Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-29
CHAPTER XVI.

1t was some time before ne Wouio
bring himself to admit it even to him
self, for he was wont to pride himself
on his superiority to all attacks Of the
tender passion.
often and often had he amused him
self and his chosen companion by rid
NOON 9soql 10 suaTlIpuoo oq1 suITaoI
Tnortals who allowed themselves to be
carried away by what he termed
weak and contemplate affection for
the other sex.
Marriage, he used TO say. was en-
tirely a matter of business. A man
didn't marry until he was obliged. and
then only did so TO better himself. AS
to lore, and that kind of thing-Well,
1t was an exploded idea-a myth which
had died out; at any rate. too absurd
a thing altogether for man possessed
Of common sense-for such man, for
instance, as Jasper Adeistone. lie
had seen plenty of pretty women and
was received by them with anything
but dlsfavor. He was good-ooking, al
most handsome, and would have been
that If he could have got rid OF the
sharp, cunning CLINT Of his small eyes;
and was clever and accomplished.
He was just the man, 1t would have
been supposed, to fall victim to the
tender passion; but he had stuck last
by his principles. and gone steadily
along the road to success. with his
cold smile ready for everyone in gen
eral, and not warm beam In mis-
heart for anyone in particular
And now. Yes. he was In loye--in
love as deeply, unreasoningiy, as I'M
pulgiyeIy as the veEiest school-boy.
This was very annoying! It would
have been very annoying IL the object
Of his passion had been an heiress or
the lady OF title whom he had in his
inmost mind determined to marry, il
he married at all; for be would have
preferred to have attained to his am
billion without any awkward and in
convenient love-making.
But the girl who had inspired him
with this sudden and nureasoning pas
sion was much to his disgust, neither
an neiress nor an offshoot OF nobility,
She was mere nobody-~the niece
of an obscure painter! She ~as not
even In society.
There was no good to be got BY
marrying her, none whatever. She
could not help him single step on MS
ambitious path through life. On the
first evening of his meeting with Stella,
when the beauty, and more than her
beauty, the nameless charm OF her
bright. pure freshness. overwhelmed
and started him, he took himself 10
task very seriously.
Jasper" he said. you won't go
and make a fool OF yourself. l hopel
She is entirely out of your line. She
is only o pretty girl; you've seen
score, hundred as pretty, or prettier,
and she's a mere nobody! ON, no,
you won't make fool of yourself
youth go back to town tomorrow
But he did not go back to town; In
stead, he went In the conservatory
ut the Rectory, AID made up bouquet
and took it 10 the cottage, and sank
deeper still into the mire OF FOOLISH
ness. as he would have called 1t.
But even then 1t was not too late.
He might have escaped even then D.
dint of calling up his selfish nature
and thinking of all his ambitions' but
Stella unfortunately rouHed-what was
more powerful in him th,Ms his sudden
loYe~~his self conceit
she actually dared to defend Lord
Wyndward!
That was almost the finishing stroke,
dealt by Stella, and he
went away inwardly raging with incip-
lent jealousy.
But the last straw was yet TO ocome
that should break the back OF all his
prudent resolves, and that was the
meeting with Stella aud Lord Leyces-
ter in the river-woods, and Lord Ley
cesters attack on him.
That moment--the moment when he
lay on the ground looking up at the
dark, handsome, angry and somewhat
scornfui face OF the young peer-~Jas-
per Adelstone registered vow,
He vowed that come what would. by
fair means or foul. he would have
Stella
He vowed that he would snatch her
from the naughty and fiery young lord
who had dared to hurl him. Jasper, TO
the dust and insult him.
What love he already possessed for
her suddenly sprang ny into a fierce
dame of jealous passion. aud as he
rode home 20 the Reetory he repeated
hat vow several times, and at once, |
without che loss of an hour. began To
aunt about for some means IL fulfill
L.
He was no fool. this Jasper Adel-
stone. for all his coneeit. and he knew
he immense odds against him ii Lord
LEICESTER really meant anything py
lls attention to Stella. he knew what
fearful advantages Leyeester held~atf
he Court cards were in his hands.
lie was handsome. renowned, noble,
wealthy sustor whom the highest
in the land would think twice about
before refusing, 4
He almost guessed. too. that Stella
already loved LEICESTER. ne had seeH
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