Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-13
CHAPTER XX

=
pair Of sleek, welEconditioned horses,
which was moving slowly along one Of
the fashionable streets Of London, seem
ed to particularly attract the attention
Of two men. who for some time had been
loungiug at the corner of an alley by
which the street was iutersected.
That's il" said one IF them
Are sou certain? said the other.
Yes. Don't you see that the body Of
the carriage is bottle-green- the
horses are iren-gray. and that there isn't
speek OF gliding about cariage or har-
ness? Anybody might know that it be-
longed to a straight-Iaced Puritan"
1T is easy enough te tell that, but
there's more than one strengthened Pur-
itan in the city who owns a coach and
two horses"
''There-what do you think uow?''
This question WIS ELECTED by the ska.
Of a young and lovely face which appear
ed ar one Of the carriage windows
L think you are right" was the an
swer. "RussGt-C loak's face is one OF
those which is not easily forgotten"
you understand your part OF the
game7r
Il am to be on the ground in season
to lend my assistance-that is, If you do
your part OF the business so that it will
be needed"
The other now fastened a few PAGES
forward SO as to be a little in advance
of the carriage. which was moving AT A
snail's pace The man commenced cross
ing the street. and when directly in front
Of the horses. drew a large sill. handker-
chief from his pocket. which. heedlessly
and unwittingly to all appearance, he
faunted full into the face Of one of the
animals, which had the effect to frighten
both. They Immediately commenced
plunging and rearing. SO As 10 become to-
tally unmanageahie, and before any of
the street passengers had time to inter
fere, the carriage struck against the curb
stone, and was overturned with heavy
crash. At the same moment. the horses,
with a sudden hound. freed themselves
from the pole of the carriage, and dart
ing madly forward, were almost instantly
out Of sight
4 strong, resolute looking countryman,
who was the first to reach the broken We
hicle. with some difficulty forced open the
door There were two ladies inside the
one whom the man had called Russell
Cloak, being young and very lovely, and
will be recognized as Alice Dale: while
the other. whom the countryman, who
had succeeded in opening the door. at
FIRST sight imagined TO be dead. was Mrs.
Eliiston. This, too, WAS the thought of
Alice, who, though mach frightened, had,
with the exception OF a sprained wrist,
escaped unharmed. BY this time, Ciar-
sncc Harleigh had come to their assist
ancc, who had seen from the window of
a house close at hand what had hap
pened.
Alice. are you hurt?" We're his first
words
lie then directed tho countryman 10 as
s,st him in carrying Mrs. Elliston to the
house where he had witnessed the diSas-
ter.
Keep close to us. Alice said Har-
leigh. Bat a man whom. he had rebuked
for his otfciousness had already stepped
in between them, 50 as 10 prevent her
from complying with his request
The next moment. the crowd which
| the accident had attracted TO the spot.
/ had closed round her Being hemmed in
on every side, she could see nothing OF
| HarIeigh. SO that even il she could have
| freed herself from the entangIements Of
| the throng, she would have been Mt loss
/ where to go.
Can you tell me. sir. said she. speak
| ing 10 deccntly clad man who stood
near her. where they have carried this
| lady who was In the carriage with m'
when it was overturned
Il can" said the man who from tbs
first had showed himself SO ofiicious. "ant
with your permission. viii. with muct
| pleasure, conduct you 10 where you Wi
find your friends. Hold fast by NY arm
and il these knaves don't choose TO fal
back and give their hetters free pass.
/ viii give them lesson IN manners whiei
| they won't soon forget"
When | have mind To take lessor
in manners" said man whom he rough
ly pushed aside. Il sha'n't take 1t Of ou'
Of Gil Falkland's lackeys, without givini
him one in return aud To show that h
/ meant as he said. he gave the man :
sharp clip across the shoulders with hi
quarter staff.
Alarmed at this. and still more at ind
ing that the man who had offered he
ais aid was in the employ Of Falkland
she let so OF mis- arm and endeayOred t
make her escape.
Il would give you taste Of my "a