Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-16

every one amused; or would you like
to be alone?"
Read to me if you viii be so kind"
she replied, for she dreaded being
alone again; she knew thinking would
almost become madness.
The young earl sat by her side;
unconsciously one hand fingered on
her golden hair, Were lately her
mothers dying hand had lain. He
read in soft, low voice. She drew
his hand from her hair, and pressed it
to her lips. She would have gwen the
John d. Rockfarer and his associates
world, poor child, to have told him
her secret He looked so calm ana
! sssss'9ng; even should he send her from
him, as unworthy of his name, it would
be better than the slow torture Of sus-
pense she must undergo; but the VOW
made to her dying mother sealed her
| lips OF deeply religiousand reYer-
ent natuhe, it seemed to her se.cri-
| lege to dream of breaking it.
Wave after wave of thought rushed
over her heart and mind while the soft
tone Of her bJsband's voice sounded
| like soothing melody in her ears.
Wearied and dred, and exhausted by
want Of SLEEP and grief, the violet eyes
closed gently, and Lady Hilda for a
time forgot all her sorrows.
Lord Bayneham saw that sae had
fallen asleep; he closed his book and
watched the fair young face he loved
SO well. Half an hour passed, and
then eaar,g came over the sleeper.
He saw her lips CULVER while long
drawn signs parted them; then she
started up crying, III was not my fault,
Claud,-I knew nothing Of it. Do not
seEd me away!"
My darling" said her husband,
gently, you are DIRE nj g. What is
! the matter?
i thought you were angry with me-
she said, confusedly.
Which shows how foolish dreams
are, said Lore Bayneham; hills will
become valleys, and the seas turn into
dry land, before that comes to russ
Would nothing ever cause .rou t)
love me less?" she asked, wistfully.
Nothing, my pretty Blue-beI," he
replied; Il do not think I could love
you more, and I am certain shall never
love you less Now l win leave you.
You will perhaps Sleep, and nave to
drive over TO Laleham to-day"
He held her in his arms before be.
went away, and kissed her pale, sweet
face, murmuring words of love tina,
filed her heart with a pleasure that
was keen pain.
"li he knew" thought the poor girl;
If he knew"
Until the dressfagbell rang she lay
quiet and motionless; one might have
| thought her dead or asleep Once
| Barbara Earle came in with a glass of
rare wine. She found her awake, but
with a strange expression on her face.
Drink this, Hilda' said Miss Earle;
1t is almost magical; you viii feel
quite well after it. Lady Bayneham
asked me to bring 1t myself"
She Is very kind" said Hilda,
YEARLY, the same sad thought run.
ming through her mind--"what would
she say if she knew?"
rs anything wrong, Hilda?" asked
Miss Earle, looking steadily at the
fair, sad face; you are tired. But
YOU seem to me more frightened than
ILL., Surely you have not seen any of
the Bayneham ghosts. Claud firmly
believes in them"
I shall be we'll SOON" said Eflda.
evasively thinking, poor child. how
truly Barbar. spoke. She had seen
the ghosts of her youth and happi-
ness; no wonder she looked pale and
scared.
When she was once more left alone,
Hilda tried to rouse herself from the
bewildered state she had fallen into.
They will suspect me soon,o she
said. unless can recover myself"
She thought, with cold shudder of
dread, what the consequences of de
lection must be. She did not care foj
her husbands title, his rank, position.
or wealth; but she loved him, and wiCn-
out him life would be a burden she
could not bear. Tilda inherited much
Of her mothers loving, constant
nature.
Fear helped her. She chose her
prettiest dress and rarest jewels. The
golden hair was entwined with gleam
ing pearls. With the shining of jewels
it was difficult to detect how pale and
changed the lovely face was. Lord
Bayneham was delighted to see his
wife recovered; he kept near her. and
lavished delicate and loving attentions
, upon her
My Bluebell was never intended
for dollhouse he said, laughingly;
and even Lady Bayneham had a kind
word
Il have missed you very much all
day" she said touching the fair face
gently with her proud lips; we must
take more care of you Hilda. You
are not strong"
She sat at the head of that sumpt-
uously appointed table. trying to talk
and laugh as others did. but the whole
time there was 8 strong impulse upon
her, urging her to cry aloud that she
was an impostor who had no place
therc-a convicts daughter. who ought
never to have been an earls wife
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