Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-09-10
CHAPTER XIy-(Continued.)

He had mentioned to the widow IN
fact that the adventurer's hand ma.
boen branded when ne was sent TO y
heria. so that he was now completes
ia always wear a glove, but this did no
seem 50 singular to the lady, for the fac
remained that every time she mad me
Roger Darrell he bad gloves on; SO sh
did not think il worth while to mehuoi
this part OF tne story to Carol. seeln'
that it confirmed the detectives 'dea
rather than disputed them.
T6ongh she mad only seen Roger
few times she had been wonderfali.
impressed by his manner and looks, ah'
she had made mp her mind that II ines
terrible charges against him proved tru'
she would never trust man again.
Poor broken-hearted Carol wandered
ont each day. waiting for that dread ID
+erview which was sure to come, and YET
which seemed unaccountably delayed.
At the very time when these ideas were
nassipg in review through the Weareo
and troubled brain Of Carol Richmond
the object Of her thoughts, poor Roger
Darrei, was pacing his library Ike a
Gagged anin.el. grooming now and then
ana showing tftlJ N'4NNioN -
and dispair,
Try as he would. he found it impos-
sble to think Of Carol without allow
ing his mind to dwell on love, and ne
was nearly frantic with the continued
fight he had gone through
He had promised to be a friend TO
the girl he loved, and though this was
easy to say yet when it came to attempt
ing IL he found he had before him the
most difficult task Of his life.
The detective gained in strength so
rapidly that in a few days more he hoped
10 leave hose who had stood so nobiy
by him. and start upon his trail of ven
geance.
Though Roger Darrell had not yet made
his appearance since the time Of his sep
aration from Carol, the widow knew
he would soon come, and hence she was
continually on the lookout for him. She
had promised her child not to say any
thing to him, leaving the whole matter
TO her.
He came at last. The day was a lovely
one, with the birds singing among the
trees, and all nature looked beautiful.
Up the forest aisle came Roger, head
ing straight for the old mill. His face
was pale and set, as though he had con-
quered in his battle, and yet none knew
better than he how weak human nature
was when the hour Of temptation came
The little lady saw him coming, and
while she spoke to him pleasantly her
eyes were watching his face. She saw
the traces Of anguish there. such rs never
rested upon the countenance Of guilt, and
when he had gone to seek Caro-, after
her directions, she gave utterance 10 her
thoughts aloud
IF that is the face Of guilt then Ey
judgment of character is at fault. Place
Roger Darrell before me and l should
have declared him the most honorable
of men, noble and generous. Yet how
the man bellies his looks II all is true,
then greater villain never went I'M
hung. My Heaven give my dear girl
the strength to do what is right, no mat
ter what the pain may be-"
She had no idea Of what was in store
for her while thus thinking Of her child.
and yet a crisis in her own affairs was
rapidly approaching.
Although she could not comprehend in
full what the temptation would be, Yet
she knew Carol must suffer, and her
heart went out to her poor child. upon
whom Heaven had apparently frowncd SO
early. Had it been possible, she would
have liked so much to have been with
Carol during this trial. but the girl
would t hear of it, and the little lady's
heart toll, her also that it was best not
so.
In the midst of her thoughts the lady
was startled by loud, authoritative rap
upon the door and, somewhat confused,
she hastily answered the summons.
When she opened the door she uttered
low, almost inaudible cry, and would
have fallen but for the support her hold
afforded her.
The curtain of fifteen years had been
swept aside by the hand Of fate, and
those two who had loved and parted in
the past were now brought together over
the grave of their only child's hopes.
Face to face stood Lawrence Richmond
aud the wife whom he had not once seen
since that bitter parting.