Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-08-29
CHAPTER XxxVlII.

Mrs. Tibet had hurried back to
the farm 20 send messengers in every
direction to find him, but they had
all returned unsuccessful. He had
been seen to ride toward London, but
the horse had been brought back by
one of the farm carriers who had met
Cyril This man could tell nothing
except that the young master looked
strange and worried, and didn't
say when he would be back. Mrs.
Tibet extracted some comfort
from the TACT that Cyrirs belongings
still remained at the farm, but Leola
refused 20 be comforted.
Suspense was trying her almost
beyond endurance. Philip Dyce had
sent up twice, imploring her to
grant him an interview Mr.. Ford
had begged her to come down to see
him, but she had refused almost
fiercely. for Mr.. Ford. by pleading
Philip Dyce's cause had seemed to
her to class himself with CyriPs
foes. Without calling Mary she put
on her outdoor things, and with no
fixed destination before her, stole
down the staircase aud across the
hall with the stealthy tread Of a
theif-for she knew that Philip
Dyce was in the Abbey, and gained
a small side door from the hall
AS she stepped on to the side lawn
she ran against Mrs. Tibbett.
Both women uttered a cry OF
alarm
"Oh, Miss Leola, is that YOU Oh,
what are you doing out here?''
you have found him?"
Mrs. Tibbett shook her head.
mo, Miss Leola dear, but we shall
we shall, and there's others look
ing for him beside US. came =,
to tell you. I've run all the way
from The farm. A gentleman. a
stranger, has been to the farm this
morning asking for him.
Mr. Cyril?" said Leola.
Yes; and when l told hi that Mas
ter Cyril was away, he seemed quite
taken aback."
why did you not send him TO
me-" demanded Leola, almost fierce
ly.
She was in mood to quarrel with
her best friend.
Il did did, but he shook his
head and said he wanted TO see Mas
ter Cyril. and walked away"
Which vay?" asked Leola, sud
denly. Il viii see him"
'He went toward The MILL" said
Mrs. Tibbett anxiously. You won't
go alone-let me go with you, Miss
Leola dear
Mono" said Leola, hastily; q
will go alone-why should l not?
You ought never to have left it,"
Poor Mrs. Tibbett, He might
come back, and there would be no
one To bring him to me Go back
at once-I will go to the MILL" and
she turned swiftly away.
Meanwhile, quite ignorant of all
that bad occurred to right him in
the eyes Of LeoIa, Cyril was acting,
as most men do in such circum-
stances, very much against his own
interests
After he left Cicely he rode
straight toward London, and kept
upon the road until he met one OF
the farm carriers.
To This man he gave the horse,
bidding him take t back to the
stables; then set off on the road
again and on foot.
But toward dusk he cW into a by
road, and made his way back to
Lorme, and unseen by anyone.
reached the old mill
The night was cold and Cyril's
heart was heavy but thoughts OF
seeing Leola buoyed him up. and
wrapping himself up in tis rug. he
got some rest. After all, he had
slept n worse places than this old
mill. and had got to bed too often
on an empty stomach 10 he cut up
and dismayed at a supper Of biscuits
and draught OF water.
When he woke the sun was well
over the horizon, and all the Abbey
was ablaze in the morning light.
he Jumped up and ran no the win
dow, and looked long and ardently at
the old house, which, like grim
and ancient casket, held his treasure:
then he went down the rickety stairs
and had wash in The river There
We're still some biscuits and some
slices Of bacon left Of his purchase
Of the preceding evening. and he
climbed mp TO the first floor of the
mill, and seating himself at the
window. but NOT Of sight. made Ais
breai asst. little dreaming that men
We're hunting the country for him
and that Leola was waiting for him
with open arms
From this window ne could see the
south and west Of the Abbey. and as
the morning grew he watched with
eager excitement those persons who
went and came
He saw Mrs Tibbett furry across
the lawn; he saw Nj. Ford pacing
the terrace; and Cyril smiled
griJnly.
He has come to be told of her
betrothal r., that villain" he NUT.
tered be cen his teeth.
And little later he saw Chat
villain Philip Dyce pass up the drive
and enter the Abbey. But of I.eola
for sight of whom his thirsty heart
panied, he saw nothing
Three problems | have To solve "