Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-15

Speak, tell me what tits all about.''
So we told him all we knew, and put.
ting this and that together he gathered
at least one idea-that bis child had. for
some reason or other voluntarily left her
home. He stood like a man sfupefed,
scarcely gathering the sense Of the situa-
tion, and dirnly wondering why bis wife
received the news 30 violently. But
when John Rudd was gone, and we were
left to ourselves, / told them my suspi-
cions Of George Redrnth. To my sur
prise they we're received with blank
amazement. then with Indignation. Ny
uncle ayerred that / had always dis
liked the young master. ! determined 70
90 up to Redruth's house and ascertain
If he were from home.
The moment my uncle heard of my de-
termination he resolved TO accompany
me. On asking for the master, we were
shown into the library; Eve minutes later
the young man himself walked into the
room. He had just been dining. wore
evening dress, and had never looked
handsomer or more thoroughly at his
ease in his life.
Well" be said CHANGING at us pleas
antiy--he was evidently in an after-din-
ner moods there anything ] can do
for either Of your
Master large" said my uncle, earn
estly, ''we'm "A trouble, sir; IN sore tron-
Bile My daughter, my little Annie she
be run'd away
"Whatf' he exclaimed. Run away
from home. do you mean? But Why
come to me2 What can dofv
"Naught. you cant do naught at all, !"
said nay uncle. that's just it.
'Erhe fact iss sir" ] said. there is
some villain at the bottom Of it, and we
want TO find out who that villain Is"
And SO you come to me! Really, /
don't see the force Of all this, and | have
more important matters 10 detain meg'
He opened the door, and we. seeing
that further conversation would be use
less, left the room and the house. Dur
ing the walk home N uncle never spoke.
When we reached the cottage he sank
down into a chair, and hid his face in
his hands.
Nothing more conld be done that night,
so we all went TO bed; but not TO sleep.
During the night ! frequently heard my
uncle walking Wi. measured step up
and down his room, and in the grey Of
the morning he came out to the kitchen
TO kindle fire.
I looked at him and scarcely knew
him; his face was white and lined like
that of an old man. He was quite calm;
but there was a sad look in his eyes
which spoke of deep-set pain.
Several days after that sad night a
letter came from Annie; 1t bore the Lon
don postmark. and ran asfollows:
My Dear Parents;
sDo not grieye about me, for / am
quite well and in want Of nothing. Do
not attempt to find me, 1t would be use
less; but / shall soon come back. with
Gods blessing. and then you will learn
why l left without a word. am sorry,
so sorry. for any trouble I have given
you, and hope you will forgive me. for
the sake es the happy days that are gone
away. Four loving daughter,
ANNIE"
My aunt read the letter aloud; then my
uncle took it from her, looked at ii for
a long time. and finally, without a word.
placed 1t on the fire-watching it till 1t
was consumed. After that, for a long
time to come. he never spoke of Annie
again: but he dropped daily, like a man
III Ter the weight Of some mortal pain.
(To be continuedl