Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-16
By CHARLES CARvICE
Continued.

ferently. I'm not sure; / don't
know. No, l should say not. Jeanne
is very pretty"
The girl looks at him with a grave
little smile playing about her mo-
bile lips.
@She is pretty-and not like you"
she says. And she's the marchion-
ess-is that right? Yes. the Konigs
schloss is a beautiful place. Do
YOU know the villa verona?"
NO says Hal. is that ana
he hesitates.
seThet Is where liye-where am
staying" she says. frankly. IT Is
little white house-oh, not so large
as the schloss!-just by the church"
Il know" says Hal. Perhaps 1
might mean-that is"
"Yes?"
81 thought" says Hal, fumbling
with his basket, with very red face,
that / might, that you wouldn't
mind If / called TO ask If that beasuy
hook hadn't hurt your arm much"
'ewill your" she says, not eagerly.
but with a frank smile Of pleasure.
"That is very kindi | shall be very
gladl 1t is very quiet and dull-is
quiet the right word? You see, / DO
not speak English very we'll"
Why" exclaims Hal. enthusiastic
ally, "you speak it perfectly! Your
grammar is first-rate, and-and-in
fact, you couldn't speak it better If
you tried"
Now 'ou are complimentary" she
says, "and that is not like your coun-
lrymen-they always speak the
truth
DO they?g says Hal ironically.
Not always, by George"
There is minutes silence after
this subtle burst of satire. She
breaks 1t.
Are you staying all alone?"
mo" says Hal; i've got my coach
with me-"
She stares at him, opening her dark
eyes to their widest.
your coach-and-four? she asks.
''No--noi" says Hal, laughing. My
tutor, Peter Bell, clergyman, who
looks after me-" he adds with smile,
'and sees don't get into mischief
and fall into the water. 2 ugh by
the way, / had to pull him out of the
lakel He is at the hotel; it was too
hot for him, and he stayed behind,
reading the paper"
And are you going to be clergy
MANI" she asks. thoughtfully.
Not l." said Hal. decidedly; I'm
going to be a barrister or going into
the army--I don't quite know which.
But it's holiday time just now"
Il see.'' she says, musing. well.
hope you viii be happy"
Hal doesn't bow, as he ought to-
doesn't lift his hat; but, in blunt fash.
ion. he says:
"Thanks--the same TO you"
And 1t is much to his surprise that.
instead OF smiling In reply. as an
English girl would do she looks
dreamily before her, and signs.
Suddenly-too suddenly for Hal
she stops short at little path.
% go along here" she says. I'VE
must say good-by."
Good good-by," says Hal. and he
raises his nat.
She makes him little bow. grave
and demure, and is about to pass on,
when Hal suddenly bethinks him.
OH" he says Watt mean, do
you mind telling me your name $50
that l can inquire, you know"
My manner" she says. Yes. My
name is Verona the Princess We.
roma" and she smiles.
Hal stands turned into stone. A
true Englishman, he respects rank.
This simple, frank girl, whose arm he
has been cutting about with his pen.
knife, is a prineessl What right has
he to be walking so far with so great
a lady?
He lifts his hat
-good-evening," he says. a
didn't know. OF course | won't call.
Good-evening," and he is about to
turn away, when he feels a soft,
warm hand on his arm.
What is the matter? Have l of.
Tended you, sir?"
offended" echoes Hal, taken
abaek. mo- How should Soug.
Then why will you not CALF" she
asks, iRnocently.
Because" says Hal, then he stops
short; because l didn't know that
you We're a princess. Your people.
you eel mean your people wouldn't
thank me for being so free-and.easy.
Tm--well--I expect they wouldn't
consider me good enough. I'm not a
prince"
No" she says, with a little puzzled
smile. ''Will you tell me your name?
MY name is Bertram," says Hal.
Harry Bertram. I'm called Hal"
Hal" she repeats, and the name
sounds for the first time in the boys
ears like {. note of music Hal Ber-
tram. It is pretty name. And why
will you not call, Mr.. Bertram?"
"Oh!" says Hal, don't call me MIR.
Bertram''
"No2 Hal Bertram, tnen,n she
says evidently anxious to please him.
why will you not call?"
Well" he says. well, yes. then. /
will call, your highnesst"