Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-01
Only a S,rl's Love
b. CHARLES CARVICE


How is It? Do you possess some
charm, and did you conceal 1t in the
| flowers you gave me, 80 that am I'M
der a spell, Stella? That is your
name isn't it? It .s a beautiful
name; are you angry with me for cali
ing you by IT.
ANGRY Mol" said Stella, putting
up her warm. firm hand, and touching
the thin white one resting on her aair.
NO. I Ike you to call me by 1t"
"And you viii call me by mine
Lllian?"
"If you wish it" said Stella Eyes.
| will"
And we shall be great friends. See,
have kept your flowers quite cool
and fresh and she pointed TO vase
in which the primToses stood at the
other end Of the room. Il love Wlld
flowers. They are Heavens very own
are they not? No human hand does
anything for them or helps them to
grow
= Stella listened TO the low, beautiful!
voice with a rapt awe
Lady Lillian looked down at her "tth
a smile.
Il wonder whether you would grant
me favor il asked it," she said.
Il would do tnything Tor you. said
stella. looking up at her
win you 20 and play for me?' she
said Il know that you can pi@" and
sing because / have looked into your
eyes.
Suppose / say that | cannot, SAID
Stella, laughing softly.
You cannot" said Lady Lillian I
am never mistaken. LEICESTER says
that am q witch in such matters.
We'll. / will try" said Stella, ana
she crossed the room and opened me
tiny piano, and began to play q
sonata by Schubert \
| Il cannot play like Lady Lenore'
she said. almost to herself. but Lady
Lillian heard her.
you play exqulsitely," she said.
NO. | can't play repeated Stella
/ with almost a touch OF impatlence'
i then she looked up and saw the Aa'
donna, and ON the impulse OF the
moment began to sing Gounod ave
/ Maria There is 10 more exquisite
niece Of devotional music in the world
and 1t was Stella's fayorite. she hao
sung It often and often in the dreafy
| gchooldays. with all her longing hear'
In her voice; she had sung 1t in solemn
i alsled cathedrals. while the incense
roae IN the vanlted roof. but she mad
never sung it as she sang II now
now that strange. indefnable pain was
nlllng her heart with wist1ai vague
longing. Lady Lillian leant Forward
4 her Inns parted. her eyes filling VIII
teara--so rapt that she did not notice
that the door had opened. ana tha'
/ ara Lovcester stood In the room
| when she did see him he held III
his hand to silence any word OF gree.
| ing and stood with his head lowered
mia eyes fxed on Stellas lace up
,urnea white. aud rapt. As he las
tened his handsome face gre" pai'
his dark eyes deepened with intense
tsmotinn. he had stood beside tue
lniauo downstairs while Lady Lehoie
lboa been singing. with a calm pohls
lattaption. here and at this moment MS
lhearr beat and throbbed win an III
tense longing 10 bend and '.isf the up
turned face-with. an intense longlnf
ia draw the eyes toward ms 80 -
Hence the exquisite yoice~-to change
Its Implorlug prayer into song Oh
love.
| All unconsoiously Stella sang on ti'I
the end. that last lingering, exquisite
Ilong-drawn sigh: then she turned ana
saw him, but she did not move-oniy
turned pale, her eyes fixed on his
4 And so they looked at each other.
with an effort he broke the spell
and moved. But he did not speak to
her a. once. but to Lillian
Il have brought you something, he
said. in a low voice, aud he held up
tho sketch
/ Lady Lillian uttered cry OF delight
And il Is for me! Oh. Leycester
that is meet 1t is beautiful | know
who painted tit was your uncle
Stella! Oh yes, / know'
! You are right" said i.eycesler. then
he went toward Stella,
How can : thank YOU he said, In
a low voice. Il know now why you
would not sing to us downstairs
You were quite right would not
have YOU sing 9--whaE can say -
Stella looked up pale and almost
breathless beneath the passionate tre
that burned in his eyes,
4 did no; know you We're here she
said, al last
"Or you would not have suug
ann glad came-t cannot say h1y
EE.ad, You viii not sing again
Nc. NO. she said
No, he said Il did NOT thiuh
you ~uaia. and yet I would give
something to hear yeu ouce-ouiy
once more
No. said Stella. and she rose and
Wen back to her seat
Ism il bcautful9" said Lady Lii
ian in g murmur # have been richly
, endowed tonight Your song and this
lpicture How exquisite 1t was,
! Where did you learn TO sing hAe