Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-09-24

looked out OH the gay flowers and the
sea and the worn grim face OF the
clin; then left his room and made his
way downstairs. No one was yet, APP
parently, astir; an hour or so must
! elapse ere the time set for departure,
and. pending the turn of the tide and
I adieu TO old Pierre, the young man
stepped into the garden. through the
gate. and, turning into a rocky path,
STROBE out over the cliffs. The island
was small: It's walks limited, and soon,
despite a number OF difficulties in the
way he had chosen. he found himself
at its end-the verge OF a great rock
that projected out over the blue, sui
len sea. For some moments he stood
there. listening TO the sounds in cav
ems below. watching the snow-capped
waves. the ever-shifting spots on a
vast map and then. shaking or his
reverle. started to return
"A brisk wind to take us back 10
France" he said to himself: but his
thoughts were not OF possible April
storms, or of his ship. His eyes.
bright. yet perplexed. az IL from some
problem whose solution be had not
yet found. were bent downward. only
to be raised where the path demanded
his closer attention. AS he looked up.
he became suddenly aware Of the fig
IRE Of n girl. who approached from
the opposite direction.
A quick CLINT spranq to the young
mans eyes. and. pausing. he waited:
watched. At that point. the way ran
over a rock, almost eaten through by
the hungry sea, and she had already
started to cross when he first saw her.
The path was not dangerous: nor was
II easy; only Il called for certainty
and assurance on the part OF the one
that elected to take Il. MY lady's
light tootstep was sure: although the
wind swept rather sharply there. she
held herself with confident poise.
while from tho brown eyes shone a
clear. steady light.
Il saw you leave the Inn" she said.
drawing near the comparatively shel.
tered spot. where he stood. "and know.
ing you would soon sail. followed.
There is something | wanted to say.
and-and felt | should have no other
chance TO tell youi"
Had she read what was passing in
his brain. she would not have faced
him. so confident but. ignorant Of
what he had learned. the cause of
varying lights in his dark eyes, the
tender play OF emotion on his strong
features. she preached her subject
with steadfastness of purpose
You went away so suddenly the
last time. | had no opportunity. then,
TO thank you for all that you did
and so, do now-thank you. | mean,
Also" touch OF prouder constraint
In her tone, Il appreciate your over
generous proposal through Pierre La
roche; although Of couree." her fig
ure very straight. Il could MOTT was
impossible entertain 1t. But I ana
glad you were able to prove You will
understands and" my lady ended
quickly. II thank you!"
He looked at her long 1T is / who
am in your debit"
''You?" Her brows lifted.
Yes"
don't think | quite understand"
In spite OF herself and her resolution,
the proud eyes seemed to shrink from
nameless something In his gaze.
Nor l! Nanette vas talking with
ME last night"
'Nanetta!"
In words, direct. unequiSocal, he
told her what he had learned: and al
though my lady laughed. as at some
thing absurd. and strove to maintain
lenged evasion. demanded truth. At
that moment the space where they
stood seemed. perhaps. too small: TO
hem her very closely in--too closely
as. drawing back. she touched the hard
rocky wall,
WHY" Still endeayoring TO regard
him as II the charge could only be pre-.
p0sterous. too unreasonable to an
swer. she was, nevertheless. conscious
of the flame on her face-tacit refuta.
ton of the denials in her eyesi
Why" she repeated.
That Is just what | was asking ny.
self when | saw you. my Lady"
And. OF course. knowing there
could be no-that It was too senseless
-" The words she was searching for
failed her; She looked toward the path
over the neck of rock. but he con.
'inued 10 stand between it and her.
I have heard the story In gil its de-
tails;' All that passed AT the Mount