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


cd to her the type Of knightly chivalry
and courtesy.
4 should have remembered hoa
pure and delicate a flower my beauti-
full love was" he murmured. Il should
have remembered that my love was a
star, to be approached with reverence
aud awe, not taken by storm. [ have
been too presumptuous; but, oh, Stel-
la, you do not know what such love
as mine is! 1t is like a mountain tor
rent hard to stem; it sweeps all before
1t. That is my love for you, Stella.
And now. what viii you say to me?'
AS he spoke he drew her still nearer
to him; she could feel his breath
stirring her hair, could almost hear
the passionate beating of his heart.
What should she say to him? If
she allowed her heart to SPEAK she
would hide her face upon his breast
and whisper-"Take me-" But, girl as
she was, she had some idea Of all that
divided them; the very place in which
they stood was eloquent OF the differ
ence between them; between him, the
future lord of Wyndward, and she, the
poor painters niece.
win you not speak 10 me?" he
muTmured. Have you not single
word for me? Stella, if you knew how
long to hear those beautiful lips an
swer me with the words have spoken
Stella, you'd give all possess in the
world t. hear you say, i love you!' .
mo. no." she said, again, almost
pantingly. DO not ask me-do not say
any more. III cannot bear it"
His race nusnea noIiy Tor moment
but he held her tightly, and his eyes
searched hers for the truth.
Does it pain you to hear that love
your he whispered. Are you angry
sorry? Can you not love me, Stella!
Oh. my darling!-let me call you my
darling, mine, If only for once, for one
short minute! See, you are mine,
hold you in both hands! Be mine foI
short minute at least, while you
answer me. Are you sorry? Can you
not give me a little love in return foI
all the love bear you? Cannot you
Stellar"
Painting now, and with the rich col
or coming and going on her face, she
looked this way and that like some
wild, timid animal seeking to escape
DO rot press me, do not force me
to speak" she almost moaned. LIE
me go now"
mo, by Heayen!" he says, almos
fiercely. You shall not, must not go
until you have answered me. Tell me
Stella. is it because am nothing t
you. and you do not like to tell me
so? All better the truth at once, hare
as 1t may be to hear. than suspense
Tell me, Stella"
'It-it--is not that, she says. viii
dropping head.
What is 1t, then?' he whispers
and he bends his head to catch hel
family whispered words. 50 that hi
lirs almost touched her face.
From the drawing room comes tbs
sound of some one playing; 1t recalls
all the grandeur of the scene, AL tbs
high mightiness of the house Il
which he belongs-of which he is 81
nearly the head, and it gives he
strength. y
Slowly she raises her head ant
looks at him.
There is infinite tenderness, infinite
yearning, and suppressed maldenly
passion in her eyes
! 1T is not that" he says. 'But-dt
You forget?''
Forget" he asks, patiently, gently
though his eyes are burning with i'm
petuous cagerness.
DO you forget who am-who YOU
are?" she says, family.
Il forget everything except that yol
you are to me the most lovely an'
precious of creatures on Gods EARTH
he says. passionately. Then, witt
touch OF his characteristic prii
What need have TO remember a.
thing else, Stellar"
But have" she said. "0h yes, 70
me to remember. cannot ought no
to forget. 1t is for me TO remember.
am only Stella Etheridge, an artist
niece. a nobody--an insignificant girl
and you--oh. Lord Leyc,a4ter!"
And l." he says. as IL ready t.
meet her fairly at every point
To be continued.