Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-05
Only a 6trl's Love
BIZ CHARLES CARvICE

ing you two. OF all things, beware
this: don't let Algernon interior
with him It is a strange thing u
say, but his father is the worst MAJ
in all the world to attempt to put tn
bride on LEICESTER. 1t is we women
who alone have the power to guild
him."
THAT is where my fear les" sad
the countess. 1T is the thought OF
what may happen in that quarter
which fills me with daily dread"
"Th ere is only one safeguard
marry him." remarked the old count
ess, but with comical smile.
Again, that is what Algernon says
You both say it as calmly as IL you
told me to give him cup Of tea"
The old countess was silent for a
| moment, then she said
where is Lenore Beauehamp?"
Lady Wyndward was almost guilty
of start.
"You read my thoughts" she said.
The old lady nodded.
"She is the only woman who can
really touch him. Ask her here; lei
them be together. She will be glad to
come"
II am not sure, Lenore is proud; she
might guess why we wanted her"
The old lac drew up her head as
naughty as il she was Leycester's
mother.
And then? Is there any girl
among them who would not jump at
the chance? / don't mean because he
is the heir to Wyndward; he 10 casxgh
in himself without tina"
1T is well you are net his mother;
you would have made him what he is
not now-vain."
The old lady sighed
Il know it. But you are wrong
about Lenore. If she ever cared for
| anyone, it is LEICESTER. She is proud.
but love levels pride. and she may put
forth her power If she should, not
even LEICESTER can Withstand her.
Ask her down, and leave the rest to
her--and Providence"
I i Hb GOuulEoo 6<At lQi q LlOAltul al
silence, then she put her hand upon
the thin, wrinkled hand, uuadorned by
a single gem.
Il have always you to come to.
think you understand him better
than his own mother"
mo" said the old lady. but love
him nearly as we'll"
81 will write at once" said the coun-
tess. And she rose ana crossed to
the ante-room.
There was writing-table amongst
the furniture; the servants saw her
go to it, and noiselessly left the room
She took up the pen and thought d
moment. then wrote.
My Dear Lenore,--Will you come
down and spend week with us? We
have a few friends with us, but VIC
are not complete without you. Do not
say NO but come. / do not name
any day, so that you may be free tc
fix your own.
yours affectionately,
ETHEL Wyndward.
Up. S.-Leycester IS with us. ''
AS she wrote the signature she
heard a step behind her, which she
knew was Leyoester's.
He stopped short as he saw her
and coming up to her. put his hano
on her white shoulder.
Writing, mother?" he said.
The countess folded her letter.
4 Yes Where are you going?"
He pointed to the Louis Quatorzs
clock that licked solemnly on q
bracket.
"Ten o'clock, mother" he said, with
a smile
"Oh, yes; 1 see" she assented.
He stood for moment looking
down at her with a young mans fila
pride in a mothers beauty, and, bend
ing down, touched her cheek with his
lips, then passed out.
The countess looked after him with
softened eyes.
''Who could help loving hlm?" she
murmured.
bouJe, he ran lightly up the staircase
and passed along the corridor, but as
he reached the further end and
knocked at door. the light air died
upon his lips.
A low voice murmured, Come in; -
and opening the door gently, he en-
tered.
The room was a small one, and lux
uriously furnished in a rather strange
style. On the first entrance. a
stranger would have been struck by
Che soft and delicate tints which per
vaded throughout There was not Il
brilliant color in the apartment; the
carpet and hang,ngs, the furniture, the
pictures themselves were ali of re
poseful tint which could not tire the
eye or weary the sense. The carpet
was a thick Persian rug, which dead
ened the sound OF footsteps, costly
hangings of a cool and restful gray
covered the walls, save at intervals
the fire itself was screened by semi.
transparent screen, and the only light
II, the room came from lamp which
was suspended by a silver chain from
the ceiling, and was covered by a
thick shade
On couch placed by the window