Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-11-17


closely. was hot and feverish. Sun
stranger, his voice, usually SO slow,
and melodiously indolent, was quick
and earnest
"Good-morning. Miss Bertraml" he
said. Il have surprised you; you
thought it was your brother, perhaps
/ hope-I-I am not unweleome?"
Jeanne smiled. and also stared, as
she answered:
q am glad to see you. Did you
ride over?"
yes" h. said. 'yes-may I come
in?"
Jeanne stood aside, and sat down,
looking at him. Yes, certainly he
was changed.
He sat down for a moment, then
got up and stood at the door, wiping
his forehead, and looking around the
garden with what seemed an effort to
regain composure.
what pretty placel" he said. at
last. II have never been in this
part of the grounds before. Is this
your arbor-do you often sit here?"
Eyes, very often" said Jeanne.
1T is pretty, isn't it? Did you see
Aunt Jane, Mr.. Fitzjames. or uncIe?"
NO" he said. 1.-THE fact isl
looked in the drawing-room and came
straight through into the garden.
thought should find you here"
Jeanne laughed softly.
'If I had kept quite still you would
not perhaps"
II should have been very sorry. J"
he said; "for came to see you--that
is, of course, I should have missed
you"
Jeanne smiled and stole a glance at
him His handsome face--for it was
handsome enough now in his earnest
ness-was still flushed, and his white
hand, as it pulled at his mustache,
trembled.
st is very hot" he said. suddenly.
"You rode fast" said Jeanne. II
heard your horse galloping."
"Yes, came over at once" he
said; 81 wouldn't wait for breakfast. +"
oh" said Jeanne. rising, why
didn't you tell me at once? VIII you
come and get some?"
mo, thank you, no." he said,
quietly. Don't trouble, don't go; in
deed, couldn't eat any yet. Don't
go; it is so cool and-and comfortable
in here"
Jeanne sank back again, and he
came and sat opposite her. idgeting
with his white driving gloves, and
looking as unlike the usual cool and
self-assured Fitzjames as 1t was pos
sible for one man to look unlike him
self.
yes, I rode over" he said, break
ing a pause, during which Jeanne had
sat listening to- hose other foot
steps: rode over because couldn't
walk
Instinctiyely Jeanne glanced at his
legs.
II mean" he said, 81 couldn't waste
the time, and wanted TO see you at
once"
"To see met" exclaimed Jeanne,
opening her eyes to their widest.
Yes he said, looking at her with
an earnest admiration and eagerness
In his eyes, which. now that they We're
not screwed up by an eyeglass, were
handsome and eloquent enough.
Yes, to see you. ] want to say some
thing to you. to tell you something
70 NTfss DnrtrafO -
Me-" said Jeanne, innocently.
Wont Aunt Jane do as well-and
better?"
He smiled uneasily.
Miss Bertram," he said, I'm
afraid I've done myself an injustice
I'm afraid that l haven't appeared to
the best advantage-down here un-
der-under the peculiar circum'
stances. and-and, that you don't
think very highly of me-"
Indeed" said Jeanne. her forehead
wrinkIing itself perplexedly; you
have always been very kind to me,
Mr.. Fftzjames."
mo: you have been very kind to
me-" he said. earnestly. Il feel that
now, when / think what consum-
mate idiot you must often have
thought me. l don't mind other
women. or what they think; but you
are different, and ! want you to think
well of me"
Jeanne at that moment, If the truth
must be told, thought that he had
taken leave of his senses: but she sat
quiet and silent
The fact is. the truth is" he went
on. more hurriedly, md bending to-
ward her. with his hands clasped on
his rnees, earnestly; Il haven't known
my own mind-no, mean that Il
knew what l wanted to do, and-and,
like ! fool, l haven't the courage TO
act ike a man. Now it is different,
and, Mt5s Bertram. have come o'er
early. Ike this, to tell you that
jeanne
He stopped; for Jeanne, amazed
and bewildered. had risen slowly.
Don't go--I beg YOU won't go un-I
til YOU have heard mel" he said earn-
estly I'D rising hu~riedly. so that he
was between Ser and the opening.
said; Il wouldn't wait for breakfast
Let me say what l have to say.
though | tell it so badly. The truth
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