Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-13
CHAPTER v.


are to keep with US, and not to start
off for the other end Of the lake by
yourself"
Hal stops his whistling. and looks
rather guilty. Jeanne, with thor
ough knowledge Of T-aPs ordinary be-
havior. has hit upon very fair est
mate of his intentions.
"Oh, you won't want me" he says.
with ill-feigned carelessness.
Perhaps not" says Jeanne. but
you are not to desert us. You wicked
boy, / know what you are planning
you will skate on and leave met"
Poor helpless lear" retorts Hal
"As if you wanted any help! You
skate better than ! do, Jen."
NO matter, says Jeanne, firmly,
you must stay with us. and you
must be attentive. Remember, you
have promised to each Maud to cut
candles"
"Oh, l say. you know!" remon-
strates Hal, that's all nonsense.
Nothing of the kind rejoins
Jeanne, severely; you must keeI
your promise And, Hal, you are tc
be careful and not knock anybody
dowu-not even me-"
"All right" says Hal! you are aw
fully particular this afternoon, Jen-
on your best behavior. You never
used to mind tumble"
And I don't when we're alone, but
| object to spectators"
Especially when one Is an honor
able" says Hal, with grin.
Jeanne laughs shortly.
I'd forgotten the honorable. DOM
be ruder to him than you can help
Hal"
"All right, won't" he responds
obediently. But, Jeanne, you dom
expect me to be Waiting attendance
on the Lambtons all the afternoon?'
Il expect you to be a good, polite
boy" says Jeanne, with fearful solem
nifty, and I'm afraid I'm expecting toe
much"
I'm afraid you are" he assents
candidly. But no, Jeanne, / will pu
on my company manners; you shall
see how | can behave-oh you JUS
shalt III take Maud's hand, Ii yol
like, and drag her about, and teacl
Georgina to cut Fights"
Hall" cries Jeanne, with well
founded apprehension, no tricks. l
you throw them down, you might
Break their heads! No fear
Jeanne-they're too thick. Hush
here they are"
And as they step out of the parl
on to the edge of the lake, Halls fac'
assumes an unwonted solemnity, ant
he raises his cap.
Here you are at last!" exclaim
Maud Lambton, skating up to then
rather unsteadily; Eve thought yol
were never coming. How do you dc
Hal? III call one of the servants Il
put on your skates, Jeanne"
HAL will do 1t, thanks!" say
Jeanne, and seats herself on a char
At little distance Is group 0
men and women fitting to and FRI
with the aimlessness which pertain
to the exercise. Jeanne recognize
Georgina moving toward her gingerly
the doctors wife striking out boldly
and one or two others of the Newton
Regis notabllnities skimming about
On the edge of the lake stands Mrs
| Lambton, clad in multudinous furs
and looking exceedingly chilly and un
comfortable, and behind her, like
goose out of water, Mr.. Lambton, tn
great pillniaker himself, balancing oil
his skates, and trying to look as if h
enjoyed it.
While Hal is fastening the las
strap of the skates, a gentleman
glides out from the group. He il
neither tall nor short, neither hand
some nor plain, is dressed with th'
utmost care. and looks perfectly sat
ished with himself All this Jeanne
takes in at a glance as he skins to
ward her; then, with little affected
start of surprise, Maud exclaims:
"Oh. is that you, MIR. Fitzjames
You quite frightened met"
He smiles a well-satisfied smile.
Very sorry" he says, in the Ian
guild tone of his class Can be o
any assistance?' and he scans
Jeanne's face fXedly.
This is Miss Bertram, whom We
had been expecting said Maud
Isn't 1t wicked of her to be so later
Better late than never is Mr.
Fitzjames' original remark. Got your
skates on, Miss Bertram?"
Yes. thanks says Jeanne, rising
with all the confidence of an adept.
Let Mr. Fitzjames give you hand
low skates. | think; but / don't MIND
dear" says Maud.
mo thanks!" says Jeanne, and Mr.
Fitzjames hand drops 20 his side. 81
will so and speak to Mrs. I4ambton.
and of she goes like an arrow.
Dear Jeannel" murmurs Maud
looking after her with smile Of pity
on her vapid face. Such a strange
Girl. Mr.. Fitzjames-so very peculiar
and yet such dear creature. You
mustn't mind her"
NO. of course not" drawls the
Honorable Mr.. Fitzjames. Skates
Wen, by Joye"
"Oh, yes" says Miss Maud. rather
sharply. Jeanne can skate very well.
You know mamma-it is really too