Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-06-22

Let me stay Win tCus muiu1uiS
Verona: but Jeanne, who does not in
( tend to sleep, and is anxious that
Verona should. laaghingly refuses.
What, and break those good peo-
pies hearts by refusing TO use the
pretty room they have got ready for
you? See, we will have the door
ajar, and to all inients 1t is one
room. And don't be frightened if you
wake and see me standing beside the
bed watching over you"
By course of judicious soothing
and loving banter, Jeanne at last gets
her way, and Verona, worn out by
excitment and emotion, lies fast
asleep, and Jeanne, who has sat be
side her until the dark eyes droop
and close, arises and returns 10 her
own room. YEARLY sre sinks onto
chair, and, pushing her hair from
her forehead, tries to draw the tan
gled skein Of the days events into
order. She herself can scarcely per
suade herself that it is not dream,
and that she will not awaken pres
entity to find herself back at the cas-
tie in her own room.
All is still within the house, so
still that the rustic of the leaves on
the vine that climbs and covers the
balcony sounds on her ears like the
distant swish or the sea as it flows
softly at the foot Of the cliffs.
The cliffs! the dear old house!
Il shall see it soon, in day or
two, she thinks, and her head droops.
With what unutterable feelings she
had left it; what anticipations OF de-
light and happiness had accompanied
her farewell, and now-wita a long
sigh, Jeanne covers her face in her
/ hands, and the tears trickle slowly
through her white fingers. Where
was the love that had promised TO
bring her such happiness? For one
short day it had lasted. then the
long night which promised no re-
turning day
A tear drops onto the skirt of her
habit. and Jeanne starts; not since
the night of her wedding day has
she wept: pride has dried up her
tears and kept her heart sore and
aching. but now, in this wayside inn,
she can weep. Is it because she feels
so lonely ? Is it because distance.
actual, tangible distance. is between
her and the man she loves. making
the gulf which always stretched be
tween them more distant and en-
phatic
With a sudden effort she arises,
and goes 20 the window.
1t IT, her last night in Germany:
and It is spent away from her home
in wayside inn. She smiles sadly.
''Will they have missed me?' she
thinks. No, they will think have
gone to my room. and Hal viii be
there and explain everything. If he
had missed me, would he have cared?
No, Vane's love has gone from me.
forever!"
Half mechanically she opens the
window and steps out on the bal
cony. 1t is warm inside the house.
and the night air blows cool and re.
freshing on her hot brow
Il wonder what time it is?" she
thinks, and her hand goes to her
watch-poeket; but in her hurried de.
parture Fleming had forgotten to
give her a watch.
! Darkest before dawn, they say,
she thinks, looking wistfully at the
black ridge of hills which she can
Just see in the horizon. ut must be
near dawn. My last night Why
does vane go back so suddenly-so
mysteriously? and why did he look
and speak so sternly? What are
they doing now? They have all gone
TO bed by this time. or very nearly.
Hal has reached the castle, and is
telling Vane that | am here-at Dur
bach. Will he be angry?"
Then her thoughts fly of to We
roma.
Poor child-how little she makes
of her danger! Wrapped in her love,
she gives scarcely thought to the
count. At this moment he may be
on her track, and then what shall ]
do?"
Instinctvely she goes back into the
room. and bends over Verona's bed.
With a sigh, almost of envy, Jeanne
sets down the light. Peaceful as a
child's, the beautiful face lies upon
the pillow, the. lips half-parted with
a smile.
Dreaming" says Jeanne, turnirg