Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-05-28
CHAPTER XVI.


Among the passengers who landed at
Gravesend from the Orient was a short,
MISUNDERSTANDING man, with
shrunken yellow face and a pompous
manner. He went TO the best hotel, and
gave autocratic orders, and generally
comported himself as one accustomed to
rule and dictate.
Obsequious walters bowed before him,
and conducted him to private sitting
room already ordered. requested his i'm
structions as to dinner, and presented
offerings in the shape of newspapers and
magazines to while away the time until
that meal should be ready.
Il am expecting a visitor" said the
pompous individual. 'You will show him
here directly he arrives"
His solitude was not of long continu-
ance. A knock at the door was speedily
followed by the appearance of his expect
ed visitor. For an instant the two men
surveyed each other critically, as il TAX
ing mental notes of each others capabili-
ties.
Then the occupant Of the chair nodded
carelessIy, and remarked:
Count Savona, | presumed"
"At your service. sir" said the stran-
ger, with a polite bow that seemed 10
convey rebuke against the boorishness
Of his reception.
Take chair" SAID the Ttnglishman.
I'm John Marsden, as. no doubt, you
guess. Now, may ask why you've
thought proper to drag me over all these
/ thousands Of miles OF sea and land? 1t
nearly cost me my life, | assure you.
Tiger-cats may be very pretty things to
look at and play with, but they're the
mischief with their claws"
IS, presume" said the Count with
/ quiet smile. Il am a wise man, Mr.. Mrs
| den. and leave such playthings to those
who like scratches better than purring.
However, since you are here, let us to
business You may be very sure | have
not asked you to come to England for
nothing. What would you say i. in
formed you that there was a nice little
property with comfortable rent-roll at
your disposal-dependent only on a very
simple condition."
The sallow face flushed suddenly.
What do you meanT asked John
Marsden.
Just wat say. The property comes
| to your wife. | have taken the trouble
/ to trace it out--no small trouble or diff
| Guilty, assure you. 1t is fortunate that
| you did not come to open warfare, be-
cause you have an opportunity now for
| being maguanimous. Ske knows nothing
yet. You have only to throw yourself at
her feet, or let her throw herself at yours,
TO forget and forgive the past. and step
into the position OF an English land own-
err"
II can't believe IT,"
The Count shrugged his shoulders,
"Odd that people always ind it harder
to believe good fortune than bad. It's
| quite true, assure you. | advised you
to come home because il is better policy
20 make up your quarrel with your wife
| before she learns that she is an heiress
Ii looks disinteres.ed now. A month
hence it won't"
"But-but," stammered John Marsden
foolishly, Il don't think she will make
it up. I've insulted her, quarrcled with
her-IYs neyeg sent her a penny since
you told me about her goings On with
that fellow Grant, and now how the
deuce can / go TO her and expect her to
be friends? She'll never come back"
All" said the Count, with his chill
English law. Madame the wife may
quarrel as she peases with monsieur the
husband, but when monsieur the husband
desires that she shall live under his roof
madame cannot help herself, unless
well, your wife is not woman to avail
herself Of that outlet, or she would have
| done it before now. Do you know how
she has supported herself these three
| years.
No" said John Marsden. sulkiy.
by writing. She is quite a celebrated
authoress now. You don't know what a
gold mine you have found.
Where is she nowT'
AT Vaux Abbey, with her friends the
Dunbars. Oh. assure you her conduct
has been quite irreproachable. When
your telegram came. refusing to receive
her in India, she was with her father.
After the FIRST shock was over she rec.
ognized and accepted her position with
out a murmur, turned her wits 70 work,
and took TO writing; stuck TO ii, perse-
vered at it, won recognition despite the
difficulty, aud has fairly foated herself
now. She's a wonderful woman, my
friend. I'm inclined 10 think you threw
her away a little too easily"
You seem TO know a great deal about
her" said John Marsden, looking at the
Count suspiciously.
Il DO You are not Jealous. are you?
make it my business TO know every
thing about anyone in HON / am inter
ested."
And why has my wife the honor Of
arousing your INTEREST,""
That is not the point at issue. We
need not discuss it,
And you are sure this fellow Grant
was in love with her?''
AS sure as that / live
And she with him2'
Certainly. But only paionicaIly in
love. The sort Of thing one reads Of il