Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-29
Only a 6trl's Love
By CHARLES CARvICE


why are you here, stellar
She did not SPEAK, but drew her
hand away and glanced at Jasper.
] That glance would have melted i
aeart Of stone, but his was one Of fire
and consumed all pity.
WIN you not speak? Great Hea-
ven, what IS the matter wiz you?
demanded LEICESTER.
Jasper made step nearer
| LEICESTER turned upon him, not
fiereviy, out with contempt and amaze
ment, then turned again TO Stella
Has anything happened at home
to your uncle?"
Mr.. Etheridge is well" said Jas
per.
Then LEICESTER turned and looked
at him
WIN does this man answer for
your" he said. Il did not put any
question to you, sir
Il am aware q hat, my lord" said
Jasper, his eyes glittering with hate
and malice, and smouldering fury.
| The sight of the handsome face, the
knowledge that Stella loved this man
and hated him, Jasper, maddened and
tortured him, even in his hour OF
triumph. Il am aware of that, Lord
LEICESTER: but as your questions evl-
IDENTIFY distress and embarrass Miss
5Etheridge, take upon myself to an
swer for her
LEICESTER smiled as if at some
strange coneeit.
You do indeed take 1t upon your
self" he retorted. with great scorn.
"PG<aaps you will kindly remain 81
lent
Jasper's face wbiteued and he
WINGED
you are in my apartment, Lord
Le .cester."
u regret to admit IT, more deeply
regret that this lady should be here.
await her explanat on
And what If | say She VIII not
crafty your curiosity?' said Jasper,
with a malignant smile.
what will happen, do you mean?
curly Well. ! shall probably throw
/ you out OF the window"
Stella uttered a low cry and laid
her hand upor his arm: she knew him
50 well. and nad no difficulty in read
ing the sudden lightning Of the dark
eyes, and he resoute tightening OF
/ the lips She knew that II was no
! Idle threat and that word more
from Jasper OF the same kind would
rouse the fierce impetuous anger for
whica - .later was notorious.
In q moment his anger disappeared.
Il beg your pardon" he murmured,
with a loving glance, II was forget
Ting myself ] will remember thar
YOU are here Now, sir" and he
turned to Jasper, you appear anxious
Ito offer some explanation BE as
brief and as quick as you cal, please,
he added curly.
Jasper WINGED at the tone Of com
WINGED
u wished TO spare Miss Ethegldge,
he said. Il have only one desire. and
that is to insure her comfort and hap
Ipiness"
You are very good, said Leyces-
ter with contemptuous Impotence,
which cannot be welcome. would
rather hear an account OF these ex-
Itraordinary proceedings from this
ladys lips. at first, at any rate; after
wards l may trouble you, and his
eyes darkened cminously.
Then he went up to Stella and his
voice dropped TO low whisper,
Come. Stella. You shall tell me
what this all MEANS and he offered
ther his arm.
But Stella shrank back, with ptte'
Gus look n her eyes
Il cannot go with YOU she muir.
INJURED. as If each word cost her an
effort DO not ask mel"
Cannot! be said. still in the same
low voice stella! Why not"
IL cannot tell you! Do not ask
NEE" was her prayer. Go now-go
and leave me-"
Lord Leycester looked from her 10
Frank. who shook his head and
gIared at Jasper
I don't understand II, Lord Leyces'
ter; IL is no use looking 10 me /
hare acne as YOU asked meat least
As lar as I was able until l was pre-
y tied We got out at Vauxhall as
IyOu wished us t. do"
II" said LEICESTER, not loudly. but
with intense emphasis. II! l did not
ask you TO DO anything Of the kind!
have been waiting for You at Water
loo, and thinking that Lad missed
you and that you had gone on to--to
the place asked You to so 10, hur-
Iried there man-Mr. Adelstone' ?
servant, l presume--was waiting. and
tod me Stella was here waiting for
lme, came here-that It all"
Frank glared at Jasper and raised
an accusing finger, which he pointed
/ threateningly,
Ask bin for an explanation? ?" he
said.
! LEICESTER looked at the white, de
FAINT face.
/ What jugglery is this, sir?' he de-
Imanded Am to surmse that-lnat
this lady was en;rapped and brought
here agains, her wius'
Jasper inclined his head