Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-08

the countess. and before be could
speak Lord Leycester took the bun b.
the horns. as it we're.
~Liliaa is delighted with the
sketch" be said. we left her flied
with gratitude, did we not Miss Ethe-
ridge?"
Stella Inclined her head The large
serene eyes Of the countess seemed
to penetrate % the bottom of her
heart and read her-their-seeret a.
ready.
For a moment Stella was silent and
dOwncast, then she raised her eyes
and held out her hand.
Il think we must be going, Stella
the fly has been waiting some time,
said her uncle in his quiet fashion.
so soonl" murmured the countess
But Mr.. Etheridge glanced at the
lock with a smile, and Stella held on;
her hand. a.?
As she did so, she felt rather than
saw the graceful form of Lady Lsnore
coming toward them.
Are you going, Miss Etheridge?
she said, her clear voice full of re-
greet. I'VE have seen s. little Of you;
and meant to ask you so much about
Italy. l am so sorry."
And as she spoke, she looked full
into poor Stelsa's eyes.
1T Is late" she murmured. Eyes,
we must go"
AS she looked up, she met the gaze
of the violet eyes, and almost started,
for there seemed TO be shining in
them a significant smile Of knocking
scorn and contemptuous amusement;
they seemed to say, quite plainly:
you think that no one knows your
secret. You think that you have
triumphed, that you have won him.
Poor simple child, poor fool. Wait
and see!"
If ever eyes spoke, this Is what
Lady Ignores seemed to say in that
momentary glance and as Stella
turned aside. her face paled slightly.
you must come an see us again,
Miss Etheridge," said he countess,
graciously.
Lillian has ex orted a solemn prom
Use to that effect" said Leycester, as
he shook hands with Mr. Etheridge.
Then he held out his hand to Stella,
but in spite of prudence he could not
part from her till the last moment.
Let me take you to your carriage, $
he said, and see that you are well
wrapped up
the countess's eyes grew cold, and
she looked beyond hem rather than
at them, and Stella murmured some
thing about trouble, but he laughed
softly, and drawing her hand on his
arm led her away.
All the room saw it, and sort Of
thrill ran through them; it was an
at, ention he paid only to such old
and honored friends as the old coun-
tess and Lenore."
"Oh, why did you Gomez" whispered
Stella. as they reached the hall. The
countess looked so angry.
He smiled.
II could not help it, There, not Il
word more. Now let me wrap this
round you" and, of course, as he
wrapped II round her, he managed 10
convey q caress in the touch of his
hand
Remember. my darling" he muir
INJURED. almost dangerously loud, as
he put her into the fly. Tomorrow
at six"
Then he Stood bareheaded, and the
last Stella saw was the light of ten.
der. passionate love burning in his
dark eyes.
She sank back in the furthermost
corner of the fly in silent, rapt reflee-
ton. Was 1t all a dream? Was it
only a trick of fancy, or did she feel
his passionate kisses on her lips and
face entangled In her hair. Had she
really heard Lord Leycester Wynd-
ward declare that he loved her?
Are you asleep, Stellar" said her
Unc'e. and she started.
NO. not asleep dear" she said.
"But-but tired and so happy!" The
word slipped out before she was
aware OF It.
To be continued.