Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-10-05
cHApTER xvII1.-fcontinued.)


slip of paper, which he folded and hand
ed to the visitor.
''Shall / not require the document
gave you as an introduction to the par
tyg' insinuated the gentleman.
"Not at all The paper you have in
your hand will be sufficient introduction
Good morning.
In another minute .!T Montgomery
''Just the same as of DID," he muttered !;
''hard as nails--not to be moved. Awk-
ward their sticking to that bit of paper
not that it is ever likely TO be found
out. They did not half believe in it.
But, cunning as they are. they are done
they did not suspect me. How famil-
lar this old ramshackle place looks to
me- although it's many year since L
saw it last. Its mouldy walls suggest
no very agreeable retrospect"
While he was thus muttering his
thoughts, he left the building and passed
out Of the court into the open thorough
fare. Then he opened the paper that the
lawyer had given him and read the adj
dress. The words were. Madame Berne,
Ivy Cottage, Ivy Road. Highbury."
Had that paper informed him that
he was to die within the hour, its pc
rusal could not have cast upon his face
a more marked expression Of dismay.
For q moment he stood rooted to the
spot: and when jostled by rough passer-
by, went back into the court to stare at
the writing and recover from the shock.
Great heavens!' he CALCULATED. rs it
possible What can this mean? Who is
TINS Silas Carston, then? Can this wom-
an be- She must The name is I'M
common; and the same lawyers, too, But
why has she left The Willows? / must
fathom this mystery"
He stood musing silently for some
moments, and gradually an expression
OF dark determination settled upon his
face
"I'll do it, he muttered again. I'm
face her once more, although | would
as soon face tiger in her den!'
He bnttoned his coat across his brea st
with jerk, drew on his gloves and walk
ed rapidly on, with the air of a man
thoroughly resolved.
Ivy Cottage was small, gloomy look
ing house, covered with the dark leaves
of the plant from which it took its name;
a shrivelled holly tree, and a large, I'M
trimmed lime threw n yet deeper shad-
ow upon the building 1t was a rom
nant of bygone days, when Highbury
was a country place; and it l5oked like
a meanly dressed, old-fashionel woman.
in gay crowd, amidst the glazing stucco
and white paint OF the new villas that
were dotted on each side of it.
Mr.. Montgomery pulled up short. as
he saw Ivy Cottage" inscribed upon
the gate post of this shabby looking
dwelling He felt more nervous than
ever. He drew ont his handkerchief.
took off his hat. wiped his face and
fidgeted with his coat. At last he made
the plunge. opened the garden gate,
walked up the path and rang the house
bell
His summons was answered by a sol
emn looking servanut. Madame Berne
was at home but she could not see
strangers. Would he send in his bust
ness:
He desired her to say that he came
from Messrs. Togle. & Quick. of Gray's
Inn. and that his business related to a
certain advertisement which had appear
ell in the morning newspapers. The
woman shut the door in his face and left
him standing upon the steps while she
delivered his message
ANY person VII had stood beside him
might have heard the humping OF his
heart against his side. Again he took
out his handkerchief and wiped away
the ferspiration that stood in large
beads upon his face; yet the morning
was raw and cold,
After the lapse Of about a minute, the
door rtopenod, and he was marshalled
ny the solemn servant into the front par
lor. there 10 await Madame Perne's mp
pearance 1t was a gloomy room, the
walls were covered with dingy. dark
paper the furniture was old-fashioned
in form. and mostly Of oak The recs
i'm front threw in a black shadow md
obscurcd the daylight. Mr., Montgomery
seated himself with his back TO the win
dow. and in that position his features
were indistinct to any person coming
into the room.