Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-03-04
Continued.

blue eyes regarding the fresh, health
.ul beauty of the other with sad, visit
tul gaze. Then Lady Lillian spoke.
What beautiful primroses? You
have been gathering them on the
slopes?" with a suggestion of sigh.
Eyes" said Stella "WiH you take
them?"
ooh, no. no; I could not think Of
ro5biDg you"
Stella smiled with her characteristic
archness.
at is l who have been the thief
1 have been taking what did not be-
long to me. You viii take these?"
Lady Lillian was too well bred to
refuse; besides, she thirsted for them.
IF you will give them to me, and
will not mind picking some more" she
said.
Stella laid the bunch on the costly
sanles which wrapped the frail figure.
Lady Lillian put them to her face
with a caressing gesture.
You are, like me, fond of flowers p
she said
Stella nodded. eyes"
Then Unere was a pause. Above
them. unseen by Lillian, forgotten by
Stella, stood Lord Leyees1sr
He was watching and waiting WITH
strange smile. He could read tn
meaning in his sisters eyes; she was
longing to know more of the beautiful
girl wh5 had sprang like a fairy to
her side.
with a faint flush. Lady Lillian said
You-yon are a stranger. are YOU
not? mean you do not live here?
Yes" said Stella: Il live"-and She
smiled and pointed to the cottage
across the meadow there"
Lady Lillian started. and Lord Ley
eester siezed the moment, and coming
down quietly stood by Stella's side
Leycester!' exclaimed Lillian, with
a start Of surprise.
he smiled into her eyes, his strange,
masterful irresistible smile, It was as
if he had said Did I not tel you?
Can you Withstand her?'
But aloud he said:
let me make the introduction in
due form. This is Miss Ethridge, Lii
ian. Miss Etheridge, this is my SIS
ter. AS the French philosopher said,
Know each other.
Lady Lillian held out her hand.
Il am very glad she said.
Stella took the thin, white hand. and
held it for q moment; then Lady Lii
ian looked from OH. to the other.
Lord Leycester interpreted the
glance at once.
Miss Etherldge has intrusted her
self on the watery deep with me" he
said. I'VE came across to gather
flowers. leaving Mr.. Etheridge to paint
there"
And he waved his hand across the
river.
Lady Lillian looked
4 see, she sa5d-'T see. And he
is painting Is he not clever? How
proud you must be Of him.
Stella's eyes grew dark. 1t was the
one word wanting 10 draw them To
gether she said not word
Your uncle and are old friends,
Lady Lillian continued. Sometime
wben-wheu l am stronger. l am com
ing 10 see him-when the weather
gets warmer" Stella glanced at the
fran form claa in sabIes, with a
mo.stened EYE am going to spend
long afternoon among the pictures.
He is always SO kind and patient, and
explains them all to me. But, as l am
not abe to come to you, you will come
and see me. will you not?"
There was a moments silence.
Lord Leycester drew breath, almost
of relief,
You will, will you not?" said Lady
Liliaf, with a sweet smile.
Yes. will come said Stella. al
most solemnly.
You viii find me poor company,
said the daughter of the great earl,
with meek humility. ST see so little
of the world that l grow duh and ig-
norant; but shall be so glad to see
you" and she held out her hand
Stella took it In her warm, soft fin
gers.
Il WIN come" she said.
Lady Lillian looked at the coachman,
who though lis eyes were fixed in
quite another direction, seemed to see
the glance, for he touched the horses
with the whip.
Goodbye" she said, "g1od-by."
Then. as the phaeton moved on. she
called out in her low. musical voice.
that was low echo of her brothers:
''Oh, Leycester, Lenore has COME"
LEICESTER raised his hat.
Very well" he said Goodbye.
Stella stood moment looking after
hr Strangely enough the last words
! rang in her ears with a seL5eless kim
OF ins!stance and emphasis "Lenor1
has. comet" She found herself repeat
ing them mentally
Recalling herself she turned swiftly
TO lord LEICESTER.
How beautiful she IS" she said.
almost in a whisper.
He looked at her with gratitude in
his eloquent ewes.
",es."
90 beautiful and so knd," Stella
muir 'ured and the tears s6raug 70
her etae ~ oar, saa he, Faro now