Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-15
CHATTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
What shall 1 do?' exclaimed Mr..
Etheridge,
Stella came to him quickly, with a
little cry OF dismay.
What is il, uncle, Are you Ills
it bad news? Oh, what is the NAL
ter?"
And she looked up into his pale and
agitated face with anxious concern.
His gaze was fixed on vacancy, but
there was more than abstraction N
his eyts-there was acute pain and
anguish.
What is it, dear?" she asked. lay
ing her hand on his ARK. pray tell
me"
At the words he started slightly,
and crushed the telegram in his hand.
NO, moi" he anything but
that" Then, composing himself with
an effort, he pressed her hand and
smiled family Yes, 1t is bad news,
Stella; it is always bad news that
telegram brings"
Stella led him in his hands were
trembling. and the dumb look OF pain
still clouded his eyes.
''Will you tell me what it Isl" she
murmured. as he sank into his accus
toned chair and leant his white head
on his hand. Tel me what it is,
and let me help you to bear It by
sharing il with you"
II, mound bar arm ornuud his
neck
Don't ask me Stella. can't tell
you'll cannot The shame would Kill
me. MOI Mo-"
"Shamel" murmured Stella. her
proud lovely face paling. as she
shrank back little; but the next mo-
menl she pressed closer to him, with
sad smile.
not shame for you. dear; shame
and you were never meant to come
together
lie started. aud raised his head.
Yes, shame" he repeated, almost
fercely. his hands clinched--' such
bitter. dcbasibg ghame and disgrace.
For the first time the name we have
held for SO many years will be stained
and dragged IN the Dirt. What shall
/ do And he hid his face in his
hands.
Then, with a sudden start he rose,
aud looked round with trembling
eaeernesB.
Il must go to London he said,
brokenly. what is the time? Sc
late! lis there no train? Stella, run
and ask Mrs. Penfold. / must go at
once--a at once. every moment Is OF
consequence"
Go 10 London-to-night- late?
Oh. you cannot" exclaimed Stella,
aghast.
My dear. must he said more
ealmiy. 1T is urgent, most urgent
business that calls Tor me, aud must
20"
Stella stole out of the room. and
was about TO wake Mrs. penfold, when
she remembered having seen time
table IN the kitchen, aud stealing
downs, airs again, hunted until sue
touDd 1t.
When she took IL into the studio.
she found her uncle standing with his
hat on aud his coat bultoned.
Give it to me. be said There
Is train. an early market train that
can catch If / s.art at once and
with trembling fingers he turned over
The pages OF the umelbook, Yes. !
must go. Stella"
nut not alone. uncie!" she in.
porcd Not aloue surely. You wiz
,et the come wlth you.
lie put ms hanu upon her arm ana
ktssed her, ms eyes moist
stella. must 80 alone; NO ons
can help me ia this mater There
are some troubles, that We must meet
unaidcd except by a Higher Power;
ans is one OF them. Heaven b,esS
you, my dear. you help me TO bear Il
with your loving sympathy. wish
could tell You, out / cannot. Stelia--i
cannot
DO not lien. dear. she whispered
You VIII not be away long?
Not longer than can help be
sighed. You viii be quite safe,
Stoilag"
safe" aud she smiled sadly.
Mrs. Pcmold must take care OF
you. / don't like leaving you, but it
cannot be helped Chd. / did nos
thiuk to have q secret from you 50
soon"
Al the words Stella started, and 8
red flush came over her Taco.
She, too. had a secret and as ii
flashed into her mind from whence
the 81 Hen trouble bad momcntartG
banisaod il, her heart beat fast aua
her eyes dropped
There should be no secrets be.
tween us TWO hu said 'but -thcre
here don't look SO troubled. my
Gear shall nct be ,opg gone
She clung TO him 20 the last, Unit.
Indeed tho little white gate had closed
behind him. then she went bac,> 60
tho house aud sat down in his chair
and sat bordering and trembling
For time the secre. trouble which
had fallen her uncle absorbed all her
mind ana caro-, but presently the
memory OF all that had happened to
her tbat evening awoke and over.