Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-26

Anu with his def hands he binds
up re wound and then hurries off
again, for there is a hard nights work
: ciore him.
Heron lies down before the fire,
while Charlie Hamilton bojls some cof-
fee ans the rest group themselves
around him and regard him with anxi-
Gus glances.
1t was a big thing" says Pierpoint.
= Pom my word. Letchford, we didn't
expect to see you back
Heron smiles as he sips his coffee.
I'VE had luck or our side" he says
qdietly-"the rarest luck. If they
had seen us FIVE minutes earlier we
Shonld-shouldn't have come back"
Il never spent such an hour in my
life" says Charlie Hamilton with a
long breath I'VE couldn't see what
was going on, of course, and We didn't
know now things had turned out until
the men were at the gate. Now 1
suppose you've had enough of it?"
Heron smiles grimly
I never enjoyed myself SO much in
ms lie as | did tonight" he says. Il
know now why YOU fellows are always
craving for fight"
Then he puts down the coffee cup
and rises slowly.
II think III turn IN noW--I shall be
wanted in an hour or two; for, II am
not mistaken, there will be an attack
on us before tomorrow"
IAN right. said Pierpont, gleefully
Tomorrow, though, Look, there's the
lawn, Come along, old fellow-wen
see YOU safe home, Lean on me"
With Hamilton on one side and Pier
point on the other Heron reaches his
quarters; and as he turns TO say
goodnight the dawn CLEANS grayly in
the east.
PARKS opened the door, his right arm
hound up, an anxious look on his black
enei face.
is it much. Sir Heron? Are you
badly wovnded?'
"A mere nothing" says Sir Heron,
sinking down beside the fire. Are
YOU? The doctor has been here?"
Parks mods.
All right Sir Heron. Aine isn't
anything to speak of. Heavens, what
a night it has been | diln't think
We should have oeen back, Sir Heron. :"
Heron mods YEARLY.
You had no right to CO. he says.
go to bel now and call me if you
hear the hugle. | shall lie down be
fore the fret seems rather cold"
PARKS irags a mattress To The flre
aud makes as comfortable bed IS
possible; then, with salute, is about
To CO. when he hesitates.
The prisoner. Sir Heron? He's in
the next room"
Heron looks UP.
oh, tell him TO come in here. Is he
wounded?"
The doctor has seen him. says
Parks; hes not badly hurt. Sir Heron.
Shall | sen him iu?"
Heron arises.
No, I'll 20 to him. Ioh go 10 bed.
Parks gocs' reluctantly, ami Heron,
taking a candlc, knocks at the door of
me adjoining room Receiving no
answer he opens the doo- and enters.
by the light of the candle held above
his head he sees the prisoner stretched
lull length on neap Of straw, his
mead resting on his hand. his Russian
uniform splashed with bloOd.
Heron stands for a minute musing
weayily. then turns to so again, but as
he doe, so the light of the can lie fail,
lpon glittering speck upon the mans
ham, and hall absently he goes up tc
mir, to see what il is.
he bends down and looks, then
sta Is up and stands pale and tremb-
ling.
The speck OF gold is a ring and that
he gave 10 May!
For a moment the room spins around
ana H. leans upon his sword heavily.
Have his wounds and fatigue com
, 5Med got the better OF aim. Is he
Dreaming
lie bends down again ana looks al
tac mans face and as he does so a
inidcr Of surprise runs through him
UEIes he is dreaming he knows that
iac; Il Is the face Of the man who
met May in the Letchford Wolf!
For a moment he stands staring
down at the sleeper, a storm of con
Aicling emotions raging in his breast;
then he examines the ring again and by
the light of the candle held close t.
the hand secs his own crest engraved
upon the stone
Yes, ii is the ring 1t Is the man
with smothered ejaculation he drops
Gown Upon broken stool and stares
Al the sleeper.
In az instant furious. irrepressiblt
jealousy springs up within his bosom
4 few hours ago this man was at hi.
mercy A single thrust would have
ut m end to him And now here h,
ties to mock him.
Half deliricus with the weakness oI
his wcund, Heron sits AMI stares an,
gruds his teeth
At least pc wouid have his ring. hc
shou Dr. and Ao seizcs the hand Of tn,
sla per Ioughly
roughly thai the man awakes an5
springs half upright nd sis auj stares
III lhc white face on a level with him,
slowly the remembrance II the
shts events pass into his conscious
Ross. and a faint smile lawns on his
ace as Ee mods good temperedl.
Clad H. see sou safe. if not sound
sir. Nothing serious, hope?"
Heron ztares al him Ia Hence for a
moment, then points 20 the hand On