Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-22
Continued.

you. But / tell you what | am gollg
to do. am going to make oar
gain with you. Wait Better not cut
in yet a while. for it strikes me tnat
when you've heard what I've got to
say you'll be sorry for cutting up
rough. Now, Mr.. Berton, don't think
me impertinens if l ask you a ques-
ton. Is it fact that you want to
marry the beautiful young lady up at
the Court there?''
Guilford Berton started, and the
color rushed to his face, but ne le-
manned silent.
Silence gives consent. | give you
credit for the best of taste I've seen
a great many of the fair sex in both
hemispheres, and | say''-he struck
the table with his powerful fist
that that young lady towers above
them all as-as-a palm towers above
a lilac bush. Why, sir, If | were as
young and good-looEing as you are
/ should be as much in love with her
as you are From all hear there
isn't a young man within twenty
miles who wouldn't give all he's
worth, and ten years of his life TO
boot to lead her to the altar"
Berton rose, as If unable to control
himself. but FurloAg coolly waved to
him
"Sdt down, Mr.. Berton, | meant no
offenseI wouldn't speak a disrespect-
ful word of her-ay, and what's more,
I'd knock down any man that offered
to do so in my presence. Sit down
and keep your temper You'll want
all your nous presently"
There was something a subtle sig
nifcance in his tone which carried
weight, ana Guilford Berton sank into
the chair again.
That's right. And now about this
bargain l spoke of. Suppose, Mr..
Berton, l possess some information
which would help you In your suit
with that young lady. Suppose
could tell you something. a secret
worth its weight in gold to you, some
thing that would make your way
straight and plain, and insure your
getting that young lady for your wife
what would you say?" and he lean
ed forward and looked him straight be-
tween the eyes.
Berton smiled incredulously.
Il should say | utterly refuse to
believe a WORD you say" he said,
ana IL you knew me better, you
would know that [ am the last man
to make terms with a rufianly burg
lar Tell your story. whatever it may
be, to the police; l fancy you will dud
them as incredulous as l am"
Good. You've said what you ought
to say, and you've said it very well
give you all credit for yoIr cour
age. But Ill give you another chance
and Etell you frankly that if YOU don't
come to my terms I shall, very re
luctantly. have to tie YOU in that
chair and gag you while l get clear
Oft Come, you're dying to ask me
what l meant. Just ask me a few
questions. For instance. what do /
find in the photograph of this lady to
interest and startIs me so much?''
EAltAAt eh9A iva EAVtnlAlSs W ait
to hear NJ more fromGyou
Then I'll ask you a few questions.
First Of all. do you know who this is "
Z don't ask YOU how you came by il.
Perhaps the young lady gave it to
sou, or you found it, or perhaps you
stole it."
Guilford Bertons face famed, but
he swallowed his rage and answered
Quietly enough for Fur.ong had spols-
en- the truth. and he was dying to
hear what the man had TO say.
You don't deserve an answer" he
said.
But you'll humor me, eh? Just 50.
wen?"
1T is the portrait of the late Count
ess of Arrowdaies companion, said
Guilford Berton, slowly, and almost
sWlenly
And her name was Catherine, It's
written mere on the card. and her sur
name was Hayes. And when the
COUNTIES left her husband the earl. her
maid, this Catherine Hayes, went with
herr"
"She did"
lis she dead?" asked Furlong, very
grimly
THE countess? Yes"
This woman. the maid. this Gather
ine?" said Furlong
Yes. she is dead too"
Dear, dear" muttered Furlong
Tell me now. did she live with he
mistress till the countess died?
She did"
''And the young lady, Lady Norah
was left in her charge, suppose?
asked Furlong
THAT is so. Why do you ask
What interest"
II ask because didn't know re
piled Furlong Il know a grea
deal but not all"
He gazed at the portrait some mo
ments lost in thought, then he 90
up and laid II on the table
Come and take a good look at It.
he said.
Berton hesitated a moment, hal
suspicious that 1t was trap to sc
him away from his post In front o
the door, but Furlong cast glanc,
Of contempt at him
"Man, can't you see I'm in earnest?