Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-06
cHAPTFR xvf.-lContlnued.)

CHAPTER AN1.-tCOnuuued.J
She reached the closet in time to enter
and close the door, though, in her haste,
she made no attempt to fasten it, nor did
she observe that Persian scarf thrown
carelessly over shoulders had fallen
10 the floor at g moment of her en-
trance Ii was of a light though rich
fabric, with deep embroidery of gold,
the sight Of which was so tempting in the
eyes of her pursuer, that he stopped and
picked it up. This delay, trifing as IT
was. saved her.
Hold, on your perilr' exclaimed Har-
leigh springing forward as the man was
in the act Of opening the door.
The interior OF the closet. however, pre-
scented precisely the same appearance as
IL had the preceding evening. The look
of blank establishment depicted on the
countenance of each az the ruiiians Nigh.
on a different occasion excite mirth: no@,
the predom.nating emotion in the mind Of
Harle!gf. 81 well as of the Jew, who
had deseFIbed to him the retreat Of Abb,
now shared by Alice. though he had not
mentioned the name Of the latter, was one
of deyonf thaukfulness.
Il should almost believe that my eyes
had played me false, if it weren't for
this" said Mat, holding up the scarf.
Meanwhile Skellum was eagerly exam
lining the closet. to ascertain by what
means she had made her escape.
Let him satisfy himself" said the
jew. seeing that Hareigh and the stran-
ger regarded him with looks of impa-
tience There is no danger of his dis
covering the manner Of her egress.
III hadn't tried the thickness Of these
walls last night" said Skellum, who soon
gave up his search as hopeless, Il would
try what q few well-aimed blows would
do
AS the trial seems to have been sat
isfaetory," said Harleigh. you may as
well go now
And leave that scarf behind you" said
the stranger. addressing Mat. who was
about to tie it round his waist.
We shall do neither the one no. the
other, unless we please" said Skellum,
answering both for himself and eomrade
That's what we won't" said Mat.
The strangers only answer to this was
taking possession OF the scarf, which he
did with perfect ease. feat that evident
ly raised him in the estimation Of all
three of the wretches. who had been in
clined to believe that the conciliatory
manner he had previously adopted to-
ward tAem was the result of tim'dity.
You prefer to remain here a while
IongeFT' said Harleigh, again addressing
Skellum
Yes. be replied, sulienly, land you
needn't trouble yourself about it if we
do"
Very well. :" said Harleish, I'VE win.
in the meantime. see what can be done to
procure an escort for you"
He means the police" whispered Mat.
Corkle then turned to Harleigh and the
stranger and said:
There's no use in trying TO frfghten
us-that is no easy matter; but II the
gentleman win be so ohltging as to let us
try how we shall feel with a few of those
gold pieces he showed us in our pockets,
II will go away quietly myself, and use
my influence TO persuade the others to
follow my example"
1T IL too late now" said the stranger;
"Im no longer in the vein. When | Of
fered yau gold, I didn't take you for the
misereants you have proved yourselves to
be You have already annoyed these in
offensive people Win your presence, HlucH
too long-longer than this gentleman and
myself would have permitted, had it not
been that we felt indisposed TO engage
in hvawl with such fellows as you, es-
pceially beneath a peaceablc and respec-
table reef
After having waited a minute or two,
finding thatt they seemed disposed TO
maintain their ground, he made a sign
70 Mizas The boy understood it. and
at once prepared to obey. The ruifians.
however appeared to think it best 10
make good their retreat. which they did.
with muttered threats. among which the
words, I'VE shall yet have our revenge;
the old jew doesn't know what there is
in store for him." could be distinguished
After leaving the ship. as they passed
a little dark court of which the house
aud an outbaildiug belonging TO the jew
formed two IL the sides, Corkle said in
whisper The dumb witness that lies
there VIII make it 80 hard with the old
jew"