Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-12
CHAPTER XXI.

AS the door closed on Lord Leyces-
ter, SteIla's heart seemed to- Ieave her
bosom; it was as if all hope had fed
with him, and as if her doom was ir
revocably fixed. For a moment she
did not realize that she was leaning
upon Jasper Adelstone for support,
4 but when her numbed senses woke to
4 a capacity for fresh pain, and she
.delt his hand touching hers, she
shrank away from him with shut
A der, and summoning all her presence
i of mind, turned to him calmly:
t'You have worked your will" she
saNd, in low voice. What remains?
What other commands have you 20
lay upon me?"
He WINGED, and the color struggled
to His pale face.
In the future" he said, in low
voice. "it will be your place to COM
mand, mine to obey those commands,
willingly, cheerfully."
Stella waved her hand with weary
il1patience.
Il am in your hands, she sid:
what am l to do now? where am
to go? No! know that; l will go
back-'then she stopped, and
look of pain and fear came upon hes
beautiful face as she thought Of tho
alarm with which her uncle would
discover her flight, and the explain 4
ton which he would demand. How
can l go back? What can l say?
81 have thought of that" he s. d,
in low voice 81 had foreseen The
s,fficulty, and l have provided aga list
il. l know that what have dine
may only increase your anger, but
did it for the best"
"Wha. have you done?" asked
Stella.
Il have telegraphed to your uncle
TO say that had tempted you and
Frank to run up to town, and that l
would bring you back this evening
knew he would not be anxious then,
seeing that Frank was with YOU"
Stella stared at the firm, self-relant
face. lie had provided for every CON
2ncy, had foreseen everything
Sd evidently felt SO assured OF
mcess of his plans. She could
rain a slight shudder as she
di what sort of a man this was
Nld her in his power. She felt
were as useless to attempt 10
Z him as it would be for a bird
Ter against the bars of its cage.
Re I done wrong?" he asked,
ing beside her, his head bent,
hole attitude one OF Difference
umility.
shook her head.
1 suppose not. 1t does not
ir if he can be spared pain"
shall be-" he responded q
10 all in my power to render both
ind you and Frank happy"
! looked at him with a pitiful
hppy!"
Is. happy!" he repeated, with
but intense emphasis. "Remem-
THAT, though l have won you by
ie. | love you; that would die for
yes, die for you, if need we're
e rose-she had sunk in.o chair
ID put her hand to her ro~.
at me go now, please" she said,
lily.
put on his hat but 2ped her
gesture.
rank" he said.
he knew what he meant, and in
I'D her head.
sper went to the door and called
bv name, and he entered. Jasper
his hand on his shoulder and kepJ
there firmly, Notwithstanding the
5 endeavor to shrink away from
frank" ne said, in his low, quiet
lie, Il want to say few words to
sa@N Let me preface them with the
statkment that what am going to
saw Sour cousin Stella fully endorses >"
Frank looking at Stella-he had not
taken his eyes from her face-said
''Is that so. Stellar"
She inclined her head.
sT want YOU" said Jasper-"we
want YOU. We ask you. my dear Frank.
70 erase from your memory all that
has occurred here this morning,
and before that; remember only that
rour cousin Stella is my afHanced
wife. I am aware that the sudden
ness of the thing causes you surprise.
as is only rAafuraI: but get over that
surprise. and learn, as soon as pos
sible. TO recognize 1t as an Inevitable
fact Of all that has passed between
-between'-he hesitated at the hated
name. and drew a little breath-"Lord
I,eycester md Stella. nothing remains
-~othingi We viii forget all that,
viii we not Stella?"