Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-16
MASTER OF THE NINE
By Robert Buchanan.
By Robert Buchanan.
600
CHAPTER XXYuI

AhF etAdAEAt phNh 70 live tultAbEp L NRVh
turn across the moor; knew IL re
turned TO the cottage In my present state
of agitation l should betray myself
must think matters over ami come L
some definite decision as to my move
ments in the future. There was no time
40 be lost: in two days the wedding
would take piace-therefore my course OF
action nus be mapped out. | walked
about bordering for hours. finally feeling
somewhat calmer, but, having arrived at
no definite conclusion as to my future
plans, / returned to the cottage. My
uncle, aunt ami Annie were al there
moreover. there was honest John Rudd
partaking of my aunt's tea and hot baked
scenes
tried 10 avoid being alone with Annie
that night for dreaded 10 tell her what
had taken place; but she was over anx-
.ious, and would not let the night pass.
When the house was quiet, all of US hay
ing gone 10 our rooms, there came a gen
tie tap at my door, and Annie herself
appeared.
MY poor Annie" / said. involun-
tarily.
She seemed to understand all that my
tone implied, for, with pitiful sob she
sank dows crying al my feet.
Don't cry, Annie; don't cry / said.
He is a scoundreI. He is not worth one
of those tears You must forget him. s.
Forget himT' she sobbed. "Ah, Hugh,
dear il is not so easy to forget; for
love him so n chi never knew how
much till now! Hugh dear. she will not
marry him. will she?"
He means to go on with this mar
riage If be can: but may find a means
30 prevent il. There is time yet / must
think 1t over, and see what can be done.
But don't you worry yourself little WON
an, tell you he is not worthy to pos
ess one hair Of your head"
AT breakfast the next morning my I'M
Gle again spoke Of an approaching visit
of the young master to the mine, and
seemed in high spirits about il; nay
anore. he seemed quite proud to think
that he should have been selected above
all others TO take the part of guide.
Soon after breakfast he set out for the
mine, where young Redruth was to join
him. A couple Of hours later figure
entered the kitchen where I sat rumna-
ting. and, looking up, | was astonished TO
see Madeline.
Her face was very pale and sad, but
there was a look Of determination about
her eyes and mouth which | had never
seen there before. She walked In Mt the
open door and then stood hesitatng. as
1T uncertain what to do. She answered
any aunts curtesy with a kindly nod and
smile. and then she looked at Annie. /
Thought that the light in her eyes grew
softer as she gazed upon the pale weary
face Of my cousin
Mr.. Trelawney," she said. Il wish to
speak 10 you privately, Can IT
| replied in the affirmative, and asked
my aunt aud cousin 20 leave as. which
they accordingly did.
Mr.. Treawney," Madeline said
when you paid your visit to Redruth
House last night | was listening was
an a remote and shaded part of the
drawing room. What | witnessed was
too stormy TO be very lucid. | want you
10 make 1t clear to me now. wish you
so tell me, u Won will the whole Of your
cousins unfortunate story"
| did as she requested; not dwelling
TOO much upon it, but making every
point clear. When | had finished. Mad
cline said, quietly;
How long have you known this story.
Mr. Trelawney?"
Two or three days. 1t seems that
Annie had given some promise not to
betray that man, and this promise she
,religionsly kept
you mean 70 expose him? Since your
cousin cannot get justice, do you mean
to make her wrongs known"
No, / have done all that | can do.
To humihate him now would be TO hu-
saea 10
his certain DEATH"
Ills death, What do you mesnY"
This; That if | pointed him cut "a
sthe betrayer Of Annie Pendragon, my
uncle would assuredly kill him.
She started and tremhled There was
long pause. Madeline stood at the
window. gazing out with sad wistful eyes
Then she turned aud came toward me
Mr. Trelawney." she said. let this
matter rest, and perhaps in time nil may
come we'll You think that your cousin
still! loves Mr. Redruths"
tod help he. Yes"
"a'hen let Ms pray that her love. and
az her patient suffering. will some day
be rcuuited.
Il ,,o not understand" | said.
No? Then you think more badly Of
l have not deserved that yuu should
ahink well Of me. / told you oace that
1 was marrying my cousin because he
was poor and was rich. what | told
YOU told him; | knew l could never
love him, but | wished 10 help him. and
| should have done So. | should have
married him; and once his wife, think
nay. am spre-l should have been able
30 do my duty, But when | gave that
promise TO him l believed him to bee a
good and honorable man. Now all is
changed. ] believe every ard Of your
story Mr. Trelawney. aud, believing il.
] know can never be united to him"'
Size paused for a moment; but could
not speak Presently she continued.
Mir, Trelavney. ! want you to give
me your hand for A moment in token Of
your forgiveness. Heaven has not be- i
merciful 20 either Of us. and | think it
would have been better for us both if we
had never met. shall leave this place
tomorrow: but l shall never forget il.
and shall never forget you. God bless
you
She pressed my hand warmly ia both
Of hers. and the next moment she was
gone. What followed seemed to me a
Wild dream | remained for time Stup,,
tied--drunk with mingled JOY and scr
row feeling the grasp Of my darling,
hand Ia mine, and hearing still the sound
Of her owing voice Then | knew that
ms aunt and Annie had returned aud
we're questioning me as to Madeline
visit; but their questions were SCOT
drowned in strange murInur which