Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-01
Continued.

nelk. Someone was playing the grand
piano. and the music foated IN and
about the tall palms. 1t was an III
toxIcating moment for him. the air
was balmy with perfumes from the
sxotics, the warm blood was running
freely in his veins, the beauty OF the
girl beside him seemed TO entrance
him. Instinctiyely his hand, being
idly near her, went toward hers, and
would have touched it but suddenly
one OF the maids entered, and with d
slow, respectful air approached them
She held a silver salver. on which lay
small note. folded In lovers knot
Lord LEICESTER looked up; the in
terruption came just in time.
For me?" he said.
For Miss Ethridge, my lord re-
Piled the maid, with a courtesy.
FOR me?" echoed Stella, taking the
note
Il can guess who 1t Is from, he
said. with smile. Lillian Is growing
impatient-if she is ever that"
stella unfolded the note. This was
It. "Wii you come to me now, II
sou care tor
oh, yes. 1 will 90 at once, she
said standing up.
He rose with a sigh.
1t is the first time / have envied
Lillian anything" he said, In low
voice.
This way. If you please. miss. said
the maid.
"A momeut--a moment only" said
Lord LEICESTER and as Stella stopped,
he gathered few sprays OF maiden
hair from the margin Of the fountain
ut Is peace-offering win you
take il to her? | promised that
would ask you to 30 directly after din
rer." he said, softly.
Yes," said stella. and as she took
IL here rose once more Ia her nina
the word Jasper Adelstone had spoken
tAfamous.1' This man who sent
his SISTER such message in such a
voice!
Thanks" he said But II was
bcarcaiy necessary. have sent her
something more beautiful. more preci.
QUE.
No. said Stella again, The voice
sounded Ike n,uaie iu her ears--she
could have listened forever while II
sung bis song: and yet that word sud
de4,ly rang out in discord, and she
SMILED He seems very kind she
suld--sae Is very Kind TO me-.
Lady Lillian looked at her suddenly
and an anxious expression came into
he. eyes. II was not many nights ago
that she had unplored Leycester 70
see no more Of the sir! with the dark
eyes and silky hair. aud here was
tho glrl sitting at her feet. and Il
was her doing, She had not thought
OF that before, sho had been SO tacin-
atea BY the fresh young beauty, by
the pure. frank eyes, that she had
actually acted against her own III
stincts, aud brought her into Leyces-
ters path!
Yea. he is very kind 10 everybody,
size said. And you have enjoyed
yomsei1E Aaye hey been singing?
Yes. Lady Beauohamp'
Lonore, said Lillian. eagerly All
yes. does she not sing beautifully aud
is she not loyely?"
She sings beautifully, and she Is
very lovely. said Stella, still looking
al the Madonna.
Lady Lillian laughed softly.
] attn very fond OF Lenore. You
Nll like her very much when You
know her better. She isl was going
10 sal very Imperial.
That would be right, said Stella,
"ehe is like a queen. only more beautl.
full than most queens have been,
4 am 50 glad y admire her. SAID
Lady l.ltlan, then che paused monl
eat, anG her white hand fell like j
thistle Gown ON the dark head beside
her. Shall tell you "A secretP'
Stella looked up, with smile.
Yes. I will promise to keep it,
Lillian smiled down at her,
how strangely ynd said that--so
grayely YesI think you would keer
a secret to the death, But this Is no.
one of that sort, II Is only this that
We hope, all OF Us, that Lenore will
become Biy sister
Stella d'd not start. did not remove
her eyes from the pale lovely face
but toto those eyes something came
,ha, Was not wonder nor pain. but q
strong indehnabie expression, as Il
she were holding her breath in the
effort 10 supres any sign Of feeling
ITO you mean that Lord Leycesteg
viii marry her. she said distinctly.
Lady Lillian nodded
Yes chat Is il Would it rot be
nicer
Stella smiled.
For Lord LEICESTER
LADY Lillian laughed her soft laugh
What a strange girl sou are she
said. smoothing the silky hair What
am { to say to that Well~yes q
course And tos ieaore. 100, shs
added. with a touch OF pride.
Yes. for Lady Lehore also" sad
stella. aud her eyes went hack 10 the
Madonna
We ara all SO anxious 20 see Ley
cester married. " went on Lady Lillian