Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-07-10

4 cry as if the spirits had given him
power to realize the truth, he flung
mis- hands above his head and cursed
| Cyril, and even Norah herself As he
was raying. in the very midst of the
awful stream of profanity, he stopped
! short suddenly and listened.
What he heard was only the distant
sound of the crowd, but to his ea's it
took to itself the likeness of wall,
cry from a woman, and, with shud-
der, he covered against the sidefoard,
} and looked over his shoulder with an
expression of sickening fear and dread
on his white face. for once again he
seemed to see that vague, indefnabIe
shade which bore the faint outlines OF
the murdered woman, and which had
haunted him now and again whenever
he was over4tried or excited. For a
moment-that might have been year
he stood covering, bent almost dou-
BILE; then the expression of his face
changed to one of sinister cunning,
and, still looking behind him and
moving his lips. though no words
came, he stole on tiptoe toward The
cupboard
Three hours later Cyril and Jack
| stood together in the drawing room.
Lady Ferndale and Norah had gone
upstairs, presumably to bed, but re,
ally to sit and talk of the wonderful
events of the day, and Lord Ferndale,
declaring that he must have a quiet
cigar after all the excitement had
taken Mr.. Petherick to the smoking
room.
81 wish I could tell you all feel to-
night, Jack" he said; 'how happy
am, how grateful to you all, to you
and the Ferndaies, and all these good
people. with their simple. warm
hearted welcome. Please God. will
be worthy of their love, and keep l.!
But my darling won't find it difficult
to do that, will she? jack ask NY
SELF as | stand here thinking of the
great good luck which has fallen to
me- why I. OF all men, should have
been so fortunate and so blessed and
and, Jack, it almost frightens me:
can only say. from the bottom of
my heart, that am grateful-vcrY.
very grateful and, thank God, can
add that am at peace with all men "
Even Guiford Berton?" said Jack
quietly.
Jack. I had forgotten him he
said simply.
! That's only natural" reioined Jack.
But ] haven't, and as | have inter-
fered so much in your affairs you'd
better let ne finish up by disposing
OF that ingenious gentleman" and he
began buttoning up his coat
/ What are YOU going to do?" asked
Cyril, gravely.
I'm going to call upon Mr.. Berton.
Tonight"
Tonight for I've shrewd suspi-
c!on that if l wait until the morning l
shall not find him at home"
"But-but why not let him al,ne?
Why not let him go. All. see, I'd
almost forgotten"
Yes said Jack, quietly and grInly,
4 only want to ASK Mr. Berton one
question. and l intend to have the an
swer That question: is, Where Is
/ Becca SOuth? If that answer Is
satisfactory I should cay you had
better let Mr.. Guilford Berton de-
part in peace
"In Heavens name, yes!" responded
Cyril
Il don't know that Heaven will
have much to do with it, rejoinei
Jack, going into the hall and asking
/ for his coat and hat
Bring mine, too" said Cyril. quiet.
ly. to the footman
You mean TO so with me?" asked
Jack.
Can you ask me, my dear fellow
Then Ferndale and Petherick shall
go Also said Jack, and he went into
the smoking-room and informed them
of his purpose.
Almost without word the four
men went cGt. Jack only made one
remark as he looked up at the sky
If it were not for the bonfire we
should want a lantern
Still in silence, or speaking .ust
above a whisper, they went down the
lane, and stood before the gate in the
wall
Locked" said Jack, and he looked
at Cyril.
Cyril put his strong shoulder to the
door, and with creak it fell back.
Jack nodded approvingly.
'All dark, he said, in whisper
He has gone to bed or-town. No
the doors open Wait" he added Dr.
the threshold; "let me go first; III call
if | want you"
They signed assent, and, still lit !yI
the glow of the bonfire, he pushed
open the door OF the parlor. Almost
in an instant he was back with them
saying nothing. but with an expression
on his face which caused them to
start forward.
"Wait-a light" he said in voice
that trembled slightly
Lord Ferndale struck light, and
they entered tine room.
A strange pungent smell came out
to meet them, and almost stifled
them Cyril. with a forebodmg of
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