Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-18

! see, everything is known"
Go on" said Cyril. musingly, all
the anger gone from his voice, and Il
deep thoughtfulne5s taking its place.
Go on. You say she went up by the
last train with me What else?"
And wasn't she always hanging
about after you? Wasn't she here at
the gate that very afternoon? And
wasn't you always up at her cottage
to tea and the like
Go on" said Cyril, With unnatural
] quietness.
And wasn't it known all over the
village that the forward creature had
set her cap at you ever since you
came to the farm? And then-oh,
/ Mr. Cyril, how can you stand and
look at me so innocent hke?-
wasn't there the creatures own let
tiers saying as she had gone away
with your"
And at this climax to the evidence
against the accused, Mrs. Tibet eX-
tended both hands convincingly.
Same irain-letter. Where is that
letter." demanded Cyril, apparently
not a bit overwhelmed.
| 'The-the letter; how do I know"
retorted Mrs. Tibbett; "on the flames
| ii it's in its right place Perhaps
Mr. Dyce has got it
Philip Dyce-ah!' exclaimed Cyril,
with sudden fierceness. Then he
paced up and down the room. Sud
denly he pulled up.
And old where is he?'
Poor cid Marsden has gone up 10
London with Edward Young. after
that wicked girl who isn't worth their
trouble Oh. Mr.. Cyril, let them
have her back; she amt worthy to
clean your boots"
Silence" said Cyril, sternly. Then
he turned to her; Look at me in the
face. Now" as Mrs. Tibbett raised
her red. swollen eyes, do you think
me capable Of this thing?"
Mo" breathed Mrs. Tibbett;
but"
"But-what?"
Everybody does, Mr.. Cyril; and
look at the facts and circumstances"
Everybody echoed Cyril DO you
mean that Miss Dale considers me
guilty?"
His voice was so stern and hard
that Mrs. Tibebtt was almost afraid
| to answer.
Yes, she does, she said at last
/ How could she help it,
Cyril turned away and put his hand
up to his face. When he looked
around again, Mrs. Tibet was
startled 10 see how pale il had grown.
and how the news of Leola's belief in
his guilt had stricken him.
How could she help it," repeated
Mrs. Tibhatt She hadn't seen you
and heard yor +2!'- IS you've done to
me- she added, naively
And she believed it," murmured
Cyril. She"
Then he caught up his hat but
put It down again, and strobe 20 and
fro uncertainty.
And Lord Beaumont--did he be
lieve that I had run away with this
girla"
Mrs. Tibet shook her head, sadly
How could he do otherwise? They
say he quarreled with Mr.. Dyce about
it standing up for you through thick
and thin, until Old Marsden came with
The letter from the girl"
SO. So" said Cyril; and he be-
Iieved IT. Truly a man may live
amongst you for months, and gain no
bold upon your trust"
Then he took up his hat
Stop and have something to eaS
Mr.. Cyril" pleaded Mrs. Tibet;
you look so pale and tired"
Il am going 20 the Abbey at once"
said Cyril.
TITS TO asa-no< yet at least. -"
said Nrs Tg5b4-t. ~so had not told
him al the tr4sa, a1a was afraid to.
i am going 70 tas Abbey" said
Cyril sternIy, q walked out Of The
house.
/ He noticed ebsant'y. that the peo-
/ pie he passed stared at him. even
his own laborers; and one or two
muttered Polly Marsdens name at a
safe distance. but they did not trouble
Cyril-au his thodghts were of I4eola.
Full Of grief and bitterness of soul
/ he strobe on with downcast head.
/ He could have borne all and smiled
at everything If she had been true
and stanch
But that she should have believed
+ the tissue Of lies which had been so
ingeniously weaved, struck him to the
heart.
He felt, besides, bewildered by the
tangled web which had chung round
him and impeded his progress.
There had been deceit and forgery
somewhere. Who was the prime
mover in the plot?
Who else could it be but Philip
/ Dyce?
But these were secondary thoughts
/ -Leola stood first.
He walked up to the tarrace-one
Iot the servants, n coachman. passed
him, but instead Of touching his lat
toCk not the slightest nodce-and
rang the hall bell.
The porter opened it and nodded
grlmly at the sight Of Cyril.
The man did not look surprise 4
because the news of Cyrirs return