Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-26
Continued.

AOEu NAaitcS HSA1 9StiA A~NANN'A7
Mall.
Better go down and look at the
birds, said Lord Charles one night
morning rather for it was in the
small hours what do you say to
running down to my place, Ley?"
MY place" was Vernon Gl~Age, o
noble Elizabetban mansion, standing
right in The center Of one OF the finest
shooting districts. The grange was at
present shu up, the birds running
wild, the .eepers in despair, all pc
cause Lord LEICESTER could not forge,
St...!... anu ..is friend would not de
sert him.
Suppose we start tomorrow morn
ing" went on Lord Charles, strus'
Cling into his light oyer-coat, and
yawning We can take some fellows
down plenty OF birds, you know.
Had a letter from the head keeDe.'
yesterday; fellow quite broken-hearted.
give you my word! Come on, Ley!
I'm sick OF this, am. indeed. | hate
the place. and he glanced sleepily a.
the dimly III hall OF the ROokery.
Whats the use Of playing ecarte and
baccarat night after night; it doesn'
amuse you even ii you win"
LEICESTER was striding on, scarcely
appearing to hear. but the word
"amuse" aroused him.
Nothing 'amuses, Charles" he said,
quietly. Nothing. Everything is
bore. The only thing Is to forget, and
the cards help me to do that, for
little while, at least--a little while"
Lord Charles nearly groaned
They'll make you forget you've any.
thing to lose shortly be said.
We've been going It like the very
deuce, lately. Ley"
LEICESTER stopped and looked at
him, YEARLY, absently.
Il suppose we have. Charles" he
said %ny don't you cut It? | don't
miIi IL; It is a matter Of Indifference
to me. But you! you can cut it. You
snail go down tomorrow morning.
and I'll stay"
Thanks" said the constant friend
I'm in the same boat. Ley, and III
pull while you do. When you are
tired of this foolery. wen come 10
shore and be sensible human beings
again. shan't leave the boat till YOU
do"
you'll wait till ii goes down."
YES, suppose I shall" was the
quiet response, III down It must GO
Leycester walked on in silence for
a minute,
What a mockery It all Isl ne
said, with a half smile
Eyes" assented Lord Charles,
slowly. some people would call II BY
stronger name suppose. don't
see the use Of t. The use-why it's
the very ruination. Ley you are
killing yourself"
"And YOU"
mo" said Lord Charles. coolly,
I'm bored and used.up all right-~l've
got nothing on my mind. I'm bored
and used.up while It lasts. but when
it's over can turn In and get to
sleep You cantor you don't"
LEICESTER thrust his hands IN his
pockets In silence, he could not deny
#.
q don't believe you s'eep one night
out OF three" said Lord Charles
You've got the mad fever. Ley.
wish It could be altered"
Leycester walked on stin more
quickly
you shall so down tomorrow.
Charles he said Il don't thiua tql
come"
why not?'
Leycester stopped and put hts hand
on his arm. and looked at him with a
feyerish smile ON his face.
Simply because cannot cannot.
I hate the sight of a green field.
hate the country. Heaven! so down
there Charlie, you know dogs can't
bear the sight of water when they are
queer You've got river down there.
haven't you? Well. the sight OF that
river. the sound of that stream. woult
drive me mad 1 cannot go. but you
shall"
Lord Char es shook his head
Very well Where now! Let rs
20 home"
I,eyeester stopped short.
Goodnight" he said Go home
Don't be foolish. Chares-go home
And you?''
LEICESTER put his hand on his arm
slowly. and looked round
Not home" he said--"uot yet. Tn
wakefu tonight"
Aud he smiled grimly
The thought OF the meadow AMI
the river has set nae thinking, IN 80
back to The Rookery
Lord Char Is turned without a word,
and they went back
The tables were stia occupied. and
the entrance Of the two men was
noticed and greeted 18th a word here
and there. Lord Charles dropped on
70 chair and called for some coffee
"a great deal of coffee was drank NJ
the "Rookey LEICESTER wan
dered about from table 10 table
Presently he paused beside some
men who We're playing baecarat
They had been playing since mid.
night. and niles Of notes and gold