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

I also IcChIGoS, anu CHuLDiH5 No"A
from The first floor, began to ex-
anime the wheel still keeping his
eyes or the Abbey.
The wheel was in good preserTa-
ton, ard given water or steam would
have spun round, with the best
wheel in the county.
Cyril poked about and amused
| himself by clinging TO the ladders or
steps and turning the huge wheels,
hich creaked dismally in its rusty
shaft, as if in complaint of being
aroused from its long sleep.
Standing in the deep cutting he
was still IN ambush, though he could
see the Abbey lawn and drive, and
| it was better than sitting upstairs
with nothing but ms bitter thoughts
fer amusement.
About this time Leola sent Mrs.
Tibet back . the farm, and was on
her way to the mill.
A few heavy clouds had come up
from the horizon and were massing
together, and a lull in the wind,
I that had been blowing Justify little
while ago, presaged a storm.
Leola noticed neither the clouds
nor the ominous stiffness, but hasten
ed in her way in search of the
stranger, who, while, inquiring for
Cyril, might give her some informa-
ton concerning him
Meanwhile a third person was APP
preaching the mill from an opposite
direction. Ever since the morning
Slime had been discovered leaning
over the dam, the old dam, the old
mill had exercised a peculiar fasci-
nation for him. He haunted ii at
all times, drunk and sober, more
especially the former He would
leave his cottage or the alehouse,
and SLOUGH along the riverside and
over the hedge. and lean over the
dam. staring vacantly before him,
multer.1S and threatening T1is
morning the fascination exerted it.
self with more than its usual power.
He lad been drinking heavily on the
preceding night, after his interview
with Mr. Ford, and had breakfasted
on a dram OF his favorite brandy.
Presently he crossed the bridge,
and reaching the other bank, made
his way to the dam. For a few
minutes he hung over it, chatting his
cold hands and shivering in every
/ limb, and staring stolidly at the mill.
Suddenly he saw something that sent
the blood to his head and made it
burn with a fercer heat than before.
He quivered in every lamb, The sky
| seemed TO swim above him, and the
| earth to roll from under his feet.
1t was Cyril standing in the cut
ting and looking at the wheel
For a moment the wretched Great
ure thought THAI the stawart
figure was a phantasy created by his
disordered brain; then, as Cyril
stepped upon the wheel and began
poking about the woodwork. Slime
realized that his enemy was indeed
there, and with cry of brutal rage,
he crouched down behind the dam
and watched with his eyes glazing
just above the woodwork.
And as he watched and glared
his heart began to beat fercely and
his fingers to itch. The sky
seemed suddenly to turn red, for the
devils thought had that instant en-
tered his head: why no raise the
dag-he could do it, with a strong
effort-and sweep his hated foe into
eternity!
The idea almost overwhelmed him,
and rendered him powerle IS with
paralysis. He crouched still lower
and tried to control himself suf
ficiently to accomplish his fendish
task, Il shant have strength
strength" he muttered, tearing at
his hands. feverishly, I'm old. old.
I shan be able 70 lift the lever.
Curse him! Curse him, III try"
And on his hands and knees he
crawled along the ledge at the back
Of the dam and laid his hand on the
lever.
It stuck hard and fast, as if
cemenled in its place
With a stifled cry, he threw him
self upon it and fought with it; it
moved, and the water beneath looked
to The frenzied man like a wild beast
cDuching to spring on its prey
Painting hard with the exertion, he
Went down on his knees and pulled
| at the lever and with a crash it
came closer down 10 him: in another
instant il would have COME down its
fun depth and Slime would have
been avenged, but in that instant
there was the sound Of a step on the
narrow plank, and a hand was laid
on his shoulder
With a cry of superstition and ter
ror the oyer-wrought wretch looked
round and mp into the white, hor.
rjtied face of Leola.
With a swift revulsion from terror
to rage Slime sprang to his feet and
clung to the lever, and Leola. with
cry threw herself upon him.
The clear cry Of horror smote up
on Cyrils ears; he looked around
end saw two figures on the dam, aud
for the moment thought he must be
| dreaming.
Then with a shout he sprang up
the bank, and dashed on to the dam.
II was not moment too soon.
Sine had seen that his victim must
! escape. and reliuQuishing the lever.