Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-25

much in the end Once she really loves
you, she will be ready to make every al
lowance"
1T seems that you can think Of but
one thing in connection with Miss Brad
leigh and myself" he said in a sharp
tone The knowledge Of it affects Inc
and makes me unreasonable. At least,
don't get along well with her on ac-
count of it, Perhaps Benson intrusted
some papers to her. Wen know it by
the movements she may make"
"Brice, what was it that Benson wills
pered to your" his mother asked. com
ing closer to him. Your face was as
white as the wall when you lifted it"
"Oh, the old thing. mother" replied
Brice, with an agitated air He wished
me to know that he had forgiven me.
Well, he had a great deal to forgive,
even if he didn't want to carry the
grudge with him"
Mrs. Rutherford retired for the night,
for the hour was late. Darkness was
in harmony with Brice's mood and SO he
turned down the light and flung himself
into his easy chair.
He knew that Barbara was sitting
alone in the room directly above him,
amid the solemn stiffness which envelope
the mystery of death. He could not
refrain, however much he tried, from
thinking of her, of that touching and in
spiriting prayer, and of the moral brav-
cry which had enabled her to discharge
her duty without dread Of comment or
criticism.
Benson was buried in the graveyard
near Croylands. Another man-of-all-
work was secured, but. beyond the fact
that he was reliable, he possessed none
of the sterling qualities which had made
Benson so valuable.
On the day after the funeral Barbara
entered the room which Benson had oe-
cupied Her intention was to sweep and
air it, To her surprise, she found Brice
Rutherford there.
Il was looking whether Benson had
left any papers, he said, little furried-
"You will find a paper in the upper
drawer of that bureau" Barbara replied
pointing. 1T is folded but not sealed.
1t is marked, To pay the expenses of
my burial and contains money"
Brice procured the paper. opened it,
and found in it one hundred dollars in
bank bills.
How methodical the old fellow was"
commented Brice. "He put aside enough
for the occasion You found no willF'
No" replied Barbara.
You enjoyed Benson's confidence,
Miss Bradleigh? Did he ever give you
a history of his life. or of Croylands?
Not even in an incidental way"
did he ever speak to you about his
daughter?"
once, Mr.. Rutherford. / hardly re-
member 1t was said sort Of parenthet-
ically Handsome and artless,' | think
were the words"
Did he give You any papers before he
died?"
Two letters, sir. One was directed
to Mr.. North, of Philadelphia"
AN attorney? Yes. You are to de-
liver it to him? And the other letter,
Miss BradIeigh 2"
WAS intended for me-"
Brice's face grew stern.
You read it. Miss Bradleigh?"
Il was not to open it until a--a-cer-
tain contingency" stammered Barbara
Brce depressed his excitement. He
wet his lips with the tip of his tongue.
Let me see that letter." he said
Il can't" protested Barbara. "No enc
is to open it but myself, and even | am
not to open it, except in a--a--certain
event"
She felt her cheeks grow hot. She I'M
consciously leaned away from him, there
was such Il steel-like CLEAN in his eyes.
Give me that letter." he ordered.
"Oh. couldn't" she exclaimed.
l. .ffh
burst of passion.
The fearless brown eyes regarded him
in wonderment. He caught her by the
wrist. and the color left her face, his
grasp was causing her SO much pain.
Il have not got the letter about me. -
she said, without a tremor in her tone.
Neither shall bring it to you. 1t was
intended for me. and not for YOU. ] gave
a promise to dying man, and | hold it
sacred Now, sir, release my wrist Mr.,
Rutherford, l warn you never TO lay
hands upon me again. Barbara said,
with strong, positive tone and air. and a
second later he found himself alone in
the room.
The next morning Barbara came into
the sitting room. She was attired in a
plain russell dress, and carried a caba.
Are you going away, dear" Mrs
Rutherford asked. with keen glance
across the top Of her glasses.
TO the city" replied Barbara. Ben,
son iutrustcd me with a letter to his
lawyer"
His lawyer" repeated Mrs. Ruthar
ford. the wrinkles seeming 20 deepen In
her face. lie had one, then. it seems
But you are not going 10 walk to the
stationf"
1T is not quite mile distant, and tn,
morning is a pleasant one" remarked
/ Barbara.
still. Brice could drive you oycr-ol
Richard" Mrs Rutherford said Rich
ard was the new hired man. What is
the matter with your wrist? Il is biacl
and blue"
1T IS the result Of one Of Mr. Ruthar
ford's affectiouate demonstrations" re
piled Barbara. with a slight shrug # he
pretty shoulders. Good by, Mrs. Ruth
erford"
barbara hurried along the centra
walk
Miss Bradle!sh," called Bricc. from
a path which struck the other at RICH
angles.
He wanted 10 make atonement. Sh
/ kept on her way, affecting not to hea
! him He watched beer until her graceful
and compact, 1.-THE hgure was out o
sight
"Humph,' he growled, bis face red
dening. She IS angry. and not withoa
cause. The old boy seems 90 take Eos
session of me sometime
Returning to tine house. be mct hs
mother.