Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-27

sounded rather oddly in Lady Anne's
ears, put his arm aroun her waist
The dance seemed, Like the supper
endless. He saw the minutes racing
away, and carrying with them his
last opportunity of speaking with No
rah. ady Anne was pretty and
charming enough to win the heart Of
any man, but it is to be feared thaL
Cyril went very near to actually de-
liking her.
The moment the music ceased he
took her to her mother, and, meta
phorically, almost threw her at Lady
ment and anxiety, he went round in
search Of Norah.
He could not see her anywhere. lie
looked at his watch; there was very
little more time left than would suffice
for him to go back to The Chequers
and get his things and catch the train.
At last he saw Lady Ferndale stand
ing by the opening of the tent, and
be made his way to her.
SO soon, Mr.. Burner" she sa :
thinking he was going.
Il am afraid So, said Cyril
Thank you for so very pleasant aa
evening" Then he out with mis-
question with a suddenness that a.
most startled himself. Have yoa
seen Lady Norah, Lady Ferndale?
IL want to beg a dance"
"Oh, I'm so sorry" said Lady tern
dale. She was tired. 1t has been a
long day. and she has been so good in
helping us. She has gone into the
house. and to bed, hope; but | am
really sorry that you should miss
your dance"
Cyril stared at her for a nome .
aghast, then in a bewildered kind If
way he made for the cloakroom, and
got his hat and coat, and went into
the open air.
There he stood with his hands
thrust into his pockets, staring vacant
ly at the stars,
Norah gone! The last chance IF
seeing her and speaking to her lost!
And he was going away perhaps for
months. And there was no way of
communicating with her!
Go, Leave her with nothing to
take with m but the remembrance
OF her strange, inexplicable ooldnessi
Not hel Lori Newall and his pic
ture might go hang Then he thought
of his high resolve, of the chance
which luck had given him, of what
Jack would say of what Norah her
self would say if he let it slip; and
he groaned
Was there no way of letting der
know where he was going and why
no way Of telling her how cruelty she
had made him suffer that night, and
begging her for an explanation?
Even as he asked himself the ques-
ton he saw Becca South coming from
the tent.
She was wrapped in a shawl, and
was evidently going home in company
with some of the girls of the village
who were with her.
Her presence naturally supplied
him with an idea. She had carried a
message for him once; she should do
so again.
Joining the group, he went up to
her, and, touching her arm, wais-
pered her name
She started, and turned her face to
! him, and its pallor struck him as II
had done when he had run against
her on his way from the supper room.
Come with me minute. Beeca,
he said in a whisper
She did not hesitate for a second,
but, obeying him as if he had a right
to command. took her arm from that
Of the girl next to her. and said, Go
on, Emily; I'll catch MP to you IL
rectly."
The girl, indeed the whole Of tie
little group looked at her and at Cy-
ril. and the one she had addressed a.
Emily giggled knowingly. and whis.
pered something which made the rest
laugh as they looked over their Shout
ders.
Cyril was half dozen yards in the
darkness. Becea following Then he
stopped
"Becca" he said, win you do some
thing for me?"
She nodded, her black eyes fixed
upon his face.
That's good girl he said. 4
want you to take a letter to"-he fal-
tered for a moment-"to Lady Moran
Becca nodded silent again.
IL wanted 10 say something to
her. said Cyril, but could not get
chance tonight viii you give her
note from me; give 1t to her when
you are alone with her? You took a
message from me once. you know
7 know. Give me the letter Mr..
Burne."
1T isn't written yet, Becca, and
where am I to get--Wa:t!" He hunt
ed his pockets and found an old let
ter Come this way he said
quickly.
Becca followed him to the edge o.
the shrubbery. and, kneeling down.
Cyril spread out the half sheet Of Pr
per on his hat
Now take this matchbox and ngnt
match-one after the other; keep
them going till I've finished. There's
good girl. Becca." he said.
She etr1frl a way match and hold II