Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-02

There is some talk of meeting the
shooting party at luncheon; would
Lady Ferndale like that? and how
would Lady Ferndale like 10 goE
Would she like to go in the saddle, or
drive?
One and ali consult her choice on
every point, each hanging on her de-
cision as if she were empress. Jeanne
smilingly refers it to the majority
anything will please her, and the mat
ter is still under discussion when the
gentlemen, looking, as Lady Lucille
prognosticated, very grave and sedate,
come clustering in.
Charlie and Clarence made straight
for the little group, OTHERS spread
about in search of comfortable seats;
Vane, after CHANGING in the direction
of the conservatory, goes across to
an old friend. and takes his cup or
tea, standing by his chair.
Luncheon is the word" says
Charlie Right! Go as you ike.
just SOL I'll ask vane to run through
the stables and find a horse for you.
If he can't, we can send for your
own"
Clarence is standing nes.T.
'.Mustapha used to carry lady,
Charlie he says, with suppressed
eagerness. '1'n answer for her quiet
ness. Will you try her. Lady Fern
dale? My sister used to ride her
You win be quite safe at anything"
Jeanne looks up.
Il hall deprive you she says.
'Hs can ride anything" says Char
lie. ~seke him at his word, Lady
Jeanne"
And so it is arranged by tacit con-
sent, that Jeanne is TO ride Clarence's
own horse.
Meanwhile, Lady Lucille finishes
her song, Notwithstanding Vane's
presence. If 1t be true that she sings
without heart, she sings with plenty
of art. Like everything else she does,
she plays and sings artistically, and
with that charm which grace alone
can yield.
Vane looks up from his cup to give
the general murmur of thanks, and
meets her eyes fixed on him.
"Do you remember that song?" she
says.
Vane tries to look as il he did not.
"Wnl you come and sing for us2"
He smiles, and shakes his head.
You refuse?" says Lady Lucille.
IL must &c and ask Lady Ferndale to
intercede, then" and she looks
around.
But Jeanne is not in the same
place. At the end of the conserva-
tory, leading to the terrace. there is
the glimmer of an embroidered dress,
and a tall figure remarkably like
Clarence's.
Rather than you should think that
trouble necessary" says vane, and
he comes to the piano as he speaks,
but reluctantly.
What viii you sing?" asks Lady
LUCILLE with downcast eyes, and a
thrill of triumph in her heart. He
had not sung for three months, and
he is singing for her!
anything there is" said Vane, not
conceitedly, hut indifferently.
She turns over the music, and
comes upon the Neapolitan song
which Jeanne had heard at the Gate
House some months ago.
Shall l play for you? l remember
every note. she adds. in low voice,
and her fingers touch the keys pen
sively for moment.
A murmur runs round the room.
The fame of Vane's voice is wide
spread. Men stick their hands IN
their pockets, and throw back their
heads, as is their wont when they
want to listen; women cease chatter
ing, and glide nearer the piano. There
is a profound silence, broken only
by the distant murmur of the two
persons at the end of the conserva-
tory, who were not listening-Jeanne
and Clarence.
How it happens that she is alone
with him here, Jeanne could not ex-
plain.
The new moon had drawn her to
the terrace, and she has drawn Clar.
ence.
Rather hot inside he says.
shall get you shawl, Lady Fern.
dale?'
Il never catch cold,' she says.
mo, l remember" he says; "you
are used to the open air. Does your
brother sail the Nancy Bell now?
How lonely he must be-
Jeanne's eyes grew tender. II Clar-
ence had ransacked the wide world
for a more engaging subject, he
could not have found one.
HE is not at home" she says, with
little sigh. He is at Baden"
Baden. is he?" says Clarence. I've
a brother there. / wonder whether he
knows him? I'll write to him and
ask him 10 look your brother up: he