Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-30
CHAPTER lv.-tcontlnusa.)

els II wise" he had asked. to court
the attention OF the people
rob am not afraid she had
answered. And they are going 10
dance. too"
~Theyi" He frowned.
~Whv not? Il is the queens own
idea. Let the people dance. she mas
said, and they will keep out oil ms
chief Besides" with prouder poise
of the bright head, why shouidn I
they see, and-like meT
"They like nothing except them-
selves. and" dryly, Ito attempt TO
eyade their just obligations
qCan you blame them?" She made
a light gesture. obligations. mon
pefe. are so tiresomel'
well, well, hastily. have your
own way" Although he spoke rather
shortly. on the whole he was not dis
pleased with his daughter: her be-
trothal with the Marquis de Beau
villers. nobleman OF large estates
arranged while she was yet child r.
promised a brilliant marriage and In
"A measure offered to his Exceliency
some compensation for that old and
long-cherished disappointment ~ the
birth of a girl when his ambition had
looked so strongly for an heir TO his
name as well as TO his estate.
And so ny lady and her guests
danced and made merry on the sands
below, and the people came out from
the mainland. or down from the
Houses in the town at the base OF the
rock. 10 watch A varied assemblage
OF gsuntlooking men and bent. low
browed wome". for the most part they
stood sullen and silent; though ex-
changing meaning. glalces now and
then as II to say: do you note all
this ostentation--alI this glitter and
display? Yes: and some day" Up
on brooding brows. in deep-set eyes.
on furrowed faces question and an
answer seemed TO CLEAN and pass.
Endowed with natural optir nj and
vivacity somewhat sheedlesss my
lady appeared unconscious OF all this
latent enmity until an unlOoked-for
incident, justifying I'm a measure the
governors demur. broke In upon the
evenings festivities and claimed her
attention.
on the beach. lighted by torches.
q dainty minuet was proceeding gaily,
when through tho throng OF ohlook.
ers a young man with dark head set
on q frame tail and powerful worked
"a Ia "a nj no Rp
he was Afforded at least restricted
view OF the animated spectacle. Alb
sprbed each IN his or her way in the
scene before them. no one noticed
rim. and, with hat drawn over his
brow. and Eaading in the shadow
OF the towering head-dresses OF sew.
eral peasant women. he seemed con
tent to attract as little attention to
himself as possible. His look. at first
quick and alert. that OF man taking
stock of his surroundings. suddenly
became intent and piercing. as. pass
ing In survey over the lowly spec
tators TO the glittering company, II
centered itself on the young mistress
of festivities
In costume white and shining, the
Lady Elise moved through the grace,
full numbers. her slender supple figure
now poised. now swaying. from head
60 foot responsive to the rhythm OF
that "pastime of little steps" Her
lips. too, were busy, but such was tina
witchery OF her motion--all fire and
life, the silkstockinged cavaliers
whom she thus RECALLED with wit
moekery, or Jest, could, for the mos,
oart. respond only with admirlnn
giauces or weakly protesting words
That pretty fellow. her partner.
with a contemptuous accent on the
adjective. "is the Marquis de Beau
villers. a kinsman of the king," sait
one OF the women in the throng.
MIA fol! They're well matched. 4
dancing doll for a pOpiniay!"
The young man behind the head
dresses. now nodding yiciously. moved
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