Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-12-29
Continued.


man they had been patronizng 50 ef'
fusively all these months past was
marquis, instead Of a poor, struggling
artist, what might have happened
They 10th exchanged glances and
groaned.
"A real marquis!" gasped Mrs
Lambton; and here's Lambton ana
me been treating him all this time
like a common man.
And pa, groaned Maud, wringins
her hands; and pa talking 10 him
about pictures, and being his friend.
in that horrid, awful way, only few
minutes ago! Oh, ma. shall de
with shame and yexation!'
so shall !, I'm sure moaned
Georgina; and to think We made 50
much OF that trumpery Mr. Fitzjames
though he is a viscount!"
whats a yiscount to a marquis
real marquis" said Mrs. Lambton.
And Maud, Georgina-how can you
sit there. and let her ladyship stand!
she cried,
The two girls jumped as If their
chairs had suddenly bitten them, ana
each dragged chair toward Jeanne
who stood with folded hands and
downcast face, in all her bridal finery.
Here's a chair, Jeanne-my lady
said both in a voice.
Jeanne started and looked around
the title was so strange and improb-
able.
"oh. DON'T" she cried, reproach
fully. why do you all look at me
so. and-and stand away from me?
Have done anything wrong? Don't
look at me so. Aunt Jane"
And, with the irst tears she had
shed on her marriage day, Jeanne
threw herself at Aunt James feet.
There there" said the old lady.
waking from her trance, and crying,
too. Don't, Jeanne-don't! There's
nothing to cry about. though you have
frightened the hearts out of our
bodies. Let me look at you, child
And she took Jeanne's face in her
hands.
Eyes. It is my Jeanne stii though
she Is marchioness. But why ala
you keep il so secret?'
Jeanne looked up eagerly.
IL did not know it," she said.
then faltercd
"Lor'! any one could see 1t isn't her
fault-her ladyship's fault, ] mean,
says Mrs Lambton; she was quite as
surprised as any of us, weren't you.
Jeanne--my lady, l mean? And 10
think that there's a real marquis
downstairs. waiting to carry her off!
oh. dear, my poor head! Aud Lamb
ton will be so angry with us all! III
never forgive myself for making so
free and easy with a marquis!"
And the Marquis of Ferndale too -
mu.mured Maud, In an awed whisper
for she had heard some of the
stories Of his power and greatness.
THE Marquis of Ferndale! oh,
Jeanne, what lhcky girl you are"
Jeanne started and looked around
with a sudden flush, and the old light
of frank pride in her eyes.
Lucky" she said; yes, / am
lucky. because | am happy-because
he loves me-not because he is the
marquis. Why do you all look So
and talk so strangely" she said,
standing in the middle of the room.
with questioning eyes and parted
lips. shall | be any the happier for
being a marchioness? What differ
ence will it make? DO YOU think
care? MOI | Wishes, | wish that
he was only Vernon vane!'
And the tears sprang TO her eyes,
My dear Jeanne" muttered Maud
reproachfully, lit sounds wicked!
To wish yourself plain Mrs. Nane, in
stead of a maehioness! oh. maj"
Jeanne is quite right said Aunt
Jane, drying ner eyes. Il know what
she means! Don't cry. jeanne II
will all come right 1t is plain that
.yane loves you, or why should he
have done this? But-but. I'm all
dazet and all your boxes are labeled
Mrs. Vernon Vane,' too"
and things all marked J. W.
said Mrs, Lambton, with a despairing
sigh what shall We do?'
Before this momentous problem re-
ceived solution there came a hammer
ing at the door, and shouts of;
Jeanne" Aunt" Jeanne"
Jeanne flies to the door. At least
there is one who will not my lady
her and stand aloof.
Halt" she cries, and the next mo
ment hugs him in her lace and satin
'oh, Hal"
"All right, jeanne he says
brightly. Don't cry, Jen. It's all
right. We're bit knocked over ..
first, OF course, and you're upset. but
Vanes none the worse for being a
marquis, you know, Vane's a brick
a regular brick!"
HAL" cries Jeanne. holding him
from her ana then kissing him vigor.
ously; q love you! Tell them that
again!"
"All right" repeats Hal, pattins her
cncouragingly on the back. Well
talk it over when you come back-be-
fore then, for Vane has asked me to
go down to Castle Ferndale; and,
say that's where you're going to
spend the honeymoon-not abroad.
And aunt, why don't YOU get those
fal-lals of her, and some decent toys
on! Vane will be wanting to start