Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-02

thing extraordinary in her Iady's pro-
ceedings, she made no comment.
The air was cold and bleak, the
sky dull and Ieaden; there was
gray mist that hid the trees as Lady
Hilda went on her way through the
park. Once a new idea came to her,
and made her pause.
Suppose it should be a plan to
rob me-" She thought. "But robbers
and thieves could fear no question
that should be asked in another
world"
She reached the cottage at last
Mrs. Paine was up, and busily On
gagged preparing breakfast. She
looked dazzled and confused when
Lady Hilda, her face glowing with
rise, stood suddenly before her.
You have someone here veSy Ill, !"
said Lady Hilda. who wishes to
see me-"
The old woman made 2 profound
reverence to the golden-ha ed lacy.
ut viii be my ledger, suppose.
my lady" she relpied. Isl begged
me to take note to you st even
ing; she is very ill.-like to die, the
doctor says, any minute"
Lady Hilja was relieved to find it
was a woman who wished to see her.
"She lies upstairs, my lady" con-
tinued Mrs. Paine Shall l go up
with you, my LADY,"
! NO" she replied, Il need not
trouble you. The poor creature
wants some little assistance, have
no doubt. will go alone"
j Even as Lady Hilda went up the
narrow staircase she heard those
solemn words.-"From the threshold
of eternity l summon you" The
mystery was soon to be solved. She
knocked gently at the door of the
room, ard a faint sweet voice babe
!, her enter.
When, in after years, did Lady
!. Hilda forget the scene? The room was
small, but clean, and even pretty.
There was a little white bed with
white hangings, a neat toilette table
with a few ornaments a little table
, stood near the bed; small fire
burned cheerily in the CRATE.
. Lady Hilda entered the room quietly,
moving gently. lest any sound should
, annoy the one who lay dying there.
She went up TO the bedside, and then
. uttered low cry of surprise. White
and worn with deep shade upon it,
, lay the same beautiful face she had
seen in the summer. The woman be
fore her was the one who had asked
!, her so long ago for a flower at the
lodge gate. The sad, large eyes
seemed to burn as, they looked at
her; the lips trembled and quivered,
) but could not utter a word.
You wished to see me-" said Lady
;. Hilda, bending over her. 81 came as
soon as l could. I have disturbed
you. Wait few minutes, and then
you will be better able to speak to
me-"
The burning eyes closed as she
spoke, and Lady Hilda stood silently
gazing at the beautiful sad face, won
dering what was the story it told.
Deep lines of sorrow were on the
broad white brow and round the lips.
AS she gazed upon the face, it
seemed in some strange way to be-
come familiar to her, as though
years ago she had seen and loved it
in her dream then the faint sweet
voice was heard again.
! Are you Lady Hilda Bayneham
Yes" she replied, 81 am Lord Bay.
neham's wife"
you were Lady Hutton's vard?'
continued the sick woman.
Yes" said Lady Hilda quietly, "she
was my adopted mother 1 knew no
other
she stopped abruptly, for the dying
lips uttered a wild cry, and the
white face was turned to her with a
look of deadly anguish that was al
most despair.
/ To be continued.