Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-01-12

as he calls the warnings of his better
genius. he goes close to the window
and reads; there is an deliberately
emblazoned crest on the head Of the
paper; the writing Is of a thin and
dainty character. there are no cross
fngs. no erasures, every word is dis
tlnctly written, and Heaven, how It
bites.
MY Dear Vane:-Do you think
you who know me-that could let
your marriage pass by without
word? No, mon ami. Did we not
decide. we two, that though parting
and partet, we would entertain no
vulgar ami nosities, but though we
could not be lovers would still be
friends? Wen, dear Vane, let me
wish you joy. Let me in spirit min
gle nv slipper and handful OF rice
with those of your friends who wit
messed your departure from the home
OF your bride There, know them in
fancy, and with all my heart-yes,
with all my beart-for, Vane, | do
wish you happiness, and all the more
heartily because YOU know how OF ola
used to prophesy that you would
never know it yourself, nor be the
cause of it in another.
-Ah Vanei do you remember how
used to tease you on the score OF
those strange fancies. those sad
doubt of yours? DO you remember
how used to laughingly protest that
you would never be satisfied until
you had worked out that absurd
within OF yours--that idea OF casting
aside for a time the coronet and the
castle, and seeking some simple girl
who would love you--you, the man
not the marquis--for yourself alone2
used to laugh at It, but they tell me
that you have actually put that abb
surd idea into form and practice, and
that you tried to play the peasant
and. like a king IN disguise, wooed
and wed some charming, innocent
and unsophisticated beggar-girl. Well,
laughed, and of course you win
laugh with me now that your plan
dropped through and your disguise
vas penetrated.
"Ah. Vane. think you must have
loved her indeed, mt half-heartedly
% you loved-well. one who shall be
Rameess. you must have loved her.
or you would have left her when you
found that she knew with whom she
VAS falling in love, and was not blind
10 the advantages of a coronet and
marquisate. Tell me. Vane, weren't
you rather Jealous, too--(not rather,
but very, or | do not know you -
when you found that YOU had not
teen the first, and that Clarence F1tz-
james had tried to pick and wear in
his hutton-hole the flower which You
thought you alone had discovered!
Poor Clarencel | met him. melan.
choly and desperate, at Rouen.
whence he had gone as he confessed
TO me after a deal Of coaxng. to for
get the only girl, I give you my
word, Lucille, | ever loved" Poor
Fitz! He is very much altered for
the better. | think; but he is still
leartbroken. and, they tell me.
mourns Jeanne in his sleep, and car.
ries lock Of her hair There. Vaue.
forgive me; you see / can't help teas.
ing YOU now: and, frankly. / cannot
for the lie OF me help smiling when
think OF you. You, the FIRST marquis
In this land the astuta ana worldly
wise Ferndale- making love in dis.
suisc to simple country girl. who
was not SO simple as not % knoS
the marquis underneath the artist,
aud to secure her prize.
"They tell me you have chosen In a.
rect contradiction to your avowed
tastes; dark eyes dark hair. hasn't
sheg Oh, vane. and naught
but the gold and azure blue, were
dreamed OF in your divinity Well,
may yon be happy, dear Vane, II is
easy for n man to be happy for he
can so easily forget For us, poor
women. we'll the best we can hope
Tor is to be allowed to glance some.
zines at vaur happiness. Let me do
80. Ware, ! want TO know yoga wife
ana 20 make her love me. not half
heartedly, but altogether and for al.
ways. She can do that dare say.
Meanwhile. dear Vane. spare her.
from your kisses. one for me!
p. S.-By the way. do not forget
chat coaxed Clarence's secret from
him that ii must be secret still.
I'm here at Leigh Court a week be-
fore my time; YOU know my old rest
lessness and sudden impulses! Be
sides. | had exhausted Paris, Adieu
--no--au reyoir!"
Word by word, he reads on-not
only reading but 1T airing as it We're.
the very voice, soft, insinuating. and
languid, of the fashionable beauty.
Word by word it arose and stung him.
His face went white u. times. and at
others crimson. Every taunt struck
home in his heart and ranked. AT
last he raised his head and, rush
ing her delicate scented note in his
hands. exclaimed:
ut is a lie"
But before the words had left his
fps the demon of doubt was at his
ear 1T is a he?" How did she
look when she heard the news OF his
identity with the Marquis of Fern
dale2 He remembered now that she
did not look surprised; troubled and
agitated. perhaps. but not surprised
Then-then-ab Clarence Fitz-
. I,