Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-12-05

! "Why?" asked Cyril reluctantly.
Because there was no settlement
when she and the earl were married,
and the quarrel and separation pre-
vented any bling made afterward. con
sequently Lady Norah is entirely al
the mercy OF her father If they
should quarrel he would leave her
penniless.
Il don't see how this can interest
either you or me, Mr.. Berton."
Il didn't know whether you might
not regard ner in the light OF a
wealthy heiress," he said, land l
merely mentioned the matter in the
course of conversation.
Il don't think l care to discuss TIE
earls private affairs, Mr.. Berton," said
Cyril coldly, land am sure have no
desire to learn anything concerning
Lady Norah's"
"of course not, of course not" as
scented Guilford Berton, it'll an upward
glance. las you say. it is no bust
ness of ours"
I didn't say so quite so plainly"
said Cyril, but l certainly think So
None whatever. 1t is later than
thought and | must be going"
"oh, don't hurry" demonstrated
Guilford Berton but Cyril would not
be persuaded to extend his visit, and
his host accompanied him along the
winding path and to the gate.
| EsCnaapsobt cold Txs,.;t Lz.o
you will come and see me some even
ing" he added as he was bound to do
Guilford Berton accepted the invita-
ton at once, and held out his hand.
Cyril took it and almost started, for
though the night was warm and genial,
Guilford Berton's hand was as cold as
ice.
IF l were doctor" Cyril said, Il
should order you another glass of
whisy-hot this time-and bed"
"Oh, I'm all right, thank you. oh,
by the way, Mr. Burne, shall be glad
if you will say nothing of the-the
slight indisposition under which you
found me this evening"
certainly, l will not" Cyril said
But l think you rather underes.i
mate it, ii you'll allow me say So
Guilford Berton shook his head with
a peculiar smile. 1T was nothing, !"
he said. Goodnight"
He stood at the gate in the wall
watching Cyril's strong 1.-the figure
striding away down the lane; then
boiling the gate securely, returned to
the house, and stood in front of the
chair Cyril had sat in, and looked at it
as if it's late occupant were still
there.
Poor and proud" he muttered,
'and handsome as the devil Just the
sort Of a man to take girls fancy.
Hum! | don't think you like me, Mr.
Cyril Burne, and /" he paused,
and his lips parted slightly; showing
his small teeth in n thin, white line
land l hate you. You may go your
way and not interfere, but If You
should cross my path and become a
nuisance" He stopped again, and,
after regarding the empty chair with
a sinister smile for another moment or
two, he took up the lamp and the
water jug, and went into the room in
which Cyril had found him.
Setting the lamp down upon the IN
Bile, he carefully locked the door and
fastened the window shutters. Then
he took large handkerchief from his
pocket, and, pouring some water on II
from the jug tied it over his mouth.
Then he unlocked the cupboard door
and, taking down two bottles and a
test glass, carefully poured into the
latter an equal portion of each of the
liquids contained in the bottles.
Lastly he got a small phial, and,
first holding out his hand at arms
length to see if 1t were steady, most
carefully and slowly allowed few
drops to fall into the mixture.
Whatever this last chemical might
have been, it worked an extraordinary
change in the compound to which it
had been added, for it Kissed as the
hot iron Kisses in the smiths trough,
and the color of the mixture changed
from dull gray to bright crimson,
then to a vivid green, and lastly lost
all color and became like water.
But at this point of it's TRANSITIONAL
ton faint, but penetrating odor
arose from it, so penetrating, indeed,
that it appeared to make it's way
through the wet handkerchief, and
Guiford Berton's pale face went
deathly white, and he swayed to and
fro slightly.
With muff1ed exclamation OF salts
faction, he skillfully poured the color.
less liquid he had concocted into an
empty phial, and, having tightly
corked it, removed the handkerchief
from his face. Then he covered the
cork with sealing wax, and, placing
the small phial in padded pocket in.
side his waistcoat, sank back in the
chair and smiled as one smiles who,
after infinite toll and trouble, has
reached longdesired success