Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-05-27


arrangements" she said.
Mr.. Etheridge looked after her as
she went into the house; The boys
voice startled him.
How be -utiful she isl" he muir
INJURED, a faint flush on his cheek,
light of boyish admiration in his eyes.
Il didn't know had aUeh = beautiful
cousin, So"
NO" said the Ola aaan, "armiy.
Go on, Frank. Wait"
The boy paused and Mr.. Etheridge
put his hand on his shoulder.
She is as good as she is beautiful.
She is an angel, Frank. | need not
say that she knows-nothing"
The boys face flushed, then went
pale, and his eyes dropped.
Thank you. sir" he said, gratefully
No.: and he shuddered. 4 wouldn't
have her know for-for the world"
Then he went in. Stella was fit
ting about the room seeing the laying
Of a cloth for an impromptu meal.
He paused at the window as If afraid
to approach or disturb her, but she
saw him and came to him with that
peculiar little grac eful gait which her
uncle had noticed so particularly on
the FIRST night u her coming.
q an so glad you have come!" she
SAID. Uncle must be glad, tool"
Yves" he said, in a low voice.
you are glad, really glad"
Her beautiful eyes opened, and she
smiled
Very glad You must come in and
have some supper It Is quite ready,
and she went and called her uncle.
The old man came In and sat down.
The boy waited until she pointed to
a chair, into which he dropped obedi-
entity
Mr. Etheridge offered no explanation
Of his visit to London, and she asked
for none; but while he sat with his
usual silent, dreamy tactunity, she
talked to him
Frank sat and listened, scarcely TAX
ing his eyes off her.
Presently Mr. Etherldge looked up.
Where have you been this evening,
Stellar" he asked.
A sudden blush covered her face,
but though Frank saw it, his father
did not.
Il have been into the woods she |
said, Ito the river"
lie nodded.
~very beautiful. rhe witches try
sting-place, they call IT," he added, az
sently
stella's face paled. and she hung |
her head.
You were rather late, weren't
your"
"-les-too late" said Stella, guiltily
If she might only tell him! Il won't |
be so late again
He looked up.
"You will have Frank to keep you
now" he said.
Stella turned to the boy with a
smile that was still eloquent of guilt. +,
4 shall be very glad" she said,
feeling dreadfully deceitful. you |
know all the pretty places, no doubt.
and must act as cicerone."
His eyes dropped,
NO. l DON'T" he said. Il haven't |
been here before"
Frank has been at school" said |
Mr. Etheridge quietly. You viii
have to be the cicerone," and he rose
and wandered to the window.
Scta rang the bell, wheeled up the
arm chair, and got the old mans pipe
hanging over him with marked tender
ness. and the boy watched her with |
the same intent look.
Then she came back to her sea-, and
took out some work
you are not going To work to-
night?" he said, leaning his elbows on
the table and his head upon his hands
small white delicate hands, to
match the face,
This is only make-belieye.' she
said. Don't you know the old pro
verb about idle hands?" And she
laughed
He started. and his face paled.
stella wondered what she had said
to AFFECT him, and hurried on.
Il can't sit stiIl and do nothing,
can you?'
Yes, for hours" he said, with a
smile. i am awtuuy Idle, but | must
get better habits; must follow your
example. mean to read while I'm
down here read hard don't YOU know,
Shall | begin tonight" he asked, his
eyes upon her With almost slavish in
tentness.
Not tonight, she said. with a
laugh. you must be tired. You have
come from London. haven't YOU
Yes" he said. and / ALI rather
tired. l would rather SIT and watch
you. II you don't mind
She shook her head
Not in the least. You can tell NE
about your school"
Il would rather sit and watch you
in silence" he sad. unless you like
to talk should like that"
He seemed a Qleer boy; there was
something almost sad in his quietness,
but stella felt tina, 1t was only tenn
porary.
He is tired. poor boy, she thought.
Presently she sale
How old are you >"
y