Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-04-17

preston, attracted some attention.
and he had the questionable satisfac-
ton of hearing one lady ask another
who and what he was.
Il am only a stewards son" he
thought to himself; but shall soon be
the husband of Lady Norah, and an
earIs son-in-law. and then there will
be no need to ask" and he encour-
aged himself with this while he looked
on at Norah surrounded by her
athrong of courtiers." as the Morning
Post had it.
He did not dance He did not ask
Norah for even a square dance, though
he would HAYES been fully Warranted
in doing so. He knew instneuvely
that she disliked and distrusted him.
and tbat he must, if he would win
her. restrain himself-possess his
soul n patience.
And presently he had his reward
In the middle of the small hours the
earl came up to him.
Il find that am rather tired, Gull-
ford" he sd, "and think l should
like to 60 home; but l do not wish to
interrupt Lady Norah's enjoyment.
VIII you be good enough to escort her
when she is ready?"
He spoke as he would have done to
a superior servant, but Berton vas
satisfied
Go by all means, my lord" he said
'oh. yes; / will take care OF Lady
Norah'
So it happened that an hour later.
when Norah, weary beyond words, O.
the music and the laughter and the
worship of her adorers--through all
of which she had ben thinking Of
cyril. married to Becca South-looked
round for her father, Guilford Berton
gided to her side.
The earl has gone, Lady Norah,
he said, "and has been good enough to
consign you to my care. Would you
like to go now?'
Norah bit her lip. but she could
show no open resentment His tobH
OF revential respect made that .mpoa-
sible. and she put her hand upon his
arm.
Who the deuce is that paie-Iaced
fellow walking off with Lady Norah? p
asked one man of another. Her
brother? No! the earl hasn't son
Confound him! Who can he be?'
He wrapped her in the fur AID
closed the windows. but remained out
side the carriage. Not yet would he
force himself upon her.
1T is such lovely night that I am
going to ask your permission to
smoke a cigarette on the box" he
said.
That night he had a dream. He
dreamed that he was standing befo .
the altar with Norah, that the Clergy
man was droning the marriage serv
Ice. and that he, Guilford Bert"n
was Just taking the hand Of his lovely
bride. when the shadowy form OF Becca
South foated between them, and that
it was her cold and dead!-han1
which clasped his fingers
CHAP Eh NNNti
Guilford Berton was far TO clever
TO force himself upon Norah at the
bail, and he adopted the same tactics
in Park lane They met at meals,
and he worked hard to amuse and Ell
terrain her. He had always some
story. some pleasant jest or topic icr
conversation; and although he did not
force his presence upon her, he en-
deavored to make himself indispens-
able to her.
Lady Ferndale had suggested that
Norah should take to riding but as
yet Norah had been too slIess about
+ everything to fall in with the sugges.
ton. II she could have had Cyril to
ride with, it would have been differ.
ent matter. But Guilford Berton
without saying anything to worry her
went out and chose a quiet horse fer
her. and then told the earl what he
had done
The Park is quiet now" he SAID
and | know a capital riding master
AS Lady Ferndale says, it will 10
Lady Norah more good than any
thing else"
Very kind, very thoughtful of you
But am not overload of riding mas
tiers; and it is alas!some years since
rode"
IF Lady Norah will permit me,
will go with them" said Guilford Rer
ton Il shall be able to help her, per
bdps."
Az first Norah shook her head, anC
said that she did not care about it
but the earl made a point cc It, ant
she got habit. and the lessons com
menced
She would infinitely preferred p,
have ridden with the master alone. bu
trouble Gmlford Berton had taken, t.
object to his company, and so he rod,
with them; and it was really he. ant
not the master who did the instrgct
ing
THESE men are mere machines
ne said, as he rode beside her, kcep
ing a careful eye upon the horse, an
allowing himself to glance only noy
and then at the beautiful ride
They have a method which they al
ply to all; it never varies, though tn
pupil may be as nervous as a reed Q
as fun Of courage as you are, Lad
NOrah"