Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-03-02


make their appearance, however. He
returned to the hotel in very bad
humor, and quite ready to pick quar-
rel with the count, if he should make
his appearance, and. in default of that
highly polished nobleman's presence,
amused himself by teasing Bell. which
he could always do BY pretending dis
belief In the existence OF Homer. CON
corning which ancient poet Bell was
enthusiastic.
And now. as he rode along. it
seemed ages since he saw her yes
terday. quite centuries since She
looked up into his face and fastened
the camellia in his buttonhole.
II expect she won't ride this morn
ing he muttered; "or else she's had
her gallop and gone home. Just my
luck. And. if were to see her, /
don't know what I should say to her.
| can't go on making her presents OF
fish. / might give her my penknife,
just to create a bit of conversation.
Oh. I'm making an idiot of myself
But he still rode on, and still
watched, meeting with nothing human
excepting boy driving cows, air
through the valley and up the hill the
ascent of which caused his steed to
pun and groan like grampus.
I'm glad ! don't meet her with this
beast roaring like a bull of Bashan,
he crf,,r1, }, lad old
wen have a gallop along the top, just
to see if you can bend your legs"
Any one less preoccupied would
have turned to admire the scenery,
but the grand expanse of fir-clad hills
gets not a glance from Hal. Even
his brother-in-law's castle, stretched
out below him, grandly majestic in
the sunlight. scarcely attracts his at
tention, and he rider on, with his eyes
fixed before him, until suddenly much
TO the establishment of his horse. he
pHlls up.
Right before him, revealed by
sharp curve of the mountain land, is
a girl on horseback. SO motionless
the steed and rider stand. that they
might be an equestrian statue
But the noblest statue in the Vati
can could not bring the blood to Halls
face as the sight of the slim. habit
clad girl on her thoroughbred horse.
He becomes motionless. too, but
presently Carlo bounds from among
the trees with a deep bay and the
princess turns her head and sees him.
Hal rides up bareheaded, and IS
greeted with as innocent a light OF
pleasure i'm her dark eyes
And you have taken my advice!"
she says, "and so soon; and is it NOT
beautiiul?"
Hal looks around for the first time,
but his eyes come back to her face
almost instantly.
Yes, very fine" ne says, scarcely
noticing the view Very fine"
And the castle, do you see that"
She asks I'VE are all in Forbach so
proud OF the castle 1t is grand, is 1t
not -
YES, says Hal, throwing swift
glance at the noble pile.
Our poor little villa looks an ant
hill i'm comparison she says, with
smile
4 dop't think so" says Hal
Stand still, You brute" This was to
the horse. OF course.
"He is frightened at Carlo, says
The princess. Carlo, come here Is
he your horse?
THANK heaven, no." says Hal q
got him In the village after vast
amount OF trouble He is the prize
stud OF Forbaeh wish you could
have seen the animal they first Of
fered me. Stand still. will you?
give YOU my word, | have had the
greatest trouble to get him along
when | wanted to go, and newsstand
still"
let us get down" says the prln-
cess. q always walk to the point 1t
is dangerous to ride so near. This Is
a beautiful view"
Hal drops from the saddle, and goes
to help her to dismount.
With a light touch on his arm. she
floats down to the ground, and gath
ering her habit,skirt. leads the way.