Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-13
Continued.

ASK me anything you like Becca,
he said, pleasantly. But don't lei
us stand here; it's rather cold. Come
inside
I'm not cold" she said, curtly.
But 1 am. Come don't 3e disagree
able You may as well come in and
talk comfortably as stand outside here
you silly girl"
He unlocked and opened the door
as ne spoke. and walked into the gar
den, and Becca, after momentary
hesitation, followed him.
Then the door closed with clang
which should have found an answer
ing echo in Becca's heart.
He led the way to the house, and
struck a match.
sit down Becea," he said, and he
set the lantern on the table and closed
the shutters, yawning as he did SO.
Are you very tired, Becca? / am
1t has been a confoupdedly long day
aud We wished it over hours ago"
Becca did not SIT down, but stool
by the table, upon which she leaned
with one hand.
Now what is It? But wish you
sit down. Here''-he rose, and went
to the sideboard-'1et me give you a
glass of wine"
Z don't want any, she said, in a
low voice.
Nonsense! Well, if you won {" as
she repeated the gesture, I will Yon
don't mind my smoking?' He lit an
other cigar. Now, Beeca, let's hear
what's the matter" and he seated
himself ct the table near her, ana
looked at her with a smile. But
know what it is before you tel me
You've taken it into that foolish lit
tie head of yours to be jealous. That
it, isl't it? Oh, know you, Becca
you see. You think | ought to have
paid you little attention tonight
and you're riled because l didn't
choose to let everybody know how
fond I am Of my pretty little Becca"
Il want to ask you a question,
want to ask you If you have forgotten
what you promised me?"
What a question to ask a man at
this time OF night" he said, w1th q
laugh Have I forgotten what, sou
silly child
That you promised to marry me-
Have I forgotten it? What a ques
ton! Is it likely that man would
forget suca a thing. my dear Becta!
Of course I promised! But VITA
makes you come and ask me on this
of all nights?'
Because-becduse can't trust
ycu. I haven't trusted you for weeks
past. You've changed to me-"
oh, nonsense" he broke in lightly
You've altered since-s:nce-sht
came"
she? Who? Oh, you mean Lady
Norah. l suppose! Don't be absurd
Becca.'
Since she came you've kept out OF
my way, and-and put me off It's
not my fancy; I'm not blind. Her
voice grew more hurried and excited
but she still spoke in a low tone
"Tye seen it, and-and others have
seen it, and-and tonight more than
ever!"
There, told you you were jeaIoust
My dear Becca if you knew a little
more OF the world you'd understand
that l am obliged to be attentive to
the daughter of my best friend OF
course danced with her and--and
talked to her Why, Becca. you don
want me to Use all my friends when
marry yoI?"
No. l understand quite we'll,
though am only a poor, ignorant
girl. It's not me you want, but Lady
Norah!"
Tut, tut! I don't want to marry
Lady Norah I want to marry you, and
! mean to-
"When?"
'When?" he repeated, but she
stopped him with a gesture.
you needn't trouble to tell me any
more lies don't believe them. I've
been fool to believe them before.
You won't marry me and I know it.
It's Lady Norah-"
Now, be sensible, Becca. You
think you are very sharp, but you
don't seem to see all that goes on ua-
der your eyes nevertheless. My dear
child, If I wanted to marry Lady
Norah ever so badly I haven't a
chance, There's sor one else before
me. I'm not the ia ored individual.
Lady Norah doesn't give a thought to
me It's Cyril Burne-who by the
way, seems a special favorite of
yours"
Mr.. Burnes nothing to me, and
| know, he'd like to marry her, and he
ought. Yes, know that, ana I know
you are trying to come between them. Is
NONSENSE"
Eyes I'm not blind now, if was
before. But-hut he's a gentleman
and he shall have hei I know what
you've been trying to do all the day
70 >ome between him and her. and You
think you've done it," Her voice
grew louder, and the old spirit of def
ance cleaned in her black eyes. But
you shan't' You think because he's
gone that you'll be able to poison aer
against him and have It all your own
yVay YOu forget he rpu1d ,1-r;ta