Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-12

said, as he bent over her hand, but
your good housekeeper would not hear
of my going without paying my re-
spects. / am afraid I'm intruding."
mot at all, nos at ALL" mwmured
the artist. Here's chair" and he
rose and cleared a chair of its litter
by the simple process of sweeping il
on the floor.
Mr.. Adelstone sat down.
Il hope you are not tired after your
mild dissipation last night" ae Ssksd
of stella.
She laughed.
Not at all. was telling uncle how
nice It was. It was my first party III
England. you know"
ooh, you mustn't call / q party" ne
said. But / am very glad you en-
joyed It,"
'eWhat beautiful flowers" said Stella,
glancing at the bouquet.
He handed them to her.
"Will you be SO kind as to accept
them?" he said. Il heard you admire
them in the conservatory last night
and 1 brought them for you from the
rectory greenhouse"
For me?" exclaimed Stella. open
eyed. ooh, didn't know! I am so
sorry you should aave troubled. 1t
was very kind. You must have robbed
tie poor plants terribly"
They would be quite consoled II
they could know for whom their bios
SONS were intended" he said, with a
low bow.
Stella looked at him with smile,
and glanced half arehly at her uncle.
THAT was very NICE" she said.
Poor flowers! II is pity they can't
knowi"
Cant you tell them? There is a
language of flowers, you knowl"
Mr.. Adelstone smiled. He was not
accustomed to have his compliments
met with such ready wit. and was
nonplussed for a moment, while his
eyes dropped from her face with
little shifty look.
Mr.. Etheridge broke the rather en-
barrassing pause.
put them In the vase for her, Mr.,
Adelstone. will you, please, AMI come
and have some breakfast. You can't
have had any"
He waited until Stella echoed the in
yitation, then drew up to the table.
Stella rang for cup and saucer and
plates, and poured him out some
coffee; and he plunged into small talk
with the greatest ease, his Heen eyes
watching every graceful turn Of Stel-
las arm, and glancing nov sHa ssaip
at the beautiful face.
It was very good small talk, and
| amusing. Mr.. Adelstone was one of
these men who had seen everything.
He talked of the London season that
was just coming on, to Stella, who
sat and listened to him. and the string
of names, noble and fashionable,
which fell from his ready tongue, was
entirely strange to her.
Then he talked of the coming Aca-
DENY to Mr. Etheridge, and seemed
to know all about the pictures that
were going to be exhibited, and which
ones would make a stir, and which
would fail. Then he addressed him
self to Stella again.
You must pay London visit, Miss
Etheridge; there is no place like 1t
the whole world Throughout even
Paris or Rome"
Stella smiled.
ut is not very likely that shall see
London for a long time. MY uncle
does not often go, although it is near,
do your"
NO. no.. he assented, mot often"
Perhaps you are to be congrafu-
lated, said Mr.. Adelstone. With all
its charms, am glad to get away from
it."
"You live there?" said Stella.
Yes" he said, quietly, welcoming
the faint look of interest In her eyes.
Yes; live in chambers. as it is
called, in one of the old law inns. /
am lawyer"
Stella nodded.
u know. You wear a long black
gown and wig"
He smiled.
And address a jury; and do you
say ylud' instead of my lord as peo-
pie IN novels always make barristers
say?"
81 don't know; perhaps I do" he
! answered, with smile; but | don't
| address a jury, or have an opportunity
of calling a judge my lud,' or my
lord. often Most of my work is done
at my chambers. l am very glad 70
get down into the country for holi-
day"
Are you going 70 stay long" asked
Mr.. Etheridge, with polite interest.
Mr.. Adlestone paused a moment, and
glanced at Stella before answering.
Il don't know be said. Il meant
going back to-day, butt think have
changed my mind
Stella was only half listening, out
the words caused her to start. They
were the same as those which Lord
lLeycestor had uttered three nights ago,
Mr.. Adelstones keen eyes saw the
start, and he made mental note OF
it,
All! is beautiful weather" said
. Nfr E,tberldoa tSgt would he a n{ty ia