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

CHAPTER Xxx.
At those terrible words Jeanne
shrinks back, and looks at him as II
she fears ne has gone mad, or that
she has suddenly taken leave of her
own senses.
Not only is his voice utterly
changed, but his face has undergone
some wonderful transformation. Five
minutes ago she had looked around
and seen him leaning against the bal.
ustrade of the terrace, his handsome
race set In that peaceful look of re.
pose which man wears who has
dined wen and has his newly-made
bride within reach. Now it is hard
aud strained, haggard and working.
as If with some suppressed emotion.
At the instant one of those wild,
sudden thoughts strikes Jeannes
dazed brain suppose Vane. the lover
and the lovable, has gone forever,
and this marquis whom she has mar
ried is another person? 1t is a TAN
tastic thought, but it seizes her and
renders her motionless.
Jeanne-to whom the world is as
yet a shadowy. indistinct land, OF
which she has not the vaguest knowl-
edge-knows nothing of men, their
moods and their passions. Uncle John
is the sweetest-tempered biped that
ever trod the earth. Hal is but boy,
whose little outbursts Of ill-temper
are rather amusing than otherwise.
How should she know that she is con
iron ing enc OF the Ferndale black
fits" or. knowing il. understands how
to cope with il?
Old Mrs. Elem ng. Tully. Southall,
Willis. amy one of them, would know
better how To meet this terrible,
hard faced, passionate man than the
slight loving girl who faces BIN,
shrinking ana pan ing with alarm.
fhus they stand and look vt each
other the fury b,azing in Vanes
heart to white heat, rendering him
blind Ia reason or justieo-rendcrins
him insensible to love itself
Al las he turns. closes the door,
and speaks
Jeanne" he SAYS, and how differ.
entity the name leaves his lips, that
name which he was wont almost 10
sing. or SO seemed to Jeanne
Jeanne You have deceived me
II is simple thing to say: said
with smile and a earess. it amounts
to nothing but said as Vernon Vane,
Marquis Of Ferndale. utters it, it
sounds in Jeanne's ears as the ac-
cusation against criminal before a
stern. unyielding judge.
She looks at him for a moment
questioning'y. then her eyes droop.
Watching her with keen agony Of
fear and hope-the fear lest Lady
LUCILLE should be right, the hope that
Jeanne will meet him with a denial
and indignant question watching her
as if his life depended upon the
answer her face shall give him. he
noles that sudden droop, and smoth'
ers a groan.
Yes, he says. in low voice. all
the more terrible for its suppressed
intensity, YOU have deceived me.
Are YOU satisfied ,"
Jeanne raises her eyes; her face is
very pale, ana her lips quyering.
II do not understand. Oh. Yer.
non. what has happened" and she
clasps her hands in timid entreaty.
You do not understand! :" he re
peats. you are woman enough to
know the meaning of a lie"
Jeanne arts as ii he had struck
her-as indeed he had. to the heart.
For all your seeming. child-like In
uocenCe. You know how to deceive
with the acutest Of your sex. You
know the meaning of a lie. aud the
value of st."
She looks up to speak, TO remon-
strate, but the words die on her lips,
struck dumb by the intense bitterness
Of his haggard face and flashing eyes.
Are You satisded?" he repeats
/ You have played your part, YOU have
! won yonr game-are you satisfied
Jeanne finds words at last,
Tell me- she says. and her voice
sounds strained and unnatural, tel
me what I have done!"
AZ this simple prayer, uttered SC
( pathetlcally. most mems hearts would
have melted most mems anger would
/ have been turned aside, but in the
/ bitterness of his disappointment III
the anguish OF his own misery. Vane
knows no pity--the Ferndale temper
is inexplicable.
Il viii lie says but you Know
you have sold your soul for tbs
worthless price of a title, YOU hav,
/ bartered your honor and your truu
Scr dross. you have lent yourself t'
oeceit with the facility of the mos