Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-15

Continued.

Continued
you shall not speak another word
to mel" she said with parted lips, her
breath coming fast ana furiously, her
bids olinched tightly. "E-en-eyen
If all you said be true, it would make
no difference. Take my answer, Mr..
Berton. I'-she caught her breath
and spoke slowly. with a hauteur he
had never seen her exhibit before
Il cannot marry you; and now, will
you go, please?'
rs thai The last word between US?
You chose to disregard his wish, you
fling my love in my face! Do you
think that l am the man to take dis
missal quietly, patiently? You little
know-'' He pulled himself up,
and bent toward her imploringly.
"Ah, forgive me; l don't know what
am saying Ny heart is torn and
rent by your GOODNESS, your disdain,
Have pity on me, Norah--
She moved forward slowly pain
fully as it seemed, andh err hand went
toward the Dell.
Stay" he said, abruptly. 1 will
go. But for Gods sake, have some
mercy! Do not let US part like-like
this. If / cannot be what / would TO
you, at least do not take your friend
ship from me-" His voice grew cooler
and more composed Remember how
much l suffer by your rejection, Lady
Norah, and-and let that plead for me.
have spoken wildly-madly; forget
what / have said, and-and let things
be as they were between us"
Her hand dropped from the bell, AMI,
cringingly. like whipped dog, he
tried to take rar hand to lift it To
his lips, but Norah shrank back be
yond his reach and pointed to the
door.
Il viii try and forget, fol- his
sake" she said, with difficulty; but
go!''
Then, as he left the room. she fell
forward, her head bowed upon her
hands. and one word broke from her
lips:
Cyril"
CHAPTER XXI.
A quarter of an hour later Gull
ford Berton was walking toward his
cottage. He was burning hot as il
with fever. and he took off his ha5
and let the cold evening air blow upon
his parched forehead.
The love of bad man. we are told
by one of those philosophers who
seem to know everything, is very near
akin to hate, and at that moment
Guilford Berton was not quite sure
whether he loved or hated Norah
mosti
But he meant to make her his wife
as firmly and fixedly as he had ever
meant it.
He could scarcely say that he was
surprised or disappointed by her re
fusal.He had not gone so far as to
hope that she would accept him, and II
was something that he had, so L
speak, broken the ground.
She knows now that l love GER
he muttered, as he walked along with
feyerish steps and restless eyes
She will grow accustomed to the
knowledge presently and-and in
time win discover that it is useless to
fight against it. 1t is a question OF
will, and mine is stronger than hers.
If had only kept my temper more
under control! But that look on
her face and that Co. 1t was worse
he wiped his forehead and laughed
a ghastly Taught was worse than
the old mans on the night he was
taken ILL., wonder If he heard and
understood what we were saying?'
and he laughed again. IF he did. |
have had my revenge already. But
must be careful My luck has stood
by me up till lately. Up to the night
! showed the viti TOOL my hand Is II
going to turn"
As he asked himself the question he
reached the gate in the wall, and
took out his key.
He had not deemed it necessary to
acquaint the old woman OF his Intend.
ed return. and as he opened the door
and entered the silent and gloomy
house she came out with a lamp in
her hand, and eyed him with dull and
stolid surprise
Is 1t all right" he mentioned on
his fingers.
Yes" she sighed
And no one has been here?" he
asked
Nc" she answered; mo one"
He nodded and signed to her that
she could go to bed, and then. taking
the lamp from her, went into the
small stting-room
He had no sooner done so than back
flashed upon his mind the remem-
brance of-Becca South!
He had been so engrossed of late by
his pursuit Of Norah that he had al
most forgotten the other awful thing
which had haunted him, but now here
it was back again in Ill its potent
horror.
He set the lamp upon the tble ana
looked around the room with a shivef
1t struck cold and damp and it was
full of the terrible scene of the night
Of his crime He button { his coat
across his chest, and, going to the
sideboard, got out some brandy and
mixed himself drink, but even the