Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-07-13
CHAPTER Xiv.

awakens to- find the sun stealing
through the lattice window and fall
ing on Jeanne's face.
where am I-oh, Jeanne! Yes
yes. / remember. and ! have been
asleep"
Like child, 1earl" says Jeanne,
and she stoops to kiss her.
Verona puts her arm round Jeannes
neck, and looks at her suddenly and
questioningly. Is it the sun on the
face that looks down on her lovingly,
or what is it that has made Jeanne's
beauty so strangely, SO freshly bright.
The face was pale, and wistful, and
sad, as Verona had often seen 1t, last
night; now it is alight with strange
vivid happiness, and blushes-actu-
ally blusheg as he evades Veronas
questioning gaze.
Are you--awake-quite awaken
says Jeanne.
Eyes, dear Jeanne! And you-you
have been asleep! How well you look
--and-different somehow All, you
have some good newsi"
"of Hal? No, not yet" saws Je-
anne; "but--but vane. my husband"
how she fingers On That sweet titlel
my husband is here"
THE marquis?" says Verona, rather
alarmed.
yes: don't be frightened. dear"
says Jeanne, smiling, che is, and al
ways win be, your friend. Come, be
quick and dress, and ] will go and
see to the breakfast. There is no
fear, now that vane is here"
There is a pleasant hustle and con-
fusion downstairs; 1t is not every
day That the inn has such disun-
guished guests as the Marquis and
Warehouses of Ferndale and live
princess, and when the three arrive
downstairs they find breakfast
which would not do discredit to the
castle in the matter of fresh trout,
eggs, cream and venison.
And vane. when Verona appears.
timid and blushing, is all kindness
and consideration His own newly
found happiness makes him more
gentle and sympathetic than ever,
and, as he leads her to the table, he
says, quietly, but with calm conf
denoe:
Jeanne has told me all, princess;
you must let me be your friend
II is very little to say; but We
roma knows the power of the great
marquis and gradually grows much
at ease, though she looks every now
and then at the window wistfully.
AS for Jeanne. still attired in her
riding-habit, she is like a girl just
from school for the holidays, who has
met by chance with her lover.
George has not been forgotten, foi
vane has been outside and has giver
him good scolding and ten-pount
motel
In the middle of breakfast there
comes the sound of a horseman, ami
In few minutes there is the clattel
of hoofs, and Hal bursts in, to stoT
at the door and stare az Vane as Il
he had been ghost
'Vanel" he exclaims; you here?'
why not?" says Vane. " Do you
think you can ride backward and
forward along country road in the
night without people knowing It!
Here. come and sit down and keep
the news until you have had your
breakfast Princess, will you make
some room for him?" and Verona
oiushing almost as deeply as Hal
does as she is bid.
Well" says Hal, with long
breath, "if this doesn't beat any,
thing; but, oh, Vane, I'm so glad
Has Jeanne told you
Everything" says vane. smiling
Eat your breakfast, and Wen face
the enemy afterward,"
But the enemy is impatient, for
just as Hal has taken his cup of cot.
fee, and begun TO whisper to Verona,
the door opens and the count ap-
pears.
Hal springs TO his feet, but Vane,
with a gesture of command forces
him down again, and goes forward.
White as death. Verona falls back
into HATS arms, and Jeanne, no less
agitated, flies to her. Vane alone
seems cool and self-possessed: with
quiet composure, he places himself
between the count and the rest and
holds out his hand
The count, grinning and grimacing,
refuses to take his eyes off the group,
and is about to speak, when Vane
stops him.
Il expected you, count" he says.
will you step outside with me?"
and, putting his hand on the counts
arm, he leads him out.
But the count, having succeeded in
tracking his prey. refuses to be led
too far, and pulls up, as straight and
upright as soldier. outside the 7oor.
Vane smiles in spit OF himself
20 not be alarmed, count. he
says; y will answer that our yoang
friends will not attempt to escape -
Sol" says the count, livid with
passion. but making a last attempt 10
keep up his old carelessness. You
viii answer for them, my lord 1t is
well: l am only too delighted: but
permit me to remind you that her
highness. the Princess Verona, is pos.
sessed Of legal guardian. and that
If she were not and he touches
hi