Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-05-20

NY
Il fear that you are" she said.
Did you not demand-ask is too com
monplace a word 10 describe a request
made by man Of woman alone and
unprotected-did you not demand
money, sir?I
Money!" he repeated; then be
smiled. You are laDoriug under d
misapprehension," he said Il am in
no need of money The assistance
need is NOT OF a pecuniary kind"
"Then what is it," she asked, and
he detected a touch Of curiosity in the
insolently-haught voice. Be good
lenough to state your desire as briefly
as you can, sir. and permit mo to 60
on my way"
Then he played a card.
With a low bow he raised his aat
Iaa6 arew tram the path
| II beg your ladyships pardon" ne
said, respectfully, but with a
scarcely feigned air Of disappointment
III see that | have made mistake.
apologize most humbly for having In
.truded upon your good nature, and 1
take my leave. wish your ladysbip
good-eyening; and he turned.
Lady Lenore looked after him with
cold disdain. then she bit her lip and
her eyes dropped, and suddenly, with.
out raising her voice, she said.
| watt"
He turned and stood with his hand
thrust in the breast of his coat. his
face calm and seif-possessed.
She paused a mf uent and eyed
him, struggling the truth were
known, and no ., he knew it, witt
her curiosity and her pride, which last
forbade her hold any further CONVERSE
with him. At last curiosity con
quered.
Il have called you back, sir, to ask
the nature Of this mistake you say
that you have made. Your conduct
your manner, your words are mex
plicable to me. Be good enough to ex
plain"
It was command, and he inclined
Ills head In respectful recognition.
Il am a student Of nature, my
lady" he said, in low voice, and
am fond of rambling in the woods
here. especially at moonlight; it is no;
a singular fancy
Her face did not flush. but her eyes
CLEANED; she saw the sneer in the
words
Go on, sir, she said eoldly.
Chance led me tonight in the dir
ection of the river. | was standing
admiring It when two mdiyiduals-they
who have just left US. approached
Suspecting a love tryst, ] was re
treating. when the moon revealed tC
me that one of the individuals was g
person in whom / take a great inter
est"
which, sae asked. coldly and
calmly.
"The young lady" he replied. and
his eyes dropped for a moment.
THAT interest rather than curios
y,"--her lips curled, and she looked
up at him with infinite scorD' inter
est rather than curiosity prompted M,
to remain and. an unwilling listener
II heard the strange engagement-be
trothal, call ii what you will-tlla
took place.
4 He paused. she drew the shaw
und her head and eyed him askance
In what way does this concern me-
sir" she demanded haughtily.
Pardon! you perceive my mistake,
he said, with a fitting smile. II was
under the impression that as interest
or curiosity prompted you also to lis
ten, you might be pleased to assist
me-"
She bit her lip now
How did you know that was lis
tening?" she demanded.
He smiled.
II saw your ladyslIip approach;
saw you take up yom position behinC
the tree. and saw your face as they
talked"
hs she remembered o., that hel
face must have told him, her hear
tbrobbed with a Wild longing to sec
him helpless ct her feet; her fae'
went blood red, and her hands
closed tightly on the shawl.
well, sir?' she said at last. aftel
uause. during which he had stoo,
eyh : her under his lowered lids
Granting that you are right In you
surmlses, how can | assist you, sup
posing that choose to do so?"
He looked at her nj in the face
by helping me to prevent the full
nnment OF the engagemont--hetrothal
which you and have Just witnessed,
he said. promptly aud frankly.
She was silent moment, her ewes
looking beyond him as II she wer'
considering. then she said
why should | help you? How do
you know ,aAt J take any interest IL
i'm these two persons"
Iou forget he said softly, =
saw your face"
She started There was something
in the bold audacity Of the man thai
proved him the master.
"if I admit that I do take some In
tercst. what proof have l that shal
he following that interest by confd