Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-06-03
CHAPTER Xxx

CHAPTER Xxx
One hears of the devotion Of a dog
to its master the love Of horse for
its rider; such devotion, such love
Stella received from the boy Frank.
He was very singular boy. and
strange; he soon lost the air Of melau
choly and sadness which hung about
him on the frs night Of his arrival,
and became happier and sometimes
ever merry; there was always a Ger
tain kind Of reserve about him.
As Stella-knowing nothing OF the
history Of the forged blll-said, he
had his thinking fits. when he used
to sit with his mead in his hands, his
eyes fixed on vacancy.
But these fits were not OF frequent
occurrence, and oftener he was in the
best OF boyish moods, chatty and
cheerful, and "chaffy" His devotion
TO Stella, indeed. was extraordinary.
II was more than the love OF a
brother It was not the love OF sweet
heart. it was kind of worship. He
would sit for hours by her side, more
often at her feet listening to her sing
ing. or watching her at work. He was
pever 80 happy as when he was with
her, walking in the meadows, and he
would gladly lay aside his fishing rod
or his hook, to hang about with her
in the garden.
There had never been anyone 30
beautiful as Stella--there had never
been anyone 30 good. The boy looked
up TO her with the same admiration
and love with which the deyotee
might regard his patron saint
Ills attachment was so marked that
even his father. who noticed SO little.
observed 1t and commented on 1t,
Frank follows you like a dog,
Stella" he said. the third .eyenlng
after the boys arrival " Uont let
him bother you. he has his reading to
get through. and there's the river ana
his rod. Send him about bis business
If he worries YOU
Stella laughed.
Frank worry mel she exclaimed
Lightly. He is incapable OF such q
thing. There never was such a deaG
considerate boy. Why, should miss
him dreadtully II he were to so away
for an hour or two even, No, nc
doesn't bVther me in the slightest and
as TO his books and his rod, he shame
lessly confessed yesterday, that he
didn't care for any of them half as
much as he cared for me-"
The old man looked up and sighed
1T is strange he said, you seem
TO be the only person who ever had
any influence over him
Il ought TO be very proud, then.
said Stella, land | am. No one could
help loving him. he is so Irresistible
The old man We on with his work
with little sigh
Then he's SO pretty!" continued
Stella 1T IS :. shame to call q boy
pretty. but that Is just what he is
Yes, said MIR Etherdge, grimiy
TT Is the face OF a girl, with all a
girls weakness.
Hush. said Stella. warningly
Here he comes Wen, Franz she
said. as she came in. his slim form
dressed in boating Ianuels, his rod in
his hand What have you been do
ing fishing"
No" he said, his eyes tlxed on feI
face. Il meant to. bat you said Il at
you would come cat directly, and SC
/ waited Are YOU ready? II doesn1
matter-l1l wait l suppose it's The
pudding. or the custards, or the can.
airy wants feeding I wish there we've
no buildings or cauaries."
What an impatient boy it u.s." she
exclaimed, with a laugh Wei Now
I'm ready"
lets so down to the river, he
said There's someone ushinG
there-at least, he's supposed to D,
fishing. hut keeps his eyes fixed Ia
this direction. SO tina, ] don't imagine
he is getting much sport
What is he like?" said Stella,
Like" said Frank. "Oh. a tall
well-made young fellow. in brown vel
vet. A man with a yellow mustache.
Stellas face flushed. and she glanced
round at her uncle.
Let us so. she said q know Wh,
1t is 1t is Lord Leicester
Not Lord Leycester woodward. tx
chimed Frank Not really
should like to see him. Do you know
him Stella?"
"Yes-a little" said Stella. shyly
"A little"
Yes, II Is Lord LEICESTER" said
Stella. and the color came TO her face
i have heard so much about Lore