Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-01-14

places where nice people go to. Evro
one is talking Of the spleqdid way Mr.
Ralph behaved"
Mrs. Burton's eyes were resting on
Lucy.
so you have declared yourself at
last" she said. You belong to their
party. But if you have any prudence
you will reflect on what you are doing.
/ give you warning. ] shall spare no one.
Those who shelter the murderer become
acces sories.'
This IS a strange way to speak to me,
said Lucy. Il am shelfering no murder
or, and do not know Of any murderer.
What do you mean?"
This is Madness said Mr.. Burton,
impaticntly. For heavens SAKE, let MS
have done with this miserable subject"
MY dear Mr. and Mrs. Burton said
Mrs. Forager. you mustn't mind Lucy.
She is talking folly"
Let us say no more about it, said
Mrs Burton: II am tired Of all this. But
remember what / have SAID. Those who
are not vita me are against me. L have
marked them all. Those who favor
wretch who could throw poor helpless
babe out of window to get an estate, are
themselves guilty.
All wEo were preser looked at each
other with wonder Mr.. Ralph inter
posed in n soothing fashion.
MY dear sister" he said. you are
only exciting yourself, thinking of these
matters. II was a great misfortune, but
there il no help for it now"
She turned on him with fury.
You are joining the rest No matter;
I am strong enough to battle against the
world. In good time | shall reckon up
with those who have deserted me. Not
one shall escape-not one!"
All this was spoken in flurried. excit-
cd tone Mr. Ralph was observing her
closely. and with something like alarm.
She passed ont of the room, and word
was presently brought down that Mrs.
Burton did not intend appearing again
that night.
Lucy would have gone away, but her
mother had no intention of sacrificing a
good dinner for such fantastic and child
ish notions.
II was n gloomy entertainment, at
which Mr.. Ralph alone was in great spir
it's He devoted himself conspicuously to
Lucy, and with an earnestness and seri-
eyes were fixed upon her all the evening,
as Mrs. Forager noticed with an agree
able surprise. New visions of her own
permanent settlement in these charming
hunting grounds rose at once before her.
Lucy established here after all. hand
some annuity settled upon them. an ar
rangemeit made by which the house, at
least. could be diverted from the other
Burtons, and she herself enthroned, in
stalled, and eating excellent dinners like
the present--this was the picture that
rose before her.
Lucy, wearied with these constant at
tentions. had after dinner stolen away,
leaving her admirer and Mrs Forager en-
gagged in some discussion. She found her
way to the garden, and wandered through
the winding walks, thinking of those dear
friends who were far away and whom
she could not help. How strange, she
thought. how awful almost. was this
struggle going on between the two prin-
ciples of good and evil, and carried on to
the DEATH How was it to end, save in
the death of one or other of the combat
ants7
AS she was thinking sadly over all this
she heard a step behind her, and found
Mr. Ralph smiling and hurrying up to
her. She turned as if to go back to the
house. but he stopped her.
Just few Moments" he said. II
will not detain you longer. have some
thing of real Importance 70 say to you"
There can be nothing important that
you can tell me-" she answered. Il must
go in"
TO he continued1