Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-05
CHAPTER V.


For love lay lurking in the clouds
and mist,
/ heard him singing sweetiy on
the mountain side:
otis all in vain you fly, for every
where am L
In every quiet valley, on every
mountain side!"
In the clear, bird-like tones OF
Stella's voice the musical words
fioated from the open window of her
room above and through the open
French windows of the old mans
stud 0.
With little start he turned his
head away from the easel and looked
toward the door.
Stella had only been in the house
three days, but he had already learned
something of her habits, and knew that
when he heard the beautiful voice
sing .ng at the window in the early
morning, he might expect to see the
owner of the voice enter shortly.
! His expectation was not doomed to
disappointment. The voice sounded
on the stairs, in the hail. and a
moment afterward the door opened
and Stella stood looking smilingly into
the room.
/, Ii he had thought her beautiful and
winsome on that first evening Of her
coming, when she Nas weary with anx-
iety and travelling, and dressed IN
dust-stained clothes, be sure he
thought her more beautiful still, now
that light heart felt free to reveal It.
self, and the shabby dress had given
place to the white and simple but still
graceful morning gown.
Mrs. Penfold had worked hard dur
ing those three days, and with the aid
of the Dulverfield milliner had sue
ceeded in filling a small wardrobe ior
cher young lady" as she had learned
to call her. The old artist, ignorant
of the power of women in such direc-
ton, had watched the transformation
with inward .amazement and delight,
and was never tired of hearing about
dresses, and hats, jackets, and eapes.
and was rather disappointed than
otherwise when he found that the
grand transformation had been eff
fected at very small cost.
Bright and beautiful she stood, like
a vision of youth ard health in the
doorway, her dark eyes laughingly con-
templating the old mans geptle stare
of wonder,-the look which always
came into his eyes when she appeared.
did disturb you by my piping,
uncle?" she asked as she kissed him.
ooh no, my DEAR he answered, II
like to hear you'll like to hear you.
She leant against his shoulder. AMI
looked at his work.
How beautiful it isl" she muir
INJURED. How quickly it grows. 1
heard you come down this morning,
and | meant to get up, but was so
tired-lazy, wasn't ~
mo, mol" he said, eagerly. II am
sorry l disturbed you. 4 came down
as quietly as could | knew you
would be tired after your dissipat on.
Z Ou must bS4l rue edlA dUouL IL
YES, come to breakfast and l will
tell you"
Must II" he said. glancing at his
picture reluctantly.
He had been in the habit Of eating
his breakfast by instaliments, painting
while he ate a mouthful and drank his
cup of coffee. but Stella insisted upo
his changing what she called YER,
wicked habit.
Eyes, of course! See how nice it
looks" and she drew him gently to
the table end forced him into a chair.
The old man submitted with n
sigh that was not altogether one of re-
greet, and still humm ng she sat OPP
posite the urn and began to Gil the
cups.
"And did you enjoy yourself?" he
asked, gazing at her dreamily
| To he continued