Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-15

But when she slept the boys face
haunted her, and mingled in her
dreams with that Of Lord Leycester's.
CHAPTER Ky.
Lord LEICESTER stood for MIMI g
or two looking after the carriage that
bore Stella and her uncle away; then
he returned to the house. They were
a hot-headed race. these Wyndwards.
and LEICESTER was. to put it mildly.
as little capable Of prudence o. calcul-
alton as any Of his line; but though
his heart was beating fast, and the
vision of the beautiful girl in all her
young unstained loneliness danced be-
fore his eyes as he crossed the hall,
even he paused a moment 10 consider
the situation. With a grim smile ne
felt forced TO confess that 1t was
rather a singular one.
The heir Of Wyndward, the hope OF
the house. the heir to an ancient name
and princely estate, had plighted
his trotn to the niece of painter
girl be she beautiful as she might.
without either rank or wealth, to rec
Cmmend her to his parentsl
He might have chosen from the
highest and the wealthiest; the high
est and the wealthiest had been, so ID
speak, at his feet. He knew that no
dear wish existed in his mothers
heart of hearts than that he should
marry and settle. Well, he was going
to marry and settle. But what mar
rage and settlement it would be-
Instead of adding luster to the already
ilIustrious name. instead Of adding
power to the already influential race
of Wyndward, it would. in the earl and
countesss eyes, in the opinion OF the
world, be nothing but a mesalliance.
He paused in the corridor, the two
footmen eying him with covet and
respectful attention, and smile cur
we'd his lips as he pictured to him
self the manner in which the proud
countess would receive his avowal of
love for Stella Etheridge, the paint
ers niece.
Even as It was, he was quite con-
scious that he had gone very far in
deed this evening toward provoking
the displeasure OF the countess. He
had almost neglected the brilliant
gathering for the sake of this
unknown girl he had left his mothers
Oldest friends. even Lady Lenore her
self, to follow Stella. How would
they receive him?
With a smile half-defant, half antic-
ipatory Of amusement, he motioned 10
the servants to withdraw the curtain,
and entered the room.
Some Of the ladies' had already re-
tired; Lady Langford had gone for
one. but Lady Lenore still sat on her
couch attended by a circle Of devoted
adherents. AS he entered, the count
ess, without seeming 10 glance at
him, saw him, and noticed the pecui-
lar expression on his face.
II was the expression which it al
ways wore when he was on the brink
OF some rasnly mad exploit.
LEICESTER had plenty OF courage
too much, some said he walked
straight up to the countess, and stood
over her
We'll. mother" he said, almost as
if he were challenging her, what do
you think of her?'
The countess lifted her serene eyes
and looked at him. she would not
pretend TO be ignorant OF whom he
meant.
"Of Miss Etheridge?" she said. /
have not thought about her. II had.
| should say that she was a very
pIeasant-looking girl
"Pleasant-looking," ne echoed, and
his eyebrows went up. That is a
mild way of describing her, She is
more than pleasant"
"That is enough for n young girl in
her position" said the countess.
cor in any" said musical voice
behind him, and Lord Leycester, turn
ing round saw Lady Lenore.
"Tha, was well said" he said, nod
ding
To be continued