Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-27
Continued

from looking round the marquee lest
he should see Norah. and. forgett.1g
Becca, be forced to go up to her.
Give me a glass of champagne,
please he said 20 the footman in at
tendance. and, having got it, he went
outside again.
Becca had ceased crying, but she
was still shaken by dry little sObs.
There" said Cyril, drink that, and
then run away and dance. Take my
word for it, Becca, there is scarcely
any thing in the world worth crying
over" he added, bitterly, as he thought
Of his own trouble.
Becca took the wine in both her
trembling hands and drank it, then
she looked up at Cyril, with strange
expression in her face.
You're-you're very kind to me,
sir" she said.
"Oh, nonsense" said Cyril, rather
impatiently; he was anxious to be o..
The man who would turn from a
woman in distress, you know, Are
you all right now?"
But it seemed as if there were still
something troubling Becca, which even
tho glass Of unwonted champagne
could not dispeL
Mr.-Mr.-Burne," she faltered. Il
II ogcht to have told you" Then
she stopped
What ought you TO have told me
said Cyril, half absently
Becca's face grew red, and she
looked at his boots and plucked at the
Aounee Of her dress irresolutely and
nervously.
'Tt's-it's something I've found, i" she
said.
Something of mine. Becca? Well,
what is it," and he smiled. Don't be
so frightened. don't suppose it's
anything of consequence"
Il meant to give it to you when
saw YOU said poor Becca, falteing
for the first time In her life over a
fib; "but-but # slipped my mind
Here it is" and she held out the ring
which she had taken from her pocket
and held in her hand while he had
gone for the champagne.
oh. my ring" he said. carelessly
Why. is that what has been troubling
you? or partly, Ell? What silly child
you are! Why, don't care any
thing about it; and, see here. Beeca,
findings are keepings. AS you've
fond it. you shall have it,
He spoke thoughtlessly, and with
the carelessness characteristic OF
him It did not occur to him that
there was any fmprudence or fndiscre-
ton in giving tvsopenny-halfpenn
ring to a girl who had happened to
find il
You shall have it if you like.
Becca he said.
ooh, sir"
There you are, said Cyril. Here.
hold out your hand, and TIL put IT on
for you
Becea, smile struggling upon aer
face, held up her hand. and at that
moment two persons came to the open
ing Of the marquee and looked out.
They were Guilford Berton AMI
Norah.
"A lovely night, but dark" he said.
II think did right in advising you to
get breath Of fresh air, Lady No7aIl
She was about to make some regly
when her eyes fell upon Cyril ana
Becca. Cyril's back was turned to-
ward Norah, and Becca was too intent
upon Cyril 70 see the pair looking at
them
1T fits as If 1t were made for you.
Cyril said as he slipped the ring N
her finger
BecGa's eJ es filed with tears as she
looked at the ring-stolen property no
longer, but her own, her very own.
Then she took Cy1il's hand and put II
to her lips
Cyril started and almost snatcAed
his hand away, and there flashed upon
him for the first time during the tran
saction the doubt as to it's wisdom.
"Oh. come he said, don't make a
fuss about such a trumpery present.
Becca anu let me take you back to the
tent"
GulIford Berton had stood looking
from Cyril and Becca to Norah with
CLEAN Of qualification in his DIRK
eyes He felt Norahs arm culver as
if a spasm of pain had shaken her. and
saw her face grow slowly white; then
in low voice said:
I'm afraid we are intruding upon a
little love scene. and are rather lie
trop. Let us efface ourselves.
Will you take me to Lady Fern.
dale, Mr. Berton?" and in silence he
led her to the line Of dowagers at the
other end Of the room, and, with a
low, reverential boz, left her.
Meanwhile Cyril had taken Becca's
arm, and was hurrylng her to the tent;
but at the door Becca drew back nan
shyIy.
Il don't want to 30 back just
yet" she murmured You go and
leave me, Mr. Bu-ne. I've given yea
trouble enough already"
You'd like to stay in the air a little
while longer? Very well Becca: sc
and sit down again until you feel an
right" he said, and with nod and
smile he left her, feeling, if the truth
must be told, greatly relieved He OIL
tered the marquee during an interval