Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-27

| had never heard the story before, re-
lated the double disappearance.
The man Furlong did not seem TO
take much inter est.
is that all? he said, half contempt
uously, when Mrs. English stopped
bTeathlessly. They cant have got
far either OF them; England isn't hig
enough to lose anybody in Who was
that young lady in the pony chaise?
he inquired after a pause, which the
bystanders had filed with indignant
chances at the "furrinar"
That? Why. that was Lady Norah,
the earls daughter" replied Mr.. Eng,
lish. you must be 2 stranger 4
these parts not to know that.
You're right, am stranger" ce-
torted Furlong. and he put his legs up
On the bench and went on with IS
pipe as if the subsequent proceedings
interested him no more"
Norah drove on in silence. Hartman
crying in suppressed way by her
side and for time Guilford Berton
did not speak
Fate was still cn his side, and work
ing for him in a persistent fashion thai
almost alarmed him Certainly, he
thought, he would receive a checl
presently; at the station perhaps It
was just possible that t,yril Burne haa
let some message thtre, had spoken
to some one, and the chain of evidence
with which Guiford Berton was con
meeting his disappearance with Becca
would snap
Don't cry. Mrs. Hartman" he said al
last. I'VE shall be sure to find your
niece before many hours have passed
After I'll nothing serious can have
happened to her"
At that moment the vision of The
murdered girl rose before him, and he
was forced to pause.
4 mean that the very worst view
Of the case is that she may have taken
it into her head to run away She
was-well, rather a giddy girl, was she
not?'
Yes, sir said Hartman, with diff.
Guilty. "Becea was liehty and uncer-
tain but-but that's the worst trat
can be said OF her. and can't under
stand her running away. She was go
happy up at the Court with her lady
ship. who'd been so kind to her Be
sides
You mean that you don't think She
would have run away alone. and thet
you don't know Of any one with whom
she was likely to do SOP he put in.
suavely.
Yes, sir; that's what meant a
sented Hartman with a sob.
Gutlford Berton looked sideways at
Norah's pale face.
OF course" he said. cheerfuIly.
Depend upon it, we shall hear of her
presently. and we shall be quite
amused with the account of her adten-
lures. Pray don't give way" he add
ed, in low tone, but purposely not
too low for Norah to hear. "You dis
tress her ladysh.p."
Il will not be long" he said. bat
Norah. feeling that if her life depend
ed upon it, she could not remain in
suspense while he made the inquiries.
gave The reins to the groom and rose.
Please don't get out. he sud
earnestly. Il will bring the station.
master Or any one else down to you"
Hartman and will both come" she
said, almost colby.
They found the station master qrI
Guiiford Berton put the questions.
Norah and Hartman standing by IN ST.
.lence.
Oh, Mr.. George" he said. we want
to ask You ahout the passengers Ly
your early train this morning"
Yes. SIR said the station.mast
respectfully. but evidently with some
surprise
Do You remember any OF them?
For instance, did you see"-he paused
"a scarcely perceptible moment. he
could rot bring himself to pronounce
Becca's name. He fought against the
difficulty In that brief second, but was
mastered by ibid you notice
whether Mr. Cyril Burne-the artist.
you know-trayeled by that train2"
Mr.. Burre-the gentleman who was
staying at the inn at SantIeigh? Yes
he did, sir" was the prompt reply.
Thank you" said Berton. "YoG
are quite sure, of course?"
oh, yes: l noticed him, because
saw him come by the down train last
evening, and / thought it rather
strange that he should be going back
so soon, and j., the early train. 7
suppose he came down for the bail at
Ferndale sir?"
Yes, he did" assented Berton.
ASK him If he saw Becca, sir" tal-
tered Hartman. fearfulIy.
Was Mr.. Burne alone?' he asked.
in a constrained voice.
4 cant exactly say, sir. You see.
sir IL wag darklsh, and the train e.
Ing bit behind time. we hurried the
passengers in. l don't know whether
any Of the men noticed" r,
looked round Did you see Mr.. Burne
this morning. he asked If the book.
ing clerk who had come out of his den
and had stood listening but respectful
ly remained silent until he was al
dressed.
Yes, sir; yes. my lady" he said
/ promptly THAT is. if he's a good.
4