Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-07-23
CHApTER u.-fCoptinued.)

the forest, her thoughts upon the strange
break that had come into her life, she
kecame conscious of the fact that she
was no longer alone, that some one stood
leaning against a tree just in front OF
her With a start she looked up and her
ayes fell upon a strange girl.
There was no mistaking what she was,
for, although dressed much different, ana
In much more costly apparel than all the
xypsies Carol had ever seen, as II she
was of foreign blood. there was the IN
smistakable gypsy stamp about her race
and peculiar costume.
ga, child of the house dweller," she
said BE not in haste to leave me.
have come here with the purpose of meet
ing you. for / have something to tell
you
Something to say to me? OF whom
would you talk p asked Carol, surprised.
''0f Roger Darrell"
The three words went like an arrow
home to the heart of the pale lily, ana
the black eyes, quick TO see the startled
look of pain, took upon themselves a
glow that one could easily imagine was
satisfaction.
Carol saw this, and it served to give
her fictitious strength. She OWNED now
that something terrible was about TO be
made manifest, and while her soul sick
.ened with apprehension, she assumed
brave front
What would you tell me of Roger
Darrel, grip
HAS it never occurred to you that
this lover of yours has a secret? There
is something in Roger barrels past that
will chill your blood with horror-a skele-
ton that he has trleG - bury these years
back, but which viii not be kept under
ground. Al. he has deceived you, as he
deceived ne. Soft words blind tbs eyes.
To you, he is all chat is good and noble
to me, all that is bad"
what mean youy For heavens sake,
speak, girl Don't you see am sitting"
gasped Carol, one white hand clutching
her perfect throat as though she was al
most unable to breathe.
A wicked CLEAN came into the gypsy's
~orbs.
Listen to me. then, daughter Of the
house dweiler. and | will tell you of his
infamy. All this Barbara Merriles can
prove. The man you love, the man who
has wooed you with soft. honeyed words,
and whom you believe to be the soul OF
honor-that man, Roger Darrell, has a
wife living, shut up in a mad house"
Carol Richmond shrank back appalled,.
as those terrible words, uttered in q sibi-
liant whisper By the gypsy girl, smote her
ears. There was something SO blood
.curding in their significance that her
very heart seemed TO cease beating, and
I Tie like lead within her. She would have
fallen, but for the support the tree gave
her.
AS for Barbara MerriIes, she stood
there watching her victim with the re-
imorselcss CLEAN of a pitiless tigress IN
her eyes. For fully a minute Carol was
unable 10 say a word, for she was on
the very verge Of becoming insensible.
The reaction came at last. Carol inner
tied some of the determined will Of her
father, ana she recovered by degrees. 1t
began to dawn upon her mind that there
might be some mistake: her faith 10 her
lover was greet, and she could not be-
iieve that he would be guilty of such a
terrible thing as this Of which the black
eyed girl accused him.
1T is falsep' size cried; how dare you
tell me sGea a thing? You are either
insane, or else malicious. What reason
have You to hate Roger Darrell. that you
should traduce him to me thus? How
dare you. | say"
'Darer' cried the other "You are
not acquainted with the gypsy charac
ter. | see. or you would not ask such a
question. There is nothing that Barbara
Merriles would not dare undertake. Hate
Roger Darrell? Yes | have cause to, but
hate could never manufacture such a
story Do you Sant proof strong as holy
writ? You can have 1t from your lover
lips. He will not dare deny the truth.
Look him in the eyes and tell him you
have heard the story or Nora Warner.
Then mark well the pallor of his face,
his shrinking eyes. his trembling form.
He will stand before you condemned"
Turning, the strange creature was gone.
The night was one long to be remem-
sbered.
In the eastern sky the round moon,
walking in glory, lent her silvery light to
the world below. and myriads of twink
ling stars, mysterious lanterns of the
night. were hung about to assist, in a
feeble way, her brave effort.
Roger was walking slowly up and
down with his arms behind him. Where
bis thoughts were could be easily guess
ed, and, therefore, what must have been
us aStulEshIteHb ~ SES u SiEuuBBs NAlks~
robed figure standing in front of him.
What, Carol, my dapsing. is it really
sou? Why are you here?' he asked. ten
derby.
Il am here to learn the truth. Roger;
where is Nora Warner" she said almost
6ereely.
The moon fell upon his face, and he
enoved aside into the shadow, but not
before Carol had seen the blood leap to
his brow and checks. and look of alarm.
nay. of positive horror, come into his
eyes.
Roger" she cried. despairingly, flor
she love Of mercy, speak. DO You not
see that am almost dying. darlingT Oh.
say that IT is not SO; tell me i ~ as base
raiumny, and l will believe you. yes, be-
heve you against all the world. Speak,
NV Roger, tell me it is not true
The struggle in his mind was terrible,
for he knew that il he denied all knowl-
edge Of Nora Warner she would believe
him as she would an angel from heaven
Carol. my love- he groaned. piteous.
IL. would to heaven | could deny it.
would give ten years Of my life to wipe
out the blot upon the Darrell name.
have bowed ms head beneath the shame
that came with Nora Warner fer years,
and had come to look upon myself as a
fllsanthrope when / met you, and loved
sou"
3 She uttered low, pfteous .loan at this.
gor never d.d the death sentence passed
by judge upon culprit in the prisoner S
l. al e. . han