Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-07-13
CHAPTER xxx.

most as green as in early summer.
There was sunlight everywhere; pour
ing down upon all that CHANGED to be
out this bright. lovely autumn morn,
peeping through crevices, and trying to
force its way through Theoretically drawn
blinds. as if to reproach the sluggard
for missing such a beautiful sight And
II fell too, upon the bald head of an old
man, who. with convulsed features, and
unsteady footsteps, essayed 20 cross the
lawn TO the front door of the great house.
He reaches the porch at last, pulls
both the bells violently, and knocks with
all his force at the door. awaking the
household. and filling the yawnins foot
man with dire dismay.
Mr.. Royston hears the unwonted COM
motion, and rings for his valet, to know
what it means. Meanwhile. they have
opened the door, and the old gardener
gasps out, The summer house! The
summer house, then falls down in hit
There is a great rush thither, after the
man has been carried into the hall. and
not one speaks, but they stanG round
the women weeping, the men turning
away their heads.
Presently came Mr.. Royston. and he
had forgotten everything but that his
dark favorite lay there, stiff and cold,
with all her young life fled forever: had
taken her in his arms, and was sobbing
over her so, that. seeing that old man
weep. every one Joined in it: and for
moment. there was naught TO be heard
but the requiem of sobs and gentle words,
that were being sung over her by gentle
and simple, aged and yonng.
60" he says, sternly. to the house
keeper. "and prevent Miss May from
coming herep' He is too late; here she
is, with face as white as the gown she
is wearing.
"What is it, uncle?" she asks huskily.
II have been into Miss Duncombe's room
md her bed has not been slept in; where
can she be? Oh, uncle, what is it?'
Hush dear. Miss Duncombe--
| here he breaks down again into sobs. and
presses the lifeless face TO his breast.
"Oh. May. look here"
"Uncle.' she sobs; and, for moment.
she cannot see for the tears that are
pouring down her cheeks. "My pretty
| Maggie-my darling" and she takes her
from the old man, and kisses the clay
| cold lips. Speak to me, my darling
| only one little word-speak to me. Run
for doctor. somebody-quick. My dar-
| ling" she continues, lovingly, ito think
thu. you should be out in the cold storm
and rain, when l was in ms warm bed !.
Oh, speak to me, Maggie.
They raise her gently. with the respect
due TO the dead, but with tie wonder and
| admiration rarely paid even to the liv-
! ing. Then, behind her. what sight
| meets their gaze! 1t unnerves them all
| again, and causes them to bend forward
with n wondering SILVER.
What can this mean?" said Mr.. Roy
ston, in low, awe-struck voice How
| came she here ?-and who is this poor
ragged wretch z
They raise him. too, and look at the
| thin, convulsed face, set in the agony of
! violent death, one side of his face and
I body blackened and scorched; and speak
quickly and lowly, in wondering appre-
| hepsion.
what mystery is this?'' exclaims Mr..
| Rovston: land who can solve it!'
At this moment the doctor arrives, and
begins to make an examination. Even
he is very serious and looks with great
| sunrise at the appearance of the two
the man in tattered garments, the woman
in silk. and lace. and pearls, and dla-
monds.
The doctor kneels down for moment
before Mrs. Downing and May, who are
holding the insensible form in their arms
then he whispers to Mr.. Roysten. and
the servants are all sent back TO the
| house
"Wel. doctor, what is it? Can you
| make anything of itT'
Yes" he replies; Il can throw some
light on the subject, by the merest accl-
dent in the vorld-that is. as far as one
of the info tunate people is concerned.
But. first. ID examine that poor fellow
there. All. rs l thought! Both dead.
The same flash killing both. She must
have been standing either by his side, or
in front of him, for he is scorched terri
hlv. hut she'--and he opens the cloak a
little as he speaks-''look here."
There is only a small brown mark on
the white dress. just over the heart. and
corresponding one on the cloak. They
gaze upon the ominous spot in silence
then the doctor speaks again.
CHOW" he says. ''the first thing TO do
is to remove the body of the lady, at all
events. and l must consider what TO do
about the man"
So the servants are called once more.
and they bear her reverently to the
house, and lay her upon the bed; then
the DOCTOR goes down TO the library.
Now. doctor, for your news; and pray
heaven we may solve this terrible eng
ma. to avoid shame and scandal"
wen. sir. l was called in early this
morning to a disreputable fellow called
BLACK lem. You may perhaps renem-
be him-a drunken, carousing yagabond
;hat. to my thinking. is disgrace to the
Mace | soon enough discovered he was
on the verge of delirium tremens, through
excessive drink. He was raving about
bringing a maniac to the lodge here, and
the new London people: and his mother
SAYS her son has been spending golden
money lately. Now it appears to me. -
said the worthy doctor, that the clue TO
the story is TO be got at there, and my
view is strengthened because | now re-
member hearing of a mailman roaming
about the village. boasting of his knowl-
edge of the inmates of the Hall"
I'VE must send for this Atkins and his
wife"
they look out of the window. in the
direction of the lodge. and see Mr.. Gwilt.
the steward, in hot haste making his
way to the front Of the house.
lis this terrible report true. sir:" he
asia huskily, as he enters. They are
saying in the village that one Of the
young ladies has been killed By light
ming"
Il am sorry to say il is true Mr..
Gw.l.." answers the doctor. In a low