Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-01-21

CHAPTER XVIII.
The weary night had gone by for Mrs
Ned Burton, and cold, gray. momnful
looking morning had come round. She
had been dreaming one of those dreams
which leave a soreness at the heart. and
kind of dull aching. For a moment she
thought her husband was about to come
hack t. her, but when she missed him
she gave a cry and hurried to the door.
She PASSED downstairs to the room where
She. hal left him. 1t had thai lonely. de
serted and Gisordcrly air which a room
presents aftev its tenants have quilted
it the night before and gone up to bed.
1t seemed like some old haunted chamber
suddenly opened after being undisturbed
for years. Aam
She entered fearfully. and her eyes
then fell ON letter lying on the table.
1t was directed to her. With AZ Wild
eagerness she tore it open and read:
My Own and Dearest-Forgive me,
but / can bear it no longer | have
concealed from you all that have suf-
fered for weeks past, and would have
been content to go on suffering for yours
and the children's sake. But after this
last blow | can do no more | dare not
face anything else. / have no heart for
anything again.
DO not think me cowardly, dearest.
or that | have no affection for you in
thus deserving you all. Oh, if you knew
how / love you all, and how wish that
l dare live on with you. and for you! But
it must end now. This persecution is
grown intolerable. Forgive forgive me.
dearest, this cowardice, and-good by"
She could hardly read the characters.
but a sort of desperation made her finish.
The rooT. seemed to swim round her.
She felt incapable of rising and going OUT
to seek him. She sat there long. Then
there suddegly came loud knocking ut
the door, which reused her, and which in
some way she associated with the terror
that was on her soul. Starting up. she
uttered loud and piercing cry, and fell
back insensible.
Coming to the little Scotch town, at
that early hour, after his weary nights
journey, Mr. Burton found himself set
down at the deserted station, shivering
and dcsolate. A single porter was there.
He was asked for Ned Burtons house.
and offered to show the way thither.
Tasy passed through the lonely little
streets, a desolate procession. As 'h..
went along they could see that all tile
parior windows We're without shutters,
and that inside could be seen the furni-
ture-thc chairs drawn back and disar-
ranged, just as the family had left them
some hours before. }llf
Mr. Burton knocked. and as he did.
there seemed to come back a sort of an
swer from within. in the shape of wild
and piercing scream. They all heard it
distinctly, snd the effect of that sudden
cry, coming forth as an answer into the
silent street, filed their souls with hor-
ror.
In a short time the house was rousei
some servant rushing down to open the
door, They entered and found the mis-
tress stretched upon the ground. No one
could tell anything. Just at this moment
the Waterman came pacing by, and stood
in the doorway.
Il saw him go ont this morning" he
said, "and can tell you the road he took
He went up the Fell yonder. and Won
dered as he passed me. for there was a
queer look in his eyes, and he tried to turn
away his face"
Lucy was left with the still inscnsi-
BILE Mrs. Burton. while Mr.. Burton ard
the others hurried away up the Fell.
1t was now broad day. The early chill
had passed away, and as they hurried
along they met the laborers already 20
ing to their work. The road led straight
up to that barren hill by a raw. lonely
path. They assembled for about half a
mile, and presently found themselves Oh
a wild mo0rland, overgrown with stubbie
and furze-bushes. They were not long in
finding what they were looking for. In
a little hollow lay stretched the haplcss
Ned Burton, CHASTITY pale. his arms cx-
tended. while from a wouEd in his side
trickled stream of blood Beside him
was a small revolver. There lay the
hunted victim Of Mrs Burton's enmitr.
and to this end. by her unrelauting course
Of persecution, had she brought the cb-
ject of her hatred
They lifted him aud for n short way
carried him. He presently seemed to re
rover r little, and looked round with daz-
ID and wondering eyes. 4 little further
on they met carriage. in which til
placed him, snd then drove slowly back u
the house.
There he was carried in and laid upon
his bed. The doctor came, hastily sum
moned. He shook his head as he saw the
wound.
The day had now fairly begun, and the
people were in the street, hurryins 10
their occupations. The sun was stream
ing in al the windows. The family were
~ gathered round Ned BurtOn's bed The
lOctor bad completed HIS examination,
and turned away to speak to Mr.. Bur
ion.
This wound is fatal" he whispered