Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-03-25
Only a 6lrl's Love
Bx CHARLES CARVICE

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She could hear her uncle talking
also-talking more fuently { an was
his wont--to Lady Wyndward, who
was sp. aking about the pictures, and
once Stella saw her glance in her dir
ectiou as if they had been speaking
Of her. The dinner seemed very
long. but it came to an end at last,
and the countess rose. AS Stella
rose with the rest OF the ladies', the
old Countess Of Langford locked her
arm in hers.
Il am not SO Cd that / cant walk.
and 1 am not so lame. my dear" she
said, but 1 like something young and
strong to lean upon; you are both
You don't mind?'
mol" said Stella, Yes, am
strong"
The old countess looked up at her
with a glance Of admiration In her
gray eyes.
And young" she said significantly,
They a..ed into a drawing-room-
not the one they had entered first,
but q smaller room which bore the
name OF my ladys. 1t was exqui-
81 ely furnished in the modern anti
que style There were some beautl-
full hangings that covered the walls
and served as background for costly
cabinets and brackets, upon which
was arranged a collection of ancient
china second to none in the kingdom
The end of the room opened into q
fernery, In which were growing tall
palms and whole miniature forests OF
maidenhair, kept moist by sparkling
fountains twitting and fitting about
behind a wire netting. so slight and
carefully concealed as to be scarcely
percoptible.
No footman was allowed to enter
this ladies' paradise; two maids, In
their soft black dresses and snowy
cas-, were moving about arranging
table for the countess 20 serve
tea upon
II was like a scene from the Ara
blan Nights" only more beautiful
and luxurious than anything Stella
had imagined even when reading
that wonderful book OF fairy-tales,
The countess went straight to her
table and took OFF k1r gray-white
g.Dves, some of the ladies settled
themselves IN the most INDECENT OF
attitudes on the couches and chairs,
and others stroiled into the fern
house. The old countess made her
self comfortable on low diyan, and
made room for Stella beside her.
and this is your firsa visit to
Wyndward Hall, my dear?' she said
Yes answered Stella, hen eyes
stin wandering round the room.
And you live in that little village
on the other side of the riyer?'
"Yes,' said SteIa, again. IL 10
very pretty, is it not?"
1T Is, as pretty as anything IN one
Of your uncle's pictures. And are
you quite happy
Stella brought her eyes upon the
pale, wrinkled face.
Happy oh, yes quite she said.
Yes. think you are" said the Old
lady with "a keen glance at the beau
uul face and bright pure eyes,
Then you must keep so, my dear,
she said
"But isn't that rather difficult?
said Stella, with a smile.
Lady Langford looked at her.
THAT serves me right for med
ding" she said. Yes, IL is dim
cult. very difficult. aud yet the art
Is easy enough; it contains only o&o
rule, and that is TO be content"
Then shall continue to be
happy" said Stella; for | am very
content"
FOR the present., said the GA
lady. oying her again, No, you look
very ,contented--st present Isn't
that beautiful forest?"
/. was an abrupt changp of the
subject, but Stella was equal TO it.
Il have been admiring it since l
came in. she said; lit is like fairy
land.
Go and enter it," said the old
countess-"I am going TO sleep for
exactly ten minutes. win you come
back to me then? You see. l am
very frank aud rude, but am very
old indeed
stella rose with smile.
~ tt,iu,- ,pu ara worry kind TO me "