Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-06-25

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/ in favor Of the accused, as well as to
| show that this charge brought against
! her had been brought. not In the interests
/ of justice, but to crafty the malice and
revenge of the man who had brought it
| "a man who was trying to fasten the
odium of a fearful crime upon an limo
| cent and suffering woman. The remand
| was granted, and once again Beryl Mars
/ den was led back TO that lonely cell
where already so many days and nights
of anguish had beNn spent.
! As soon as possible Col. Dunbar came
to her, and tried his utmost to cheer and
rouse her. Later on in the day she and
/ her counsel had another long interview,
going over the same weary ground. sift-
/ ing every tiny grain Of evidence.
Cheer up, ma'am. III have better
news for you soon," said he. and then the
prison official opened the door and he
left
Beryl sat there for Iong-her head bow
ed on her hands, the quiet tears falling
from her hidden eyes-her thoughts fol-
lowing in slow and painful sequence the
troubles and griefs Of her life. Could
she indeed be the radiant girl who had
stood In Madge Dunbar's drawing room
who had laughed at the languid airs Of
MY Lord Conccit' who had played
with cowslip-balls in the golden meadows
as merrily as her own children had done
who had achieved fame and won her
way to the worlds notice by her own
unaided gfts-who sat now in loneliness,
and misery, and shame, in felons cell,
the sport Of every gossiping tongue, or
printed lie, that malice could barb or
invent?
How old feelr she said to herself
choking down a sob that rose in her
throat How old-and tiredr'
Again she heard the key turn in the
door. but this time she did not raise her
head. 1t was only the prison official,
she thought. bringing in her meal.
But at last n hand touched her Shout
der-touehed it lightly, reverently, as
once before it had touched her in the
quiet chnrchyard at Grantham.
She raised her head then, and looked
up. and saw, standing before her, the
very shadow Of the brave, strong form
she knew so well.
She would have started to her feet in
the shock and agony, and almost terror
of his unexpected presence but his hand
restrained her. He left it on her shout
der, and stood looking down at her
changed face with such a world of pas
sior. pity, love and tenderness in his own,
as no words could have betrayed.
''Oh, my poor Berylp' he said softly
like sudden thought, and his eyes seem
ed to lose their sight for one agonized
moment as hey took in the silvery
threads among the dusky tresses of that
queenly head, the lines Of care and suf-
fering, the blanChei, worn look Of the
dear face.
She did not speak, she could not. She
only sat there and looked at him until
memory returned to chill her throbbing
pulse, and for very shame she covered
her face from that yearning and pitiful
gaze.
The sight of his grief Gained her. DO
not grieve for me-" she said, gently. I'm
deed. it will cone all right They can
not make out did such thing as they
accuse me OF"
at is not that" he muttered hoarsely
at is-it is what you nave to bear"
Il think l am getting used to trouble"
she said quietly. I'VE are such old
friends now.
Don't" he implored, almost fiercely
when you talk like that it maddens
me-"
IL hope you do not think me very
bad" she said her eyes filling once again
with slow, not tears. Indeed. il seems
as IL everything had been against Inc.
aud though | tried t. do right it always
turned out wrong But / have been pun
ished severely IL ever woman was"