Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-06

Even clever men have their weak
moments. and in one OF these weak
moments Guilford Berton had allowed
himself to be smitten by Becca South's
black eyes. He had begun by meet
ing her secretly and flirting with her.
and almost insensibly he had driftec
into promising 70 marry her
She was pretty and fresh; her halt
wild, defiant manner had taken rs
fancy: but some time before Norah
had appeared on the scene he had
grown tired of Becca, and now she
threatened to be very much in his
way, notwithstanding that she had
been unintentionally of such use to
him tonight.
As he walked along he tried to
think what he should do with her.
Becca was not easy to get rid of. He
might. if he had set about it earlier,
have procured her a good situation in
London, but Norah had by taking
Becca into her service, all uncon-
sciously destroyed his chance of get
ting rid of her N that way.
As to marrying her! He smiled
sardonically at the thought.
The person he meant to marry was
Lady Norah, not Recca South, the
village girl who HAD served to amuse
him and while away a dull hour or
two.
Perhaps, he thought, he might offer
her money but there was not much
encouragement in tn id2a Becco
was not the kind Of girl to be Iougnt
off; but still ne might try it.
He put her cut of his mind after a
few minutes, and walked on slowly,
smoking his cigar-a very good one
ana building castles IN the air.
What fortune and a career lay be-
fore him! AS the husband of lady
Norah and the owner of the Arrow
dale wealth he would be almost the
most important person in the county
he, who had been looked down upon
by the swells He would pay tken;
back in some way when his day cane!
He would sho,, hem that the stew
ards son could be as good and rs
grand a gentleman as any of them.
He was enjoying himself in this
fashion when he reached the small
door in the high wall of his cherries
cottage, and had inserted the key in
the lock, when he felt a touch upon
his arm, and voice said
4uilford!"
He turned. and saw Becca standing
in che shadow beside him, and with
difficulty repressed the oath of impa
thence and annoyance which rose u
his lips.
The touch and voice of the girl 6
had deceived knocked down his cas-
ties IN the air hike house of card :
but his voice was as composed and
suave as usual as he said in a tone OF
pleasant surprise:
All, is that you, Becca?"
Yes, it's me. Il want to speak
to you, Mr. Berton'
IAN right, Miss South. Why Becca
why am / Mister Berton, instead OF
| 'Guilford,' eh?" and he tired to take
her hand and draw her to him, hui
Becca put per hand behind her ind
drew back. What! In one of your
tantrums again. Becca?" he saiu smil
ing. What's the matter now? Are
you offended because / didn't dance
with you tonight
MOI replied Becca.
We'll I'm glad of that because II
/ would have been unreasonable. You
know how careful We have to be
I Becca. We don't want all the WORT
in our confidence, do we? We dom
want all Santleigh and Parkhan
chatterng about our little affairs
eh?'
/ Becca looked at him with a mixture
of distrust and anxiety Her face
was gae, and ner eyes we're swoll ar
! with crying. but there was an expires
sion. Of determination in them which
Guilford Berton did not fail to notice
What is it you want to say to ME
Becca?" he asked after moment
pause during which he was wonaeF
ing how he could get rid of her.