Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-19

connected with MS name, and 1t soo1
came to pass that no desperate thing
was done within the circle of the class
but he was credited with being the
ringleader, or at least with having a
hand in It.
II was said that at that select and
notorious club, The Rookery," Lord
LEICESTER was the most desperate Of
gamblers and persistent OF losers. Ru-
NOR went so far as to declare that
even the Wyndward estates could not
stand the inroads which his losses al
the gambling table were making. 1t
was rumored, and not contradicted,
that he had plunged" on the turf, ana
that his stud was one of the largest
and most expensive in England.
The society papers were full OF in
sinuating paragraphs of its speedy and
disastrous termination. He was com.
pared with the lost characters OF past
nerations-likened to Lord Norbury
the Marquis Of Waterford, and similar
dissipated individuals. His handsome
face and tall, thin, but still stalwarr
figure, had become famous, and people
nudged each other and pointed bin
out when he passed along the fashion
abiy-frequented thoroughfares.
His rare appearance in the haunts
Of society occasioned the deepest I'm
terest and curiosity.
One enterprisiDg photographer had
managed, by the exercise of vast in
genuity, to procure his likeness, and
displayed copies in his window; but
they were speedily and promptly with
drawn.
There was no reckless hardihood
with which he was not credited. Men
were proud Of possessing a horse
that he had ridden, because their cap
ability OF riding it proved their cour-
age.
Scandal seized upon his name and
made a hearty and neyer-ending meal
of It. and yet, by some strange phe-
nomenal chance, no one heard it con
nected with that of woman.
Some said that he drank hard, rode
hard, end played hard. and that he
was fast rushing headlong to ruin, but
no one ever limited that he was drag
ging a member of the fair sex with
him
He was seen occasionally In drags
bound TO Richmond, or at Bohemian
.,a~t;.. 4, GO Tcbpsr Wood buf mn
woman could boast that he was her
special conquest.
1t was said that he had suddenly &C.
quired a distinct distaste for female
society. and that be had been heard to
declare that, but for the women, the
world would still be worth living in.
II was verv sad; society was
shocked as well as curious, dismayed
as well as intenseI., interested.
Mothers with marriageaWe daugE. ars
openly declared that somt,-.ng ought
to be done. that It was impossible that
such a man, the heir to such title
and estates should be allowed to
throw himself away. The deepest
pity was expressed for Lady Wynd-
ward. and one or two of the aforesaid
mammas had ventured, with some tre-
mors, to mention his case to that
august lady. But they got little foi
their pains, save calm, dignified,
and naughty rebuff Never, by word,
look, or sign did the countess display
the sorrow which was imbittering her
life.
The stories of his illdoings could
not fail TO reach her ears, seeing that
they were common talk, but she never
flushed or even WINGED. She knew
when she entered a crowded room,
and a sudden silence fell, to be fol-
lowed ny a spasmodic attempt ut
conversation, that those assembled
were speakir., of her son, but by no
look or word did she confess to thar
knowledge.
Only in the secrecy of her own
chamber did she let loose the food
gates Of her sorrow and admit her
despair. The time had come when
she felt almost tempted to regret that
he had not MARI d the little girl
the painters neice" and settled down
in his own way.
She knew that II was broken Off /;
she knew. or OWNED that some plot
had brought about the separation, bur
she had asked no questions, not even
OF Lenore. who was now her constant
companion and chosen friend
Between them Leycester's nam ?
was rarely mentioned Not even from
her husband would she hear aught of
accusation against the boy who had
ever been the one darling of her life.
Once Old Lady LongfOrd had pro-
ncunced his name, had spoken a
couple o. words or so. bat even she
could not get the mother TO unburden
her heart
What is to be done?" the old lady
had asked. one morning.when the pa
pers had appeared with an account OF
a mad exploit in which the -ell.known
Initials Lord L--W--had clearly
indicated his completely.
I DO not know" she had replied,
Il do not think there is anything 10
be done"
10 YOU mean that he is to be al
lowed 10 so on like this, TO DRIFT 10
ruin without hand TO stay him?' de-
manded the old lady almost wrathfully;