Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-05
CHAPTER ".

INJURED:
"Leycester is in one of his restful
moods tonight"
Eyes," he said, with sigh. what
is it?-do you know?"
NO." she said, calmly. HE was
all right at dinner"
"Why can he not behave like other
people?" said the earl, sadly. "Can
you fancy any other man leaving his
fathers guests ana riding about the
country"
'Ieycester never was like any
other" she said, not without a touch
Of pride. 'He is as he is and nothing
can alter him"
The earl was silent for moment
ais long white hands folded behind his
back, his dark eyes fixed on the floor
HAS he told you of his escapade-
mis- last mad freak?''he said. in low
voice.
YES" she answered, calmly. HE
has never concealed anything from
me-
at is nearly twenty thousand
pounds Even Wyndward must feel
such strains as this"
The countess raised her head.
81 know" she said; he has told me
everything. 1t was a point of honor
did not quite understand; horse-rac-
ing is a pastime with which have
little sympathy, though we have al
ways owned race-horses. It was a
point Of honor Some one had been
taking advantage of his name to act
dishonesty, and he withdrew the
horse. He could take no other course, .
he says.
The earl sighed.
mo doubt But it is mad folly, and
there is no end to tiff could see
some limit Why does he not marry?"
The countess glanced at the hand
some face.
H will not marry until he meets
with sCme one he can love"
The earl looked round the room at
the many beautiful graceful women
who adorned it. and sighed impatiently.
nc - hAtu " plSeAs6s
"He is" assented the countess, with
the same touch Of pride.
st is time he married and settled. =
continued the earl. For most men a
year or two would not matter, but with
him--I do not like to think that the
title rests only on our two lives, as
mine must be near its close"
"Algernonl"
~And on his, which is risked daily
He stopped, silenced by the sudden
look OF pain in the beautiful eyes.
Why do you not speak to him? He
will do anything for you"
The countess smiled.
Everything but that No, / cannot
speak to him; 1t would be useless.
do not wish to weaken my influence. +.
Get Lillian to speak to him." he
said.
The countess sighed.
"Lilian!" she murmured; "she would
not do 1t. She thinks him something
more than human, and that no woman
in the world can be good enough to-
TO hold his stirrup or ill his wine
glass"
The earl frowned.
Between you" he said, you have
spoiled him"
The countess shook her head gently
No, we have not. He is now as q
man what he was as boy. Do you
remember what Nelson said, when
Hardy asked him why he did nothing
while one Of their ships was fighting
two of the enemy's? 7 am doing all
can--watehlng
Before the earl could reply. a cab
met minister came up and engaged
him in conversation, ana the countess
rose and crossed the room to where
an elderly lady sat with a portfolio ol
engravlngs before her. 1t was the
Dowager Countess Of Longford, tiny
little woman with a thin wrinkled
face, and keen but kindly gray eyes
that lit up her white face and made
1t remarkable
She was dressed as simply as a
auakeress. excepting for some old and
priceless lace which softened the
rigor of her plainly made gray satin
dress. She looked up as the younger
countess app cached, and made room
for her on the sofa.
Lady Wyndward sat down in 81.
lence, which was unbroken for min.
ute. Then the old countess said with.
out looking at her
"The boy grows handsomer every
day, Ethel!'
Lady Wyndward sighed.
What Is the matter?" asked the
sther. with keen smile. what has
he been doing now, burning a church
or running off with 8 Lord Mayors
daughter"
"He has not been dong anything
very much" answered Lady Wynd-
card. Except losing some money"
The old countess raised her eye
brows lightly.
"That does not matter"
mot much. No. he has not been
doing anything; I wish he would.
That's what is the matter"
Il understand retorted the other.
He Is most dangerous when quiet
you are always afraid he is preparing
for some piece of madness beyond the