Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-01
Only a 0irt's Love
By CHARLES CARvICE

o'clock" This she incloged in an en-
velope. and addressed TO Jasper Abel
stone, Esq, and with the two notes in
her hand returned to the tennis lawn.
They were still playing - Lord
Charles absorbed in the game, and
once more quite oblivious Of the letter.
She stood and watched them for a
minute; thee she went and sank down
beside the jacket, and hiding the
movements with her sunshade. re-
stored Leycesters letter TO its place.
\ rev minutes arrerwaru inc Single
line she had written was on its way
to Jasper.
CHAPTER XIV.
81 am Frank Etheridge," said Frank,
looking up at Lord Charles, as the
latter stopped at the little gate in the
lane. Yes, / am Frank Etheridge."
And as he repeated the sentence, a
shy, almost a timid. apprehensiye ex-
preston came into his eyes.
AT right" said Lord Charles, look
Ing round with a most inconsistent
look of caution on his frank, handsome
face. Then have letter for you.
FOR mel" said Frank, and his face
paled.
Lord Charles eyed him with aston
ishment
What is the matter?" he said.
What are sou alarmed at? ] am not
balIiff-I am only Mercury" And
he chuckled at the joke at his own ex-
pense. Il have letter for you-from
my friend Lord LEICESTER"
Franks face lit up, and he he'll out
his hand promptly.
Lord Charles took the letter from
his pocket and turned it over quickly.
ITS got tumbled and creased" he
said. Fact is, | ought to have given
it to you an hour or two ago, but |
was led on to tennis and forgot it."
"Oh. it's all right" said Frank, Gag
eriy Il am very much obliged, sir.
Won't you come in? MY father and my
cousin Stella viii be glad TO see you"
But Lord Charles shook his head,
and glanced at the pretty cottage, with
its air of peace which surrounded it,
with something like pang OF re-
morse
Il do hope this will all turn out
right" no thought, 'Leycester means
well. but he is as likely as not to bun
gle II in one OF his mad humorsl'
Then aloud. he said. mo. won't como
in but----"he hesitated a moment,
but will you tell your cousn-Miss
Etheridge, Simply LORD
Charles hesitated and took off his hat,
and started at the makers name Off
moment. We'll, look here, you
know, II either you or she want am
assistance-~want friend, you know
come TO me. ! shall be at the Hall.
You understand. don't you My name
is Guildford"
Frank nodded, and took Lord
charles's extended hand,
Thank you, very much, Lord Guild
ford" he said
And Lord Charles, with another
idLueI iut1uA GiNhNN az tlN 1oNteetlNf -
tired.
Frank tore open the envelope ana
deyoured the contents Of the short
and pregnant note. then he went in
search OF Stella
She was sitting at the organ, not
playing, but touching the keys with
her fingers. a rapt look of meditation
on her face. Mr. Etheridge was hard
at work making the best of the golden
evening light.
Stella started as the boy came in.
and would have spoken, but he put
his finger to his lips and beckoned
her.
They both passed out without at
tracing the attention of the absorbed
artist, and Frank drew Stella into the
garden. and to small arbor at the
further end. She looked at his flushed
excited face with smile,
What does this mysterious conduct
mean. Frank" she asked
He put his arm round her and drew
her 10 a seat.
I've got something for you. Stella,
he said, What will you give me for
it? 1t is worth---well. untold treasure,
but I'll be satisfied with kiss
she bent and kissed his forehead
or course II is nothing" she said.
with laugh; but as he took the let
ter from his pocket and held It up
her face changed What Is IT.
Frank"
He put the letter in her hand, and.
with an instructive delicacy got up
and walked away.
Read II. Stel" he said "rn be
bach directly"
Stella took the letter and opened it.
When Frank came back she was sit
tt.g with the open letter IN her hand,
aer face very pale, her eyes filed
with strange light
"0h Frank" she breathed. Il can.
not do it. cannot"
Cannot" he exclaimed, You
must, Why, Stella, OF what are you
afraid? shall be with you"
She shook her head slowly
Wen" he said.
1T is not that am not afraid
and there was touch Of pride in her
voice DO you think ] am afraid of
Of Leycester?"