Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-15
q klgsed hIm.

taking the whole while in explanatory
sentences Of establishment.
And you are Mr.. Harolds daughter
Did you see his portrait over the man-
tel-shelf, miss? | should have known
yo1 by that, now come TO look at
you" and she looked with affectionate
interest into the beautiful face. as she
helped Stella to take off her hat.
Eyes. | should have known you. miss.
in a moment? And you have come all
the way from Italy Dear me, it IS
wonderful. And I'm very glad you
have. IT won't be so lonely for Mr.
Etheridge. And is there anything
else you want. miss? You must ex-
cuse me for bringing you into my own
room; IN have q room ready for You
tonight, your own room. and the lug
gage, miss
Stella smiled and bIushed family.
ST have none. Mrs. Penfold. I ran
II left quite suddenly"
"Dearie mel" murmured Mrs. Pen
fold. puzzled and sympathetic swell.
now, 1t doesn't matter so long as you
are here, safe. and sound. And now
I'm go and get you something to eat!
You can find your way DOWN."
Yes" Stella said. She could find
aer way down. She stood for a mo-
ment looking through the window,
her long hair falling in silky stream
down her white shoulders, and the
soft. dreamy look came into her eyes.
lis 1t true?" she murmured. Am
really here at home with someone to
love me-someone whom can love?
Or is 1t only dream, and shall
wake in the cold bare room and find
that I have still to endure the old life?
No! it is no dream, it is truel"
She wound up the hair and went
down to find that Mrs. Penfold had al
ready prepared the table her uncle
standing beside and waiting with gen
tie impotence for her appearance.
! He started as she entered, with q
distinct feeling of renewed surprise;
! the relief from uncertainty as to her:
welc ONE, the kindness of her reception
had already refreshed her, and her
beauty shone out unclouded by doubt
Or nervousness.
The old mans eyes wandered witt
artistic approval over the graceful
/ form and lovely face. and he was al
most in the land Of dreams again when
4 Mrs. Penfold reused him by setting .
chair at the table, and handing him 2
cobwebbed bottle and corkscrew.
Miss Stella must be starving, sirl :
She said. suggestively.
Yes. yes" he assented. and both Of
them set to work exhorting and en-
couraging her to eat, as if they feared
she might drop under the table with
exhaustion unless she could be per-
suaded to eat of everything on the
table.
Mr.. Etheridge seemed to place great
faith in the old port as a restorative,
and had some difficulty in concealing
his disappointment when Stella, after
slipping the first glass. declined any
more on the score that 1t was strong
AT last, but with visible reluctance
he accepted her assertion that she
was rescued from any chance OF star
walton, and Mrs. Penfold cleared the
table and left them alone.
A lamp stood on the table. but the
moonbeams poured in through the
window, and instantiyely Stella drew
near the window.
What lovely place it is, uncleH
she said
He did not answer, he was watching
her musingly. as she leant against ths
edge Of the wall.
You must be very happy ere
Eyes" he nurmured, d.tGmily
Yes, and you think you will be
Stella"
"Ah, yes she answered, in low
voice. and with low sigh. Happier
than / can say"
You will not feel it lonely, shut up
with an old man. dreamer, who mas
parted with the world and almost for
j gotten it?''
NO, no. thousand times no."
was the reply.
He wandered to the fireplace ana
took up his pipe, but with sudden
! glance at her lad it down again
You were going to smoke, uncle"
mo, no. he said, eagerly. No, a
mere habit"
I She interrupted him with smile
and filled the pipe for him with heI
taper little fingers, and gave II to him
You do not want me to wish that
had not come to You, uncle?'
Heaven Forbid" he sad, simply
Then you must not alter anything
n your life; you must go on as If
had never dropped from the clouds to
be a burden upon you"
NY child" he murmured reproach
fully.
"Or to make YOU uncomfortable.
could not bear that, uncle"
NO, no." he said, Il will alter
nothing, Stella. we win be happy, yoJ
and H.
Very happy" she murmured, softly
He wandered to the window, ant
stood looking out; and, unseen by him
she drew chair up and cleared it oi
the litter. and uneonsciously he sal
down
Then She glided to and fro, wander
-. ns.s.