Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-07-06
CHAPTER XXVlIl.-tContlnucd.i

CHAPTER NXVIIl.-tContlnucd.i
a week has passed since the priSone
had found the coveted weapon and tn
well men We're digging near the iodS
were getting on bravely They were no
very Woodworking lot of men these
and Mr. Atkins was good-natured, an'
loved himself to take it easy. So thu
boards had been shored up At the regu
lar distances round the sides. and thu
cough fellows listen to the pleasant tow
anecdotes.
1t has been a sultry day. not breatl
of cir stirring; the clouds getting darker
and darker as evening comes on, and {
lurid red showing through the vast black
pillows. II affects every one in the house
more or less, for it is terribly dispirit
iIg; and they often look out, and up Al
the sky, in anticipation of coming
storm. There is a little wind, SO the
rain keeps off, and Maggie opens the
glass door 10 catch the air.
May is upstairs, oh, so weary and op-
pressed: feeling it such a trouble to dress
and putting il off to the very last mo-
ment; looking out at the dark sky, and
comparing it 10 her fate. And so Mrs.
Downing being busy. as usual, and MIR.
Royston in his dressing room, Maggie Is
downstairs alone.
She is leaning out, and Is about to sit
down again, when a shadow darts across
the path, and, before she can close the
door, q ragged unkempt man. with a
wild expression In his frantic gaze. seizes
her hand. and kisses it passionately, and
says. AT last"
She sees her peril, and for moment
turns faint at heart as the strange figure
Is mumbling over her hand; but she
snatehes it away fercely, and says,
through her teeth. ''How dare you? Go
away" She stamps her foot nngrily,
and her eyes fame with angry passion.
But | must talk with you. | must
see you. dear. Don't be cruel, Maggie,
like the two rough men. | only want to
see you for a little while" he says, in a
broken voice. and more like the George
Temple of Fulham than he has as yet
spoken; "and then. il you send me away,
I will never come to you again"
There are footsteps near. and he holds
the door.
go" she says. sternly
when shall l see you, Maggie
where?"
She is desperate now. and tries to
wrench the door from his hand.
''WhereI" be where, Mag
gie?~
The footsteps are coming nearer, and
she points to the little summer house and
says. hoarsely, In there--midnight"
Then she pulls to the door with crash.
Great heaven she murmurs. what
Is to be done?"
Maggie" says voice." come here,
child" and she goes to Mr.. Royston,
vainly trying to still the palpitating Of
her henri.
Surely dusk was never so welcome be-
Tore" she thinks; and she has time to get
a little composed as he is saying Il want
you to wear these ornaments tonight.
VIII you please All old fellows fancy
"Oh, yes" she replies, tremblingly.
He puts some cases into her hands,
and bends over and kisses her. How
cold you are child.' he proceeds land
how you will have to hurry There, run
away now TO dress
She sits for a moment. with the jewels
in her lap, as the maid lights the candles
aud draws the blinds. and then opens
them listlessly, But even now SHE is not
proof against the charms of the Injuries
money caa buy, and she murmurs, de-
ightedIy, What lovely pearls" Then
the dark hair is braided, and size decks
herself with the gems. and goes down
the oak staircase, very fair and pale, as
BELTS the bride whose bridegroom will
ae-Death.