Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-20

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carry or the prize. At any rate. he's
making all the running tonight"
Yes, sticks to her like shadow. +"
grumbled Lord Charles. Il heard her
promise him another dance after sup
per, and I'll be bound he takes her in :
Cyril listened half1absently. 1t
never occurred to him that they
were talking of Norah and GuiIford
Bertons until suddenly he heard her
name
Yes, Charlie, my boy" said his
friend, you may look upon yourself
as a gone coon. The divine Norah
has slipped through your fingers Ac-
cept my sympathy and another CT
garette. Mr.. Guilford Berton win be
the happy mani"
Cyril started, and his face crils-
soned, and then went white. These
men mad put into words the doubts
and the dread that were haunting him
and driving him halfmad
He flung his cigarette away, and
was turning to go into the ballroom
again, scarcely knowing why. when he
heard stified sob near him in the
darkness, and, peering into it caught
the glimmer OF a woman's dress few
yards from him.
He went up to it, his own misery
moving him to compassion, and put
out his hand.
is anything the matter?" he asked
in low voice. "who is it,"
The SOB was repeated. and voice
said;
mo, go away"
Why, Becca, is that your he said,
gently. What is the matter?" and he
took her by the arm, and tried TO turn
her face toward a streak of light that
came from The marquee.
Becca struggled feebly then gave in
and stood with dropping head, but
evidently battling with her emotion.
She. too. had heard the conversation
which had so stirred Cyril, and like a
flash of lightning it had opened her
eyes and confirmed her suspicious.
She knew now for certain the reason
why Guilford Berton had avoided her
of late. 1t was not her he cared for.
but Lady Norah
With her hand pressed to her heay-
ing bosom and her lips set tight, she
struggled to keep down the bitter
tears
Come, Becca" said Cyril, compas-
sionately enough, but with a trace of
impotence in his voice, for he was
dying to return to the ballroom to find
Norah, and have it out. Tell me
what's the matter
NO, MOI" she painted, Il can't.
It's nothing!"
Young ladies don't cry about noFh-
ing, not generally said Cyril. Come
what is it? Can | do anything sor
your"
mo, no. she said, his sympathy
starting her into tears again.
You can't do anything, no one can.
I'm so un-un-unhappy. she added,
with smothered sob.
My poor child, Sc are most of us!
But perhaps can help you to get rid
of your unhappiness. Tell me what
it is"
IL cart! It's no use asking me
sir" she said whimpering. RI
want to go home, to get away from
this place"
But why?" asked Cyril. why.
Becca, you seemed the jolliest Of the
jolly a little while ago"
so was, but / didn't know then
oh. it's cruel, cpuel!"
We'll. if you won't tell me, or you
don't care to won't poster you,
said Cyril There, dry your eyes,
and go and dance, and try to forget
your trouble It won't grow any light
er for crying over it." he added. philo-
sophieally. Here, wait until I go
and get You a glass of champagne" he
said. But leave off crying, or every
body will see what you have been up
TO and be wondering what such a pref,
ty GIL has got to cry for There, sit
down there and he half pushed her
gently into one Of the chairs that md
been piled up near where they sto, d
To be Continued