Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-08-05
CHAPTER XVI

The news Of my dismissal from the
mine was received by my aunt with in
finite waillng. The poor soul. knowing
that for some time past / had been the
mainstay of the house, saw nothing be-
fore her but misery and starvation: in
deed, she was for going straight to Red
ruth House and appealing to the master,
but l checked her.
Don't grieve, aunt" / said. 1T viii
be all right by and by. Say l am dis
missed from the mine-what then? The
mine isn't all the world. | shall get
something. never fear. I'm going up to
London. aunt"
$40 Lunnon! And what forT''
II am going up to see the comparg,
and tel them what's going on at the
mine. Keep your mind easy till / come
back, aunl, Twill. maybe. all be right
taen."
When all was ready. I stepped down
to the village to tell John Rudd to call
for me on the morrow, when he was to
start before daybreak. Having done
my errand, | strolied slowly back to the
cottage.
II was a splendid night. All the earth,
hardened by the keen touch Of frost.
was flooded by the brilliant moonrays;
and the SKI was thick with stars. All
was SO quiet aud peaceful I could hear
the click clack Of my footsteps on the
frosty read.
My mind was sorely troubled. / walked
up and down the road and turned 10 re-
enter the cottage. when l started back
with a half-suppressed cry. There, not
very far from me. standing in the shadow
of one Of the laurel bushes in Armies
| garden. was the tall figure of a
She came quickly toward ns. and laid
her hand upon my arm.
"Madeline.' | mnrmured, for II was
indeed she. dressed Ia her evening dress,
with her mantle thrown lightly over her
head and shoulders. and her dear face
raised wistfully to mine.
MIR. Trelawney," sho said. quietly. "ls
IT true that you have been dismissed from
the mineIe
Eyes; Il Is quite true. Miss Graham"
"Oh. why will you not be rs son were
just now. and call me Madeline 2" she
cried passionately. why have all those
years come aud gone since we we're chill
dreh. and left us so far apart, Mr., Ire
lawney? Hugh. let us be children again:
| was your help aud solace once, let nae
be so tonight
EM6 UaA aNNkti AANlA@NN9 EERhAu n
few years separate us? Once before
she had offered me her friendship and
| had accepted II: why not accept il now ?
/ took her hand and kissed t.
"You shall be the same to me now as
YOU we're them / answered, you shall
BE- my friend.'
L think she understood me. She made
no reply, bat for a moment she turned
| her head aside; when she looked at me
again. she was as calm as the moourays
which lay all about her,
"ren ME what has happened" she
said. ''and what you are going 70 do"
Very little has happened | replied.
Il have got the dismissal which | have
all along expected. ard | am going
away. You will get your death; let me
take you back"
l drew the shawl closer about her
shoulders, put her hand upon my arm.
and led her away.
Hugh" she said. presently. yea
have not ,ola the the caase Of all this
trouble. Wa have you and my cousin
disagreed SO terrielyY'
There is nothing l said. hut what
had best be kept between man aud man
Then you absolutely refuse 70 make
any eonceSsleni'
Il 49,. > to receive any favor from
George gedsuth.'
Il am rich. you know-very rich, and
now thai yOu are in trouble / might help
yoa."
"No," | answered. quickly don't
think Of It. II is impossible"
| walked with her as far as tbs on
trance to the grounds surrounding Red
ruth House then | left her. Her eyes
we're fun Of tears as she said good.by.
and her httle hand clang 20 mine with
a persistence which wei-nigh unnamed
me. / was. too much beSide myself to
return to the cottage, so f4r about half
a mile l followed the road Which led 20
the mine. X was lats. there wss not a
living soul abroad il seemed te Sc yrt.
as l turned 10 retracs tag steps. | cane
face 70 face with 3 man who had evi.
IDENTIFY been following close upon my
heels. Il was johnson.
Ma6ellne's softeu.ag iraaease was ytii
upon me. Yet at sight Of tSis evil face