Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-08
Continued

You should not, ought not to tell me
that-that-what you have told me-"
He bent over her. and his hand
closed on her arm with a masterful
caressing touch.
~You mean that because / am what
am-that because am rich ! Sm to
be made poor; because have so
much--tOo much. that the one thing
on earth which would make the rest
worth having is to be denied me-"
He laughed almost lercely.
Better 10 be the poorest son Of the
soil than lord OF many acres, IL that
were true, Stella. But 1t is not. ! do
not care whether i am rich or poor,
noble or nameless-yes , / do! am
glad for your sake. + have never cared
before. have never realized it ,efOre,
but do now. / am glad now. Do you
know wby?"
She shook her head. her eyes down
cast.
Because / can lay them all at
your feet" and as he speaks he bends
on one knee beside her and draws her
hand with trembling hands to his
heart
See, Stella, lay them at your feet.
I say take them, II you think worth
take them. and make them worth hav-
ing: no. say rather. share them
with me? Set against your love, my
darling, title. lands. wealth-are all
worthless drosB to me, Give me your
love. Stella, / must. / will have H."
and he presses a passionate cllnging
kiss on her hand.
Frightened b. his yehemence,
Stella draws her hand away and
shrinks pack.
lie arises and draws her to a seat,
standing beside her calm and penitent
"foisNo me, Stella! / brighten you!
See. / will be- quite gentle and quiet
only listen 20 mel"
No. no. she murmured. trembling.
Il must not 1hink--if--if--I said
what you wish me to say, how could
meet the countess? What would
they say to me? They would blame
me for steaang your love"
You osye not stolen; no nun from
convent could have been more free
from rtihce than you, Stella You
have stolen nothing, it is / who have
given-GIVEN you all"
She shook her head.
1T is the same" she murmured.
They would be so displeased oh. it
cannot be-"
1T cannot be-" he repeated. with
. smile. but II has already come to
pass. Am one to love and unlove
In breath. Stella? Look at mel"
Sre raises her eyes. and meets his
eager. passionate gaze.
DO look like one to be swayed as
a reed by any passing wind, gentle or
rough No. Stella, such love as |
feel for you Is not 10 DO turned aside.
Even IL you were TO tell me that you
do not. cannot love me. M love would
NOT die; il has taken root in my heart
1t has become part Of myself.
There is not one hour since saw you
that / have not thought about you,
atella, you have come 10 me even in
my sleep: ! have dreamed that. you
whispered to ne. | love you. Let the
dream be true one. Oh, my life. my
darling lot YOU hear speak, II 1t is
to say that Il loves me. See. Stella,
you are all the world TO me-do not
rob me OF happiness. You do not
doubt my love2"
Doubt his lovel That was not pos
sibie for her TO do, since every word
Svery look. bore the impress Of truth.
But $ IN she would not yield. Even
rs he spoke. she fancied she could see
the stern face Of the earl looking at
Der with hard condemnation could
ace the beautiful eyes OF the countess
looking down at her with cold dis
pleasure and wondering. amazed
ecorn.
Footsteps were approaching and she
rose hurridly. 10 fy from him II need
be. But Lord Leyeester was not q
man TO be turned aside As she rose
he took her arm gently. tenderly, with
loving persuasion. and drew her near
TO him.
Come with me, he said DO not
leave me for moment See. the
door Is open-it is quite warm. We
shall be alone here. oh, my darling,
do not leave me In suspense"
She was powerless 70 resist. and he
led her on 10 the terrace outside.
Out into the dusky night. odorous
with the breath OF the flowers. and
mystical in the dim light Of the stars.
A gentle summer, zephyr like air
stirred the trees. he sound of the
water falling over the weir came like
music up the hillside. A nightingale
sang in the woods below them; all
the night seemed full OF slumberous
sassion and unspoken love
I'VE are aione here, Stella nc
n,arnured. Now answer me. Listen
once more. darling! am not tired OF
telling you; shall never tire OF It.
I,lsseul I love you-I love you'"
The stars grew duh and misty be.
fore her eyes, the charm OF his voice
OF his presence. was steal g over
her. the passionate love which burnt
In her heart for him was finding i's
way through cool prudence. her lips
wAre tremulous. A sigh. long and
deep. broke from them.