Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-07-11
CHAPTER LII.

Answer me at once-at once, do
you ear! Tell me what took you
out of the house at day-break, and
why you was home so late last night.
Let her be, Martial" grumbled
Farmer Brown, who was trying To
spell through the newspaper, alter
eating hearty midday meal.
Il shall not let her be- retorted
the angry woman. She shall know
who's mistress here, | can tell her.
Taking advantage OF my being wanted
at Mrs. Dixon's farm last night, she
must needs go trolloping about till
any hour. l don't believe she went
nigh the castle. Answer me! What
kept you so late, and what took you to
the town this morning, sneaking out
when we were fast asleep?"
Il cannot tell you, Aunt MARTHA -
the girl answered quietly-not sui
lenly, but firmly.
Cannot tell me, indeed, you hussy!
Well, we'll see whether l can make
you. Do you think me and your un-
Gle have got nothing to do but keep
you in shoe-leather-a great, idle,
good-for-nothing girl that eats us
out of house and homer
Alice was silent, while her uncle
stirred uneasily IN his chair.
There, Martha-that'll do"
NO, it won't. l mean to make her
tell me all. Where were you last
44gnI and this morning, where is the
basket, and what message did Mrs.
Grey send?'
Il cannot answer" said Alice,
again very quietly.
Then I'll make you'll" cried Mrs.
Brown furiously, taking up farmers
whip that hung on a nail
Martial" exclaimed her hus-
band.
LET her strike me, uncle" said the
girl with flashing eyes. eff she does
| will appeal to the castle for protec-
ton"
Something in Alice's look checked
the angry woman. She dropped her
hand.
THE castle?" she muttered sullenly.
A fine thing"
A loud knocking at the door inter-
rupted her words. She stared for an
instant, while Alice grew cold and
still. She knew the summons was for
her.
Mrs. Brown flung open the door, then
courtesied respectfully as she saw be-
fore her, on horseback, the chief mag
istrate of the neighborhOod, and
three or four policemen.
Good morning, Mrs. Brown" said
the magistrate, Sir Robert Carlyle.
Il wish to ask you a few questions.
Sergeant, hand Mrs. Brown the basket.
Mrs. Brown, does that belong to your"
Mrs. Brown took it and recognized it
at once as the one she had filed with
eggs the night before.
Eyes, your honor" she said with
another courtesy. 1T is mine, but"
glancing around rather fearfully at
the policeman, may l ask"
when did you use that basket
last?" inquired Sir Robert.
Last night, your honor I packed
it with eggs for Mrs. Grey, at the
castle, and gave it to our Alice to
carry"
The farmer had risen, and was star
ing at the proceedings in alarm.
Where is Alice?" enquired the
magistrate next.
"Just behind. Here, Alice, you're
wanted. Now you'll find, MISS" in a
low whisper to the girl, what it is to
be rude to me; your punishment's
come"
Alice took no notice. She moved
forward into the doorway.
What is your name?" asked Sir
Robert
'Magaret Dornton, sir, but am al
ways called Alice.
Then, Miss Dornton, please will
you answer me this question? Were
you carrying that basket through the
woods to the castle last night?''
Alice looked at him straight.
Eyes, sir, I was" she answered.
Then you must accompany me,
please, at once to the castle; you will
be wanted"
Alice tied on her cotton sun-bonnet
without another word, while her aunt
stared, silent through amaZement.
At last she found her tongue:
what has Alice done? Tell me,
your honor. Is she going to be pun
ished for"
There is an inquest up at the cas-
tie, Mrs. Brown. Captain Rivers was
murdered in the woods last night, and
Miss Dorton is chief witness against
the suspected murderer, Lord Roy
Darrell"
Mercy sakes!" calculated Mrs.
Brown, as Alice walked quietly down
the courtyard to the village fly that
was waiting.
The girl sat back in her corner ST.
lent, as she was bowled along the
wide country lane that led by to the
castle.
She was thinking, wondering if she
still dreamt, whether the horrors OF
the past night, the strange hurried
marriage of the morning, the knOwl-