Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-13
Lady Dutton's Ward
BY sHRTMA n. GAY.


out to the Lady's Walk She cou
reach it by the staircase which le
from her own private suite Of rooms
In the distance she saw the tall figur
Of Mr. Fulton coming quickly towar
her.
1T is sorely against my viii that
am here" she began; but you aske'
me to come, for my mothers sake
Tell me what you have to say"
Much" he replied, that cannot be
hastily uttered. Lady Hilda, 10 no
fear me. Look at my face. Have }
the appearance of a man who sought
this interview for any foolish, vain
reason of his owns"
She Looked at him; there was
faint CLEAN of light coming from the
moonlit sky, and by it she saw that
the handsome face. usually so careless
and gay, was sad and full of deep
emotion. Her calm eyes dwelt upon
it, but they read nothing there.
You may trus; me-" he said; you
might trust me with your life. Let US
walk down the path. You will be cold
if we remain standing"
They went down the broad path to-
gether.
MY time is very precious" said
ailda, coldly. a run great risk by
remaining here"
Il know it," he replied. 81 asked
you to come. for your mothers sake.
DO you know who she was, and what
was her story?"
Il know it all, said the young girl
sadly. MY mothers fate has clouded
my life"
Thank Heaven, l am spared that
long explanation" he replied II half
feared you might still believe you were
Lady Huttons daughter"
Il never thought that she replied;
and one must not ever so lightly
blame the dead; but wish had been
lleft to share my mothers fate.
should have frightened her life, and
have been saved all the sorrow and
shame of feeling myself half an i'm
postor."
1T was done for the best" he said,
dreamily.
4 suppose So" she replied; "but
this is not what you wanted me for.
You knew my parents-what have
you to say Of them to me?"
you. speak of your mother" he con
ttaued; did you never hear Of your
father? Did no one ever mention him
to you?"
yes" she replied, bitterly. my
mother. on her deathbed. told ne of
him"
"May 1 ask what sne .aiur' de IA
quired Some people do not possess
the art of painting an agreeable por-
trait"
That cannot possibly concern you,
she replied Tell me your business
quickly, and let me go. My fathers
name brings no music to my ears.
Perhaps before now he has met my
mother, and rendered her justice"
She raised her pure. calm face to
the night skies as she spoke, and Paul
Fulton stood abashed and humbled be-
fore the serene innocence and dignity
Of his child.
"Hilda." he said. has it never
struck you who ann"
A cold dread seized her. She had
never thought OF him until the day he
touched her golden head with his lips.
and looked so sadly upon her. Now
an awful fear came over her; who
could he be that knew the secret her
mother had kept? She turned anG
looked at him: colby and calmly her
yes rested on his agitated face. and
by the faint light of the moonbeams
she resembIed a spirit more than any
living being,
Have you never thought of me, he
said, "or wondered who l was?"
"Never!" she replied.
Would you not care to see your
father. Hilda? With all his faults, he
loved you"
My father broke the sweetest and
truest heart that ever heat" she re-
piled, passionately; how could I wish
10 see him
FLUSH. chtd!-Ihushl' he said
sadly; your words stab me, Try 10
care for me Hilda. am your father,
stephen Hurst and place my life in
your hands"
Her face grew even more deadly
pale
My words of greeting to you.
'a,her" she said, sadly, "are. that
slsh I had died when I was a child,
before knew my hopeless. dreary
late"
Can you say nothing kinder, Hilda?"
he asked; and for once there was real
dignity and true feeling in his words.
4 have not been saint; but YOU are
NY child and | love you
She walked on unheedingly. her fair
hands clasped passionately; the fate
aer dying mother had predicted and
,aared had come TO her
What have done?" she said, wildly.
looking up to the still, serene heavens,
why should this fate have fallen up.
on me?'
Hush, Hilda. said Paul Fulton.
shall do you no wrong child; we can
eop each Others secrets. do not
want t. Interfere VITA you should
aot have said one word, but feared