Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-06


est in the coming visitor; indeed he J
never once entered her mind.
When dressed for dinner, Lady
Hilda went down as usual into the
drawingroom, where, as a rule, the
family assembled The sun. shining
still on the blooming flowers and rip
ping fountains, tempted her, and she
went out from the long, open French
window and walked down the path
where roses and lilies seemed to smile
welcome. On that day she wore
dress that enhanced her singular
beauty; it vas Of rich white crepe.
al 'sticalIy made. The golden hair
tina wav ed upon her white shapely
shol tefs was boun- by a simple
pref wreath Of jessamine, and she
lookeu like a goddess Of flowers as she
stood amongst them. Barbara Earle
Joined her there.
When Mr. Fulton entered the draw
ing-room his host led him up to Lady
Bayneharn. who received him with
that exquisite mixture of hauteur and
condescension that she knew so well
how to assume. She was somewhat
surprised; she had not expected to
see handsome, even fascinating man,
with polish ease and grace of man
ner that did not shame her own.
With a few well-chosen words she
babe him welcome to Bayneham.
Il will look for Lady Hilda and Miss
/ 10 ct De ~,
amongst the flowers, expect"
He passed out of the French win
dow, and Mr. Fulton, following him,
stood there, admiring the magnificent
gardens with their superb flowers. AS
his eyes roved earelessly from one
rose plant to another they fell upon
some object that made his heart stand
still. while his limbs shook in abject
terror. Who was that smiling amidst
the roses? Could 1t be Magdalen
Hurst come back in her youth and
beauty. risen again to shame and ex-
pose him? His eyes glared upon the
lovely face, and the graceful white
robed figure, the same sweet face, the
same clear, pure eyes and golden
crown of hair, and the same sweet
smile-the one she used to welcome
him with. 1t must be Magdalen. A
deep groan burst from him and the
strong man half staggered, fainting be-
meath the shock. He eou.- los Ike
his eyes from that face and figure.
But see!-it could be no apparition
for another figure-that Of a tall
stately lady with noble face-was
landing uear; and then he saw Lord
}ayneham join them with a smile up
an his lips
That could be apparition-it must
be real. He trembl : when the white
robed figure drew near; his face still
quiyered and his hands trembled when
Lord Bayneham introduced that beau.
tiful lady as his wife
Paul Fulton was too agitated for
thought. The sweet voice smote him
like sharp sword. he had last heard
{ cry out his name in utter despair.
He murmured some few confused
words in reply to Lazy Hilda's grace
full greeting. then turned almost
abruptly away.
! What is the natter" asked Lord
8ayneham, looking at his visitors
white, gfcated face. in alarm.
1T is nothing, replied Paul Fulton;
strong perfumes always ouerpower
ne; AMI your flowers, my lord, are
very fragrant"
There was a feeble murmur OF SYM
2athy, which he heard as one in a
dream; then Lady Baynenam told
! some wild anecdote of a gentleman
she had known who suffered acutely
/ from the same cause, and BERTHE tried
to expla'~ it philosophica1ly, thus Civ
ing the bewtldered man time to re-
cover himself; but his eyes were still
riyited on that ff.ce; he could not I'M
derstand the mystery But for the
Inference Of dress, he saw a complete
and perfect likeness OF his dead wife.
| Even the very arch of the graceful
| neck, the vivid glance of the eyes, and
the very motions Of the white hands.
were all here. He made a violent
effort to recover himself. for his
strange manner began to attract atten-
ton. Lady Bayneham thought it was
her daughterin-law' beauty that
startled him. The young earl looked
on in mute surprise wondering If 1t
could be possible that his guest was
falling In love with his wife before his
very eyes.
with desperate effort Paul Fulton
rallied; after all it could only be a re-
semblahce that dazzled him. During
dinner he talked to the countess, yet
at times the well-known music of that
voice thrilled through him and bewild-
dered him.
After dinner, and wnen the whole
'arty were assembled In the drawing
DOM, Lord Bayneham asked Hilda to
ing and she complied instantly with
is wish
The sun had set, and the cleaning
vas very fair and tranquil. In the
oft subdued light of the room the
fresh face and golden hair of the
young Lady Of Bayneham shone and
bright. When her red lips were
parted, a rich stream of passionate
melody came from between them,
F, charming all ears. and warming all
learts, but filling one mind with I'M