Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-22


are you satisfied?"
It was strange speech, closing
with strangely abrupt question. 1t
was characteristic of the speaker, who
never In all his life probably had
known for a moment what nervous
ness or embarrassment meant. Judg-
ing by his tone. the easy flow of the
musical voice, the frank, open man
ner, one would have imagined that
this meeting with strange and beau
tiful girl was the most matter-ol-fact
affair.
Are you satisf 7d?" he repeated, as
Stella remained silent, trying to fight
against the charm of his simple and
direct manner. "If not perhaps that
will do it?" and taking the whip, a
strong hunters crop. in both his
white hands, he broke it in two as
easily as if it were reed, and flung
1t over his shoulder.
Stella flushed. but she laughed, and
her dark eyes beamed down upon him
with serious archness.
Does not that look as If you were
afraid you should not keep your prom
| se?"
He smiled up at her.
st does" he said-"you are righL.
may have been tempted beyond my
have been tempted beyond my
strength. He is bad-tempered beast,
and l am another. Why do you
! laugh
He broke of, his voice changing as
subtly as some musical instrument.
Stella hesitated a moment.
81 beg you will tell mel shall not
be offended.
She laughed, and chung with one
hand to the lilac, looking down on
him.
Il was thinking how fortunate ii
was that he could not whip you. 1t is
not fair, as you are both so bad-tem.
pered, that one only should get pun
ished"
He did not laugh, as another man
7'ould have done; but there came into
the dark eyes flash of surprised
amusement, such as might have shone
in those of the giant Gulliver when
some Liliputian struck him with q
pin-sized stick; and his lips parted
with smile.
1T was a natural reflection" he
said, after pause. "Will you let me
help you DOWN."
Stella shook her head. Somehow
size felt safe up there above him
where but the dark eyes could reach
her.
THANK you, no; am gathering
some lilac. Do not trouble"
And she turned slightly from him
and stretched up her hand for a
branch above her head. The next
moment he sprang up the bank lightly
and stood beside her.
Permit me-" he said. And within
one sweep he drew the fragrant
branch within her reach.
"And now will you come
DOWN." he asked, as if she were some
willful child. Stella smiled, and he
held out his hand. She put her into il
and his fingers closed over it with a
grasp firm as steel, but smooth as a
woman's. As. the warm fingers closed
over hers, which were cold with her
long grasp of the branch above her
head, thrill ran Trough her and
caused her to shudder slightly.
"You are cold" he said, instantly.
''The spring evenings are treacherous.
Have you far to go?"
II am not cold, thanks" she said,
with a quick alarm, for there was a
look in his eyes and movement of
his hand which seemed to give warn.
ing that he was about to take his coat
/ off.
Il am not at all cold!"
Have you far to go?" he repeated,
with the air, gentle as it was, of a
man who was accustomed to have his
questions answered.
Not far; to the little white gate
| there" she answered.
"The little white gate-to Ether.
/ AdSC o. bl1C al AdDI ne SCtiuy EGAIlg
with tone of surprise.
Stella bent her head; his eyes scan.
ned Ler face
"Yor live there-are staying there?"
Eyes"
II never saw you in Wyndward be-
| fore"
No, | was never here till tonight.
It'll tonight?" he echoed. 81 knew
that had not seen you before"
There was something in the tone,
wholly unlike commonplace fattery,
that brought the color to Stella's
! face.
They had reached the gate by this
time, he Walk ng by her side. the
bride thrown over his arm, the great
horse pacing quiet and lamb-like, and
Stella stopped.
Good night" she said.
He stopped and looked at her, his
head thrown back, as she had seen it
as he rode toward her. his eyes fixed
intently on her face, and seeming to
sink through her downcast eyes into
| her soul.
Goodnight" he replied. wait"
1t was a word of command, for all
its musical gentleness, and Stella, wo-
man-like StnnDed