Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-06-08
Continued

He enters the room as the maid
carriers in something under a dish
cover. the table is spread With
white cloth: dinner-yhat mockery
it seenls-is ready The sight OF the
dinner reminds him that George has
not. and will not dine today, and ne
is about to run out and stop him,
when he hears the CHATTER Of horses
hoofs. and, looking out the window, he
is Just in time to see George steer
ing the bay horse down the street
The next moment there is a soft
rustic behind him, and Verona enters.
Halls heart arises as he looks at
her. Take her back not he! not
while he has strong right arm to
hold her shall the wrest her from
him. If she has ever looked lovely
I'm her life she looks lovely now, her
dark syes shining, melting, rather, in
loving truthfulness, as she comes
in. blushing and smiling. and vet
with the hlgh-hred calm and compo
sure which are her birthrights
Hal would like to take her in his
arms. but the maid is in the room
and. instead. he is forced to put the
commonplace question:
Are you hungry?"
Yes. very" she SAYS, candidly.
And are you comfortable-ar they
kind?" inquiries Hal, anxiousIy.
Very very kind she answere
"They could not be more so II
were ope of their own daughters
AMI where have you been?'
Hal looks down.
Never mind" ne says; 4 win tell
you directly Let us have ONE din
ner On, are YOU going TO sit all
that way Off" for Verona has taken
a seat at the bottom Of the table
Yes she says. with a smile. And
see, here IS fowl +"
and I've got some trout saws
Hal. Happy augury, Let me give
you some trout
AS you did weeks--was 1t weeks
or years ago." murmms she.
They were both hungry; they are
young and In good health, and have
had a long ride. The trout is cooked
to perfection so is the fowl and
when the maid brings Ia apricot
tart, Halls satisfaction II upbounded.
Suddenly Verona SAYS Where is
George"
George says Hal. blankly. but he
is spared from explaining. for the next
moment Verona flies to the window.
Look, there's a peacock What a
beauty What splendid tailH
Then she comes back, and, yield.
ing TO Halls entreaties. sips a little
OF the red wine which he has ordered
Well" says Hal. and how do you
like the inn2e
'oh, II IS beautiful" she answers,
and Il Is larger than II looks There
is back to It. quite a large back.
And there is balcony running
around the back. to which you as.
cend by some wooden steps, just as
you do in the Swiss houses"
I've never been to Switzerland;
but wei 90. Wen 20 all over the
world darling" he adds: that is. n
YOU like
Verona looks down.
Il should like to go to England.
SO YOU shall. my darling" said
Hal There's no place like Eng.
land after all Here's a health to
merry England. and he lifts his
glass.
Ia all his affected gayety She
lovo's eyes are keen--sees beneath
the mask, and as they stand side by
side by the window. she puts up her
hand on his shoulder and looks at
him
what is the natter" she asks.
with a little pickering smile.
Matters" says the conscience.
stricken Hal "nothingl Look there
is the sun going down."
She turns her head and looks as
hidden. but presently her eyes come
back to his face.
Where is George" she asks again.
George" says Hal. hesitatlng.
George is all right Come, darling.
YOU are not afraid. you are not un-
happ} p
Il afraid: No! not when you are
near she SAYS. in the simple Ian
guage of love and her head sinks
uOon his breast.
Hal presses his lips on the sillSen
hair. and kisses her passionately;
but from his heart arises the cry:
"Jeanne--Jeanne,7
CHAPTER xxx.
The sun-the same sun which
shines upon the dinner.table al which
Hal aud Verona are seated-the sun
is setting behind the Koing's Castle.
and sending its red rays into leanne's
boudoir The day has been hot. al.
most as hot as midsummer. and has
been trying and exhausting in other
ways
For one thing. 1t has been day
of exodus. Four-fifths of the guests
have taken their departure: gone is
the member of Parliament. gone are
half-a-dozen other notabilities. and
Jeanne has. in the course of her din.
ties, had to superinteud their depart.
are and wish them good speed
or all tha atIpGt that prnusAaa fhe