Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-06
CHATTER XX.-fcontInued.l

seemed necessary. H IS ID never seen
Barbara look so Lovely her long hair
streaming about her. her face flushed
with exertion, her brown eyes glowing
with excitement
Let go If him. Barbara" Brlce or
dered
She stepped back, painting for breath.
The tramp freed himself from the shawl
When he saw that Brice's revolver was
covering him he stood still, gritting his
teeth in his bafied rage. his eyes fash
ing angriIy upon Barbara for having
tricked him.
u intend to kill you here and now"
Brice said not a line Of pity in his face.
''No"' declared Barbara. in her posi-
tive manner Not if ! can prevent IT,.
There IS another way Let him answer
to the LAW Richard. biud him hand end
foot"
The hired man had entered the room,
shoeIess and coatless, his suspenders
dangling 70 bis heels. He looked at Bar
bara, then at Brice. who said:
"Ds as Miss Bradlegh bids you"
The tramp permitted himself to be Sc
cursiy bound, aud was half led and half
dragged TO the kitchen. where Richard
stood guard over him until morning,
when be was taken before a magistrate.
and then, after due process Of complaint,
lodged in the county jail.
Barbara slept as soundly that night as
II nothing extraordinary had occurred In
SEe morning. after breakfast. she sought
Mrs Ratherford's room. She was ever a
welcome visitor there. Il vas the most
pleasant room at Croylands.
You had quite fright last night,
dear" Mrs. Rutherford said, commiser-
atinRly.
Yes" rejoined Barbara, II didn't
&rsam about It. and feel no bad effects
this morning. / have come to talk to
you about something. bat Il isn't that.
however. Mrs. Rutherford. Brice has
proposed to me"
All" exclaimed Mrs. Rutherford.
very much interested. "And-you ae-
cepted himT'
Il intend to accept him." Barbara
slowly said. II am 10 give him IN an
swer at the end Of the week
~Oh, how glad | am to hear you say
1aatr' Mrs. Rutherford exclaimed. her
voice shaking, he's eyes filing with CRATE
fat tears. THE one great desire Of my
hesrt y 70 be gratiied"
She vent to Barbara, threw her arms
around her and kissed her.
MY child" she cried. softly. her
heart overfowing, Ny daughter! And
You love him after ali7''
-'Oh. yes" assented Barbara. with Hut-
terlng lips Il loved him from the very
first / am pleasing myself in accepting
I'm. I would not take such grave
at ~ did il not coincide with my desires
and my-judgmeut But there Is a mat
ter about which must have definite in
formation. Not that would expect IL 70
alter my mind In any respect, but be-
cause I want 70 aet with ceafuess. not
only now but in the future am re-
ferring to Bensnn's grandrhiId,"
Mrs Rutherford staggered hack into
her chair, her hands shaking. the palor
of alarm in her wrinkled fnce.
'Bensons grandchildr' she exclaimed.
certain degree of huskiuesg in her voice.
tie hasn't any"
"Eis grandchild and yours" Barbara
said. as If it was something from which
she couldn't get away
don t--understand your' gasped
Mrs. Rutherford. as abe nervousiy clasp
"a and uneIasped her ghrtveled hands.
Barbara Jixedly regarded her.
~ believe you" sire said Il do not
think you would resort 20 any subtprfuge
Benson. when be died left . mission
for me / promised, before I knew its
character. II WAS in a sealed letter AZ.
3er his death, and upon a visit to Me
North, his attorney. discovered that
waa to take care IT Eaie. q sweet lit
tie rrandchild Of his, and Of which Brice
IS the father
OH groaned Mrs, Rutherford.
Liant it all true 2" asked Barbara.
.'Well--yes" was the gasping reply.
BUT the child didn't live"
"As 10 that, you must have been mlsin-
formed. Barbara said. The child did
live. / have seen her more thar once.
and dear, sweet. angelic little thing she
Is That is what took me to the city
several times, and what brought Mr..
North aut here Benson consigned her
20 my care-~a CREST responsibility. but
40 not shrink from H. / am 20 walsh
over her. care for her. love her He was
not without means, it seems. and ae left
81 20 her"
Mrs. Rutherford YRS slowly pacing up
and down the room In dazed manner.
silently wringins her hsnds. and half
dragging her limbs after hor. She seem
"a in great distress 1T mind
barbara" she asked stopping ire front
IF her did Brice teil yau anything Of
fhisr"
No. Mrs Rutherford"
is he aware that you know itT'
II dou't think that he IS
Mrs. Rutherford resumed her seat, she
buried her face in her hands and cried
softly
barbara" she said. speaking With
great effort. III was dreadful blow 20
nav pride. II was a hi, af youthful 10.
discretion. bot / am NOT going to apollo
xize for H. on believe me. dear. when
/ say thar didn't know mtil this hour
that the child lived. What reason had
Benson for keeping iJ from me-? l tried
Ia make il right He spoke directly
enough and hercely enough about every
4hiug else connected with the uufo-tu-
nate affair. am the one who should
care for the child.
"AIarcery was ais dauSb = aame ?"
Barbara asked.
Yes"
Was she pretty"
AS a picture. A mere child. and that
s. what made II SO bad, oh. how | Suf
Sered about IL, And knowing all this
son are willing 10 marry BriccT'
Yes" Barbara softly sasd.
oh. You hest of girls" cried she cid
lady. bursting into glad tears. You ar,
an angel. darling, Your heart
Il am looking at il in a very matter
of-faet Light" interrupted Barbara. Low
ing Briee as | do. l am en- interested
marty In ,-rafffviur his wishes / an