Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-09-05
CHAPTER xxx.

Leola.
Both had spert a very anxious
time since The preceding night. To
tell the truth Mr.. ''ord's conscience
was extremely disquieted.
AS for Philip Dyce himself he was
half mad with the suspense.
Suddenly there came a knock at
the library door. Both men started
like disturbed conspirators. Mr..
Ford opened the door and admitted
Mrs. Wetherell If she had been
anxious and distressed before, she
looked now almost wild with appre-
hension.
"Oh, Mr.. Ford" she exclaimed,
"Leola is not in the Abbey"
Philip Dyce started.
Not in the Abbey?"
NO" said Mrs. Wetherell, anxious
". Il went up to her room a little
while since. and found that she was
not there l have been all over
the place ana cannot find her and
now Mary tells me that Leola's hat
and jacket are missing from the
wardrobe"
Philip Dyce looked at her and Bit
his lip.
"Leola cannot have left the place
without someone seeing her!' said
Dyee, impatiently.
But she has" said Mrs. Wether-
ell, and it makes me very uneasy.
wish you would go out and find her,
Mr.. Dyce. and tell her that l think
she ought not to be out There is
storm coming on, and indeed as
she spoke, the rain came down in
torrents.
Philip Dyce moved toward the
door.
7 will go at once" said Dyce.
How long is it since she left the
house?"
q cannot tell" said Mrs. wether-
ell; Mary did not know that her
mistress had gone. All this mystery"
added the poor old lady, lis simply
killing me- am sure something
dreadful IS going to happen."
Nonsense. my dear madam!" said
MIR. Ford, but very dismally.
Il a sure of it," said Mrs. Wether
ell: 4 seem to be living in an
atmosphere of mystery and danger.
Why are you two shut up-Iocked in
here? and why does LeOla pine
ard fret as she does? Is she not
happy. Mr. Dyce?"
What can l say!" retorted Philip
Dyce, almost savagely. Il viii go
and find her and he went towar j
the door; but before he could reach
it, il was opened from the outside,
and Cyril Kingsley stepped into the
room.
His appearance was so unexpected
that Mr. Ford and Mrs. Wethereh
uttered ordinations of surprise.
But Philip Dyee stepped back
without word, and Cyril entering.
was followed by the stranger who
had appeared at the dam.
At sight OF him Mr.. sFord sprang
to his feet.
Mr.. Sturgc he cried
The gepIeman bowed and held out
his har5.
tiow do you do, Mr., Ford?" he
said
Mr.. Ford took his hand and stood
holding it, looking 'wonderingly from
MIN to Cyril, who had quietly gone up
TO Mrs Wetherell and placed his
hand upon her shoulder. as If to
calm and reassure her.
You are surprised to see me,
said Mr. Surge, the stranger. Il an
Mr.. Cyrils legal adviser, and &C
company him"
"oh, indeed" said Mr. Ford, sink
ing into his chair again. Yes, / re
me mber-"
And by what right and by whose
voice Of Philip Dyce, does Cyri
Kingsley or yourself intrude a
Iyorme A5bey?'
Mr.. Surge smiled and bowed.
mfr. Dyce, I presumed"
THAT is my name, sir" said Phil
Dyce, with suppressed anger.
Il have heard of you, Mr.. Dyce,
you do not know me. l am tn
senior partner of the firm OF Sturg
and Surge, Lincoln's inn.
Philip Dyce bit his lip.
THAT fact does not interest me, a
your intrusion dies sir. What ma
be your business?"
AT present" said Mr.. Surge. wit
smile, Il am the guest OF Mis-
Dale"
Mr. Ford looked up
Miss Dale?' he said Where /
she? Do you know, Mr.. sturge?"
Il am here" said Leola's voice
and she came in and stood betwee
Cyril and Mrs. Wetherell.
Philip Dyce started forward.
MY dear Leola!" he said, bu
Cyril stepped in front of him
Wait Mr.. Dyce,' he said, speai
ing for the first time, and lookin
with an ominous sternness fun int
Philip Dyce's eyes.
Mr. Ford sprang up.
what does all this mean" h
said Miss Dale-Leola, my dear
why are those two gentlemen here?
and he waved his hand toward Cyrl
and Mr.. Surge There seems Z
be some fearful confusion and mys
terry"