Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-04

volume that she had been reading lay
with the leaves stiil open and every
thing bore the trace OF her presence.
BuBt where was she?
Lord Bayneham hastily descended
to the drawing-room, where the ladies
Of the family generally sat. Barbara
was there reading, but no golden head
was raised at his entrance.
Where is Hilda? he asked alb
ruptly.
q do not know" replied Miss Earle,
looking at him in some surprise. Il
have not seen her. this morning"
Just then Lady Bayneham entered.
with a cold, proud expression on her
face, that her son knew well.
Where is Hilda, mother" he asked
impatiently, Il thought she was with
you"
"Your wife does not honor me with
her society,"" was the reply, most
haughtily given. 81 went this morning
to her room, but was decidedly refused
admission. ! certainly shall not
trouble her again. a
But where is she?" again de-
manded the earl. secretly admiring
his wife's spirit
You had better summon her maid,
and inquire" replied he countess, in
differently; Il know nothing of her"
Lord Bayneham quilted the room,
equally angry at Barbara Earle's easy
nonehalance and his mothers pride
Where is your lady?" he inquired
Of Pauline. who began to fiatter her
self that the young lord liked talking
to her.
MY lady is out" she replied, "Tbs
carriage was ordered some hours
since. and has not yet returned"
Lord Bayneham gave a sigh of min.
gled relief and Impotence.
did she-dfd your lady say w ere
she was going? he inquired.
No was the reply; 'my lady only
said she was going for a long drive.
She looked very Ill, my lord and quite
unfit to be out long"
Lord Bayneham stamped his foot i'm
patiently. Why had he gone to ouls-
ton? Why had he allowed anything or
any one to come between him and his
fair, gentle wife? He was ashamed to
ask any more questions, or people
would surely think him childish. But
he could not remain in the house; he
went out, and walked again, where he
could see the high road, and catch the
first glimpse of the carriage. One
hour passed, and there was no sign
of the carriage. The evening began
to set in, the sun sank In the golden
west, the dew fell upon the flowers,
and the birds called all wander ors
home to their nests" but still Lord
Bayneham paced the walk alone, until
he heard the dressing-ben ring.
"She must be here soon." said the
young husband to himself.
Amongst his wife's qualities, he had
always admired the one Of punctuality.
He never remembered to have been
kept waiting, or to have seen her late.
This comforted him She knew the
dinner hour and would not remain be-
yond It.
Lulu LAY ACAd4A4 AEfCA AtG6SGu 81
quickly. but, when he descended, the
Garage had not arrived. The first
and second BEN rang. and dinner was
announced, but the young mistress OF
Bayneham was not in her accustomed
place.
What can have delayed Hilda?" In
'quired Miss Earle anxiously. "she
went out early this az moon, intend
ing to take long e Surely no
accident can have hL.pened?"
Lord Bayneham's face blancAed at
the thought
Accidents are not so common, Bar
bara, said Lady. Bayneham; IF any
thing of that kind had occurred we
should have heard OF it before this.
Lady Hilda has been absent many
hours; I presume she has met with
some Of our friends or neighbors, who
have persuaded her to return with
them
"She is too thoughtful and consider
ate to have done such a thing said
Barbara, warmly knowing we should
be anxious"
Inc countess saw that her son sent
plate after plate away untouched, and
frank wine eagerly, as though wishing
either to drown thought or acquire
strength The dinner passed in a
most uncomfortable state of silence,
but no Lady Hilda returned.
4 cannot bear this" said Lord Bay
neham, rising hastily from his chair.
"Mother-Barbara am seriously
alarmed. Pauline says my poor wife
looked v"ry Ill when she left the
house. 1tother, be pitiful; she is
young and has no mother Barbara,
what can we do?"
Both ladies rose and triei to calm
him for his wild words startled them.
You had better inquire If any one
oyerheardn what orders were give
about the carriage" said the countess
to her son DO not be alarmed,
Claud Hilda is safe. am sure.
Barbara, go tn her room. She may
have left note there for us"
lord 4-ayneham went out and found
the groom who usually helped the
coachman, and he had heard all that
passed. The goodman asked where
he ~h'uld drive and her Iadyship re-
piled to Oulston, and ne was to wait