Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-20
XVIII.

| XVIII.
When Lady Hilda opened her eyes
and saw her husband bending over her
a cry of fear and terror escaped her
/ Inns. The face that she had never
seen stern or angry before, was both
now; there was no smile on his lips,
such as was wont to greet her. An
xiety .ad sorrow mingled with impat-
fence, darkened his brow. Her Illness
alarmed him; he could not understand
it.
Did frighter ZIilda?" he whis-
pered, gently. fl your hands trem-
/ Bile! Surely, you are rot afra!d OF
me. l have never been angry with
you, love; only do not understand.
She tried to answer him, but her
oyer-wrought nerves gave way, and
she wept passionately, bitterly, as one
who had no hope. He soothed her
with gentle words, Fuch as one uses to
a greived child. Lady Bayneham
quilted the room; tears and caresses
were not in her line.
you shall not be leased any more,
just now," said Lord Bayneham
you have not strength to tell me
anything. Lie down again, and try
to sleep; it grieves me sorely to see
that face
Her passionate weeping was abated;
she lay passive and still. listening to
his voice with sick feeling of des-
pair.
Lord Bayneham gave Pauline strict
injunctlons that her lady was not
to be disturbed; he then left her,
hoping she would sleep.
His mother anxiously awaited
him, and asked hastily, What is 1t.
Claud?-why was Hilda frightened"
She is very ILL.," he replied sadly,
and nervous, not frightened. mother.
What can she have to fear? was
too abrupt"
Did she tell you how the brace
let came to be lying in the Lady's
Walk2" asked the countess. j.,
NO" replied her son: 'sha seemed
so Ill and unlike herself that I did
not mention it. I am sure 1t is all
right, mother" he continued, seeing
the expression or her face; ''we
shall find it no mystery after all.
My wife can make all clear IN a
few words"
Despite his assertion, the morning
wore on heavily for Lord Bayneham.
Two things weighed upon his mind
the notes he had heard his wife
had received, and the fact of find
ing her bracelet in the Lady's Walk.
1t might be all nonsenSe-the notes
nothing more than a memoranT UNI
but the bracelet There he
paused there were but two solu-
tons to the mystery: either she, his
sweet and gentle young wife had
been therefor what motive he
could not imagine. or some one had
tentative he felt to be unpleasant.
Stall he was far from being of sus-
padous nature, and would have
rested perfectly satisfio1 with one
word of excuse but foi the deadly
fear which blanehed his wife's face
when she saw the bracelet in his
hand There was no explanation for
that; to feel fear she must be con
scious of wrong; yet what wrong
could he imagine her capable Of
at gentle quileless girl, whose mind
and soul were as pure as an un-
stained lily:
He tried to make himself feel sure
that Hilda would clear away all the
unpleasant mystery by a few simple
words. Twice he went to the door
of her room. and heard with half i'm.
patient satisfaction that she still
slept; and it was long after midday
when Pauline told him her lady was
awake, but seemed very i'll He
looked with uiutterable establishment
upon the change in the fair young
face wrought in these few hours.
Could 1t be mere
that had blanched even the lips and
darkened the violet eyes with so deep
ashadof? Was It illness that caused
MY mother thought that on
her to clasp her hands, when she saw
him, as one does who prays in NOR
agony?
"Hilda," he said, you look as
though you had suffered terribly
What is it? No trouble can have
come to you without my knowing It.
What makes you i'll? Why do you
look so strangely at me? What has
come between us?"
He waited, but she spoke not a
J word.
You would never keep any secret
from me, l know" he continued. "or
| should fancy that something ter,
rible weighed upon your mind. Do
not look so sad. Raise your eyes TO
mine, love; and II aught troubles you
tell me,--let me share it,"
He clasped one arm round her. ard
drew her golden head close to him
Has any one insulted or annoyed
your? he asked gently.
NO" she replied.-"what could
make you think OF such thing?"
Are you sure. Hilda." he asked
that you have BEEN subject to annoy.
ance from any OF our guests?"