Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-05-13

I
sionate as his words-'haVe you been
waiting long Did you think was not
coming?"
Stella put he- hands in his and
glanced up at him for a moment; hel
face flushed. then paled..
ibid not know" she said
shyly, but with a little smile lurking
in the corner Of her red lips.
You knew l should come" ht
went on. What should, what could
prevent me Stellai | was here BE-
fore you. have been lying under
that tree, watching you; you looked ST
beautiful that l lay there feast!ng my
Ieyes, and reluctant to move lest
should dispel the beautiful vision"
Stella looked across and her eye:
dropped.
You where here while II was
thinking that you had perhaps-for
gotten!7
"Forgotten!" and he laughed scttly
Il have been looking forward 10 His
hour; 1 dreamt of 1t last light
Can you say the same, Stel'4?"
She was silent for moment, then
she looked up at him shyly. as a sofl
Yes" dropped from her lips
He would have drawn her close to
him, but she shrank back with 1T
tie frightened gesture.
Come" he said, and he drew her
gently toward the boat
stella hesitated.
Suppose" she said, someone saw
us" and the color flew TO her face.
And IT," he retorted, with a sud.
den look OF defiance. which melted in
a moment There is no fear of that,
my darling; We will go down the back
water Come"
There was no resisting that low.
voiced mingling of entreaty and low
ing command With the tenderest
care he helped her into the boat and
arranged the cushion for her.
See" he said. III we meet any
boat you must put up your sunshade,
but we shall not where we are go
ing"
Stella leant back and watched him
under her lowered lids as he rowed
every stroke of the strong arm
sending the boat along like an arrow
from the bow--and an exquisite hap.
plness fell upon her. She did not
want him to speak; it was enough for
her to sit and watch him, to know
that he was within reach of her hand
If she bent forward. to feel that he
loved her
He rowed down stream until they
came to an island, then he guided
the boat out of the principal current
into "a back water, and rested on his
oars.
Now let me look at you." he said.
Il haven't had an opportunity yet"
Stella put up her sunshade to
shield her face, and laughingly he
drew 1t away.
THAT is not fair. have been
thirsting for a glance from those dark
eyes all day | cannot have them
hidden now. And what are you think
ing OF" he asked, smilingly. but with
suppressed Cagerness. There ifs q
serious little look in those eyes Of
yours~of mine, They are mine, are
they not. Stella? What is it?"
Shall l tell you?" she answered, in
low voice.
Yes" he said you shall wills
per It, Let me come nearer to you,
and he sank down at her feet and put
up his hand for hers. Now then"
stella hesitated q moment,
Il was thinking and wondering
whether this--whether this isn't very
wrong. Le---Leycester."
The name dropped almost maud
bly,. but he heard it and put her hand
TO his lips.
Wrong he said, as ii he were
weighing the question most iudici,
ously. Yes and no Yes. if we do
not love each other we two No II
we do. can speak for myself. Stella.
My conscience Is at rest because love
you. And your"
her ian closed IN MS,
mo. my darling" he said. Il woG :
not ask you TO do anything wrong.
1t may be little unconventional. this
stolen half-hour of ours-perhaps it
is but what do YOU and | care for
the conventional? 1t is our happiness
we care for" and he smiled up at
her
1t was dangerously subtle argu-
ment for a girl of nineteen, and com
ing from the man she loved. but il
sutliced for Stella, who scarcely knew
the fun meaning Of the term ''conven.
tional" but, nevertheless, she looked
down at him with a serious light in
her eye.
4 wonder IL Lady Lenore would
have done it. she said
A cloud like q SUNNI fleece swept
across his face.
"Lenorc?" he said. then he laughed
"Lenore and YOU are two very di1er,
emit persons, thank Heaven, Leuore,
aud he laughed. "worships the eouyeu.
tional' She would not move a step
in any direction excepting that pro
perly mapped out by Mrs Grudy'
You would not ask her. then o"
said Stella.
He smiled
No should not ne said, emphatt