Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-05-13

uncle isn't obliged to go anywhere,
Miss Stella!" sh added with = toucn
OF pride.
Stella shook her head
There was a telegram, she said.
Il don't know what the business was.
but he was obliged to 60"
Mrs. Penfold stood stock-stin in
dlsmay and establishment.
1t Will be the death Of him.! she
breathed, awe-struck. HE never goes
anywhere any distance. and startinS
off like that, Miss stella, IN the dead
OF night. and after icing out at the
HalI-why it's enough to kill gentle
man llko him who can't bear any noise
W anything sudden like"
I'm very sorry" said Stella. He
saIu that he was obliged to go
And when is he coming back?"
asked Mrs Penfold.
Stella shook her head.
Il don't know. hope today do
hope to day! 1t all seems so quiet
and lonely without him" And she
looked round the room, and sighed.
Mrs. Penfold stood, with the waiter
III her hand, staring at the beautiful
face.
"You--you don't know what 1t Is,
Miss Stellar" she asked, IN a low
voice, and with certain significance
in her tone.
Stella looked up at her.
NO, | don't know-uncle did not
tell me, she replied
Mrs. Penfold looked at her curiously.
and seemed lost in thought.
And you don't know where he's
gone. Miss Stella? don't ask out oi
curiosity
I'm sure Of that" said Stella,
warmly, No / don't know.
And you don't guess?'
Stella looked up at her with WIDE
open eyes, and shook her head.
Mrs. Penfoid turned the walter IN
her hand. then she said suddenly:
II wish Mr. Adelstone was here.
Stella lrted,
MIR. adelstone!"
Mrs Penfolu nodded.
yes, Miss Stella. He is such I
clever young gentleman, aud he's SO
friendly, he il do anything for your
uncle He always was friendly, but
hos more so than ever now"
Is he?' said Stella Why
Mrs Penfold looked at her with 4
smile, which died away before Stelia's
look of unconsciousness
4 don't know. Miss Stella; but hc
Is. lie is always about the cottage
Oh, forgot! he called yesterday. aud
left something for you"
And she went out, returning pre-
sently with 81 bouquet OF flowers
Il took them in the pantry, to keep
cool ami fresh Amt they beautiful
miss"
Very" said stella. smelling them
aud holding them a little way from
her. after the manner of sex Very
beautiful 1t Is very kind of him. Are
they for uncle, or for me?"
Mrs Penfold smiled.
For you. Miss Stella. Is 1t likely
he'd leave them for your uncle"
Il don't know" said Stella, he Is
uncles' friend. not mine. VIII you
put them in water. please?"
Mrs. Penfold took them with little
air of disappointment 1t was not in
this cool manner she expected Stella
to receive the flowers.
Yes, miss; and there's nothing 10
bo done?"
NO" said Stella; except to wau
for my unele's return"
Mrs Penfold hesitated a moment
then she went out.
Stella made an effort to eat some
breakfast. but 1t was a failure; she
felt restless and llstless; speli
seemed TO have been cast over the
little house~~a spell of mystery and
secrecy,
After breakfast she took up her hat
and wandered about the garden, COM
munng with herself, and ever watch
ing the path across the meadow s.
though she knew that her Unole cculd
not possibly return yet
The day wore away aud the evening
came. and as the daylight gave place
10 sunset. Stella's heart beat faster.
All dry she had been thinking--drean-
ing a. the hour that was now so near
at HIND, longing for aud yet almost
dreadlng L This love was so strange.
SO mysterious a thing. that II almost
frightened ner
Almost for the first time she asked
herself whether she was not doing
wrong-whether she had not better
stay at home aud give up this precious
meeting
But she mentally pictured Lord Ley
coster's waiting for her mentally
catlcd up the tone Of his voice welcom-
ing her. aud conscience was stilled
Il must got" she murmured, and as
If afraid lest she should change her
mind, she put on her hat ana went
down the pash with quick ster. But
She turned back at the gate. and
called % Mrs. penfold
u am going for a stroll" she sail
with a sudden blush II uncle re
turns while | am away. tell him 1
~hall not be long
And then she went across the mta-
doN> 10 the river bank
Al was silent save the tlrushcs ~