7 hope
Il hope with all my heart that they
vii be as lappy as even you and
could wish them. But now. Lady
Ferndale, must tell you another rea
sor for calling on you at his unusually
early hour have had visitor this
morning: in fact, ne has only just
left my office"
Yes" said Lady Ferndale, demure-
lily. May I guess? 1t is Mr. Gull
ford Berton, is it not?"
You are right, and-ahem-I must
say his visit was an extremely trying
enc for me. 1t is very hard, Lady
Terndale. when one knows a man to
| be a scoundrel to refrain from telling
| him so, and-er-requesting him 10
| leave ones presence
Oh, l 10 hope you didn't tell him,
she exclaimed, with dismay.
"Well-er-no, I didn't: l kept my
temepr and-temporized. OF cours-.
he came to inquire after Lady
mean, Miss-Norah +"
"Of course"
My dear lady, never saw a man
so altered Ii so short a time Ii had
not known from Miss iNorah's story
! "a r AEs 7