Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-20

sense to my wife, | will follow him to
london and thrash him!" he cried.
1 can see how it is Hilda did not tell
me; she was afraid I should quarrel
with him."
Nothing of the kind" said Lady
5ayneham, trying to allay the tempest
she had aroused. She very likely
never thought of naming it at all; she
cannot run to you every time any one
either speaks or writes to her"
"Then why have you named itv
asked Lord Bayneham, impatiently.
If there is nothing wrong extraordin-
airy, improper, wonderful, or anything
else in it, why did you come to me?
"Claud, 1 quite despair Of you" said
the countess, haughtily. Il nave ex-
planned my motives. Your wife is
Young. beautiful, and unframed in the
world ways; it is your place to warn
her. and see that her. very innocence
and simplicity do not cause her to act
imprudently.'
Lord Bayneham sighed; he was not
quite clear as to what his mother
really meant. He saw one thing
plainly: she was not actuated by any
ankind feeling toward Hilda; but be
lore he had time to reply Barbara en-
tered her face glowing with exercise,
and her hand filled with choice ferns.
See, aunt" she said, touching Lady
Bayneham's face with her fresh red
lbs Il ha q found all these treasures;
they will make your collection COM
pIete. Good-morning, Claud; you look
one-half SO bright as the
morning"
For the first time she noticed the
uneasy expression of both faces.
81 am sorry to hear Hilda is not
well this morning" she continued.
Pauline tells me she has not lett her
room; so will go and see her"
IF you are not otherwise engaged,
Claud,o said Lady Bayneham, as Miss
Earle quilted the room, perhaps you
would go with me around the shrub
berry. / should like shoIC walk be-
fore the heat of the day comes on"
81 am quite at your service, mother,
he replied. llstlessly. longing to be
with Hilda, and read. for his own sat
lsfaction, the truth in her beautiful
eyes.
Lady Bayneham wished some time
to elapse before her son saw his wife,
resolving TO give change to his
thoughts and ideas. OF all fatal deeds
that morning she committed the most
fatal.
Let us go down the Lady's Walk, "
she said taking her sons arm. Il like
the quiet shade"
They turned down the broad, shady
path called the Lady's Walk; tall
branching trees met there overhead,
forming a depth of cool shade. The
morning air was soft and clear, the
birds sung sweetly, and flowers bloomed
and all nature was smiling and gay.
AS they drew near the end of the
walk Lord Bayneham saw something
shining and glittering In the long,
thick grass.
What have We here?" he said, stoop-
ng for the shining prize. He nearly
dropped it again, in uncomfortable as
enlistment. i was Las wife's brace.
ct, the one he had seen upon her arm
the night before, and had spoken tr
his mother about; it was the very
same; there were the costly pearls and
the pale pure gold, with his initials
and those of his wife entwined.
"Hildas bracelet" cried Lady Bay
neham. in sheer wonder; why, how
did that come here? How careless to
drop valuable piece of jewelry like
that! Is it injured?" she continued for
her son did not speak How strange
ing it from his hand why, Claud,-
that 1t should be here!" she said TAX
HiIda wore this last evening; l saw 1t
on her arm when you babe her good.
night. How came It here?"
No reply came from the young earl /:
but strange dark look gathered over
his handsome face. marring its beauty
with passion.
She must have been out this morn
ing" said Lady Bayneham; yet Pau
line said she had not quilted her room
Can there have been a robbery
CLAUDE"
We must inquire" said Lord Bay
neham sternly. This bracelet was or
my wife's arm when | babe her good
Iight; this morning find 1t here; who
has dropped it fere?"
For a moment the mother and son
looked steadily at each other; ther
Lord Bayneham turned to ro.eEter tn,
house. In the hall they met Lady
dilda's maid--pretty, smiling Pauline
who dropped her most coquettish cour
tesy before the young earl
is Lady HlIda down YETI" asked
the countess.
My lady has been indisposed all the
morning" replied the maid; she ha:
lot yet left her room"
HAS she n>r been in the park?'
asked Lady Bayheham, quickly.
My lady is III" said Pauline again
with look Of establishment, and ha.
not yet left her room"
Hush. mother" said the earl. wher
the maid had passed on; ASK no ques
tons from servants Hilda will ex
plain It. and We shall find 40 myster,
after all. If she is dressed We will gc
to her room"
Perhaps you had better go alone,