Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-22
Continued.

4dQ won ueE NdFIUSSL dppIODdbAOA "
neglecting her all the evening. She
is very pretty, beautiful, indeed. and
So may | say the word, dear Lady
Wyndward?-so fresh!"
The countess smiled with her even
brows unelouded.
"A schoolgirl should be fresh, as
you put it Lenore, or she is nothing"
Lord LEICESTER looked from one to
the other. and his gaze rested on Lady
IGNORES superb beauty WITH a com
placent eye.
To sa1' that a man "a love is blind
to all women other than the one OF
his heart is absurd II is not true,
He had never admired Lady Lenore
more than he did this moment when
she spoke in Stella's defense; but he
admired her while he loved Stella.
~Yoa are right, Lenore," he said.
-She is beautiful"
4 admire her exceedingly" said
Lady Lenore, smiling at him as If she
knew his secret and approved Of IT,
The countess glanced from one 10
the other.
1T Is getting late" she said. you
must go now. IGNORE"
Lady Lenore bowed her head She,
like all else who came within the cir
Gle Of the mistress OF Wyndward,
obeyed her.
"Very well. am little tired.
Good night"
Lord LEICESTER took her hand, but
held Ii moment. He felt grateful to
her for the word spoken on SteIla's
behalf
Let me see you to the corridor, Z"
said Lord Leycestcr.
And with bow which compre-
hended the other occupants Of the
room. he accol lpanioG her.
They walked IN silence to the foot
of the stairs. then Lady IGNORE held
out her hand.
Good night" she said. "and happy
dreams"
He looked at her curIously. Was
there any significance In her words?--
did she know that had passed be-
tween Stella and himself?
But nothing more significant met
his scrutiny than the soft langor OF
her eyes, and pressing her hand as
he bent over It, he murmured
Il wish you the same"
she nodded smilIngly to him, and
went away, and he turned back TO the
hall
Az he did SO the billiard-room door
opened. and Lord Charles put out his
head.
One game. Ley" he said.
Lord LEICESTER shook his head
Not tonight Charlie"
Lord Charles looked al him. then
laughed. and withdrew his head
LEICESTER sauntered down the hall
and back again; he felt very restless
and dlsinclined for bed; Stella's voice
was ringing In his ears. Stella's lips
stiH chung with that last soft earess
to his. He could not face the laugh
ter and hard voices of the billiard.
room 1t would oe profanationl With
n sudden turn he went lightly up the
stairs and entered his own room.
Throwing himself into chair. he
folded bis arms behind his head ana
closed bis eyes, to call up vision OF
the girl who had rested on his breast
whose sweet, pure lips had muir.
INJURED | love youi"
My darling!" he whispered-"my
darling loye' lave never known 1t
till now. And | shall see you to-mor.
row. and hear you whisper that again.
7 love you'' And It's me she loves,
not the viscount and heir to Wynd-
ward. but me, Leycesterl Leycester--
II was a hard, ugly name until she
spoke it, now It sounds like music
Stella. my star, my ANGEL"
Suddenly his reverie was disturbed
by knock at the door With a start
he came back to reality, and got up
but before he could reach the door 1t
opened. and the countess came IN.
Mot in bed?' she said, with n smile
Il have only just some up" he re-
piSed.
The countess smiled again
"You have been up nearly half an
howr."
He WIS almost guilty OF blush.
80 long," he said Il must have
Seen thinking"
And be laughed, as he drew a chair
forward. He waited until she was
seated before he resumed his own;
never. by word or deed, did he permit
himself 20 grow lax in courtesy 10
her and then he looked up at her
with a smile
Have you come for enat, my
LADY," he said calling her by her
title ia the mock-serious way in
which he was accustomed 20 address
her when they we're alone.
Yes, have come for a chat. Ley
cester. she said quietly
Does that mean a scoId?' he asked,
raising bis eyebrows. but stin shifting
Your tone Is suspicious. mother
Well. am at your mercy"
Il have no.h,cg 10 sCo'd yoa for
said the countess. leaning back in the
comfortable chair All the chairs were
comfortable in these rooms OF his
DO you feel that you deserve onc%
Lord Leycester was silent. Il he
had answered be might have been
compelled 20 admit tina, perhaps there