Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-01-19
Continued.

BACK! aul shE NV @ S-A7''
No"
He looks at her for a moment in
silence, then. with harsh laugh, he
exclaims:
No. Why should you? After ali
We are but as many others. One
man in a thousand, one woman in a
thousand. marries for love; the re-
naming nine hundred and ninety
nine are content with the shadow
and semblance Why should you
60"
Jeanne shrank back with look OF
terror on her face.
Il will go" she says, moving to
ward the door.
Stop" he says, AID his voice Is as
A..id as steel, and as unrelenting.
you forget. As the wife OF Vernon
Vane you might have left your hus-
band of an hour, your home OF
day, and the world have been little
the wiser and none the worse; but
you married the Marquis OF Ferndale.
With your coror = YOU purchased re-
sponsibilities. From this day forth
every act of yours is known and com
mented on. You cannot go back with
out setting the dogs OF the news
papers on your track. You have
wronged me, will you add TO that
wrong the additional injury OF scan
DIAL? This house has hitherto been
free from the shadow OF scandal; will
you set the tongue OF every servant
wagging, and the country agape, By
leaving your home on your wedding
night?"
Colby, with cruel distinctness, he
appeals to her. The madness still
holds possession of him, and renders
him merciess both to her and him
self
God knows" be says, with sup
pressed bitterness, If this day 5
work could be erased, my hand
should be the first to wipe II out l
say 1t calmly; act you as calmly.
You cannot repair by flight the injury
you have done; you will but add a
sharper sting to 1t by publicity You
are no child. Jeanne, you have
proved yourself too much woman;
think before you set every tongue
wagging, every finger pointing at the
man whose love you won by deceit
and concealment! Besides" and his
lips twist into a painful smile, why
should you cast aside al you have
played for? You are the Marchion-
ess of Ferldale, this is your house,
your settlement deeds are in my law
yer's hands already signed. Yester-
day | reverenced your simple, gen
erous, childlike nature too deeply to
speak OF such matters. Tonight.
knowing what | know can speak
out. have made as ample, and
more ample, provision Tor you. than
il you had a score Of lawyers at your
back. All this is yours, YOU cannot
leave it--yon have robbed me of my
heart. do not take away my good
aame by leaving your home
She ia at the door, but she hest.
something in the word, or the
tone of the last word, touches her to
the heat ana wrings t. With low
cry she sinks into couch, and hides
her face.
Vane turns whittier than before, his
mad passion. already half spent.
falls suddenly like an exhausted
flame. With groan he strides across
the room, and, kneeling beside her,
lays his burning hand ON her bare
arm.
Jeanne" he breathes. 1ercely
SAY that YOU love me"
AT his touch, at the almost savage
energy OF his words. she shudders
and springs to her feet, 1t is her
turn now.
do not touch me- she breathes,
all the passionate indignation of a
woman scorned blazing in her eyes.
DO not come near me. You have
driven me half,mad. but have sense
to remember what you have accused
me Of You-you think | married
you for all this" and she waves her
hand with a scornful gesture. You
think me false, and treacherous, and
deceitful You hate and despise me!
but you win not let me go back
though | want to go-yes, want 10
go! But it is true that | deceived
you-you do not understand why; You
cannot you are too UNJUST | did de
ceiYe yop and / will bear the punish
ment, Because | did it will stay
| win not do YOU any further harm
as ! have done you so much. This
great place is large enough for both
Of us. You have said that we are
apart-we will Teep so. l will stay
until YOU tell me / may go-until you
tell NE that | may go" and With O
sob she presses her hands TO het
eyes and moves toward the door.
He rises slowly. ana looks at hel
with bewilderod stare Is thi.
Jeanne-the yielding. loving girl whl
used to cling to him blushingly, st
ehildIike In her ways, and words t&at
it seemed dissertation to kiss Ter,
This proud. passionate. Indignant
woman canuot be Jeanne.
But surprise is mingled with ang
overhorne By admiration Never la.
she seemed so lovely in his eyes "a
she appears now her 1.-the graceU
figure drawn to its full height. he
eyes flashing like diamonds, her lip
apart.
"Jeannei' he cries. .hoarsely "wha
have said I--for Heavens sake for
get it, Jeanne. come back to me
There is some uistake-'