Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-09

book of dark blue morocco. mono
grammed in silver, lay an old seal of
twisted gold.
Looks like a good haul, eh?" said
Dick, comfortably. Maybe some
aren't worth our having, but it will
save time if we scoop the lot, on
There's a good deal besides" re-
marked Jim, nodding toward the
tables where silver and gold caught
the light of the fire. "And then,
therell be the dining room. We
don't want to waste carry space. III
bet she's put down in that little
book under the seal a list of presents
she's sending away. Let's cast an
eye over it."
He took up the book as he spoke,
slipping the gold seal in his pocket,
but if the blue volume had a secret
to weep it was prepared to keep it
well. 1t was locked with tiny
silver paddock, and the key was not
in it
She'll keep it in her room with the
jewely she wears by day-on a
watch chain or bracelet, perhaps"
said Dick.
'No doubt of it," Jim agreed. but
we shan't know, for We'll stick to our
bargain and do no bedroom prying
The girl wears little jewelry, we know
that, and if there are heirlooms
they'll be in the bank. AS for money
/ in the house, if the women have it I'M
der their pillows, let them keep it.
We've never gone in for risking rows
and we never will while I'm in part
nership, anyhow where there are wo-
men concerned. But for the book,
if it can tell US anything, we can
have the information without the
key" And proud of the strength he
had in his hands Che could tear half
pack of carde in two,) he wrenched
the book open.
1t was the last page to which he
turned for the list that might be
there, and Dick watched him, holding
the lantern. 1t was clear, whatever
he found in the book was something
which interested him, for immediate
ly he was absorbed.
"Well?" inquired his friend, grow
ing FESTIVE. Anything in our liner"
Not much" said Jim. tits not a
list, it's love story. say. Dick,
who'd have thought it,"
Thought what?"
THAT the heiress was miserable.
Not woman in the country, sup
pose, that doesn't envy her name, and
her money, and good looks-her
| youth, too; but all the while she's
wretched."
THAT doesn't concern us even If it
is Christmas, and peace on earth,
good will to men," sneered Dick,
half amused, half annoyed at the de-
/ lay made by his partners curiosity.
Jim gave no answer. He was deep
in the book again, and had turned
back many pages now.
Come along, let's get to work, .
Dick urged.
why, she's loved him for years!"
exclaimed jim
well, if you're not the queerest
chap" grumbled his partner, still
between two emotions. you come
/ to a house on business-pretty spec
ial sort of business, too-and you
stop to read love letters"
"Tisn't love letters it's a diary"
/ said Jim. TITS beautiful-as good as
any story-and l always had a big
weakness for love stories"
! / know that. There's a novelette,
forever stuck in your pocket. You are
an odd mixture. But there's Tins
for everything. This is the time to
help ourselves-not to girls se5f}CF
but to something better worth hay
| ing"
We've all night before u5. No
chance of being disturbed. Begin II
you're in a hurry. l must just ind
out what happened to part of them,
and who he is, anyhow. He seems
| from what I can see, to be man Oh
Importance in politics or something"
Dick growled and got to work. His
coat, as well as his friends was lined
with huge pockets, made for pur-
pose; and there was, besides, a bag.
He put away the parcels on the desk
in no time, and went over to the table
spread with gold eand silver curiosi-
ties. He took the lantern with him,
and Jim, if he would go on with his
reading, was obliged to light one OF
the pink shaded candles on the desk.
He was getting at the bottom of the
little love mystery now, for Rosamund
Dering had been crank with her diary
The great charm which even a man
| Ii .e Jim Potter could feel lay it that
frankness, the human nature in it,
| like Jim Potter could feel lay in that
frankness, the human nature in it,
sweet hearted, girlish human nature,
warm to the world, giving love and
wanting it. AS he read on, he glanc-
| ed up from time to time at a portrait,
painted by master, Of beautiful.
happy looking girl of II. dressed in
| white.
Years had passed since Rosamunf
Dering had posed for that picture
done by her fathers wish. She was
"a or % now, but as beautiful as of
old, though the merry light in the eyes
had changed to usefulness. Jim had
often seen her since he and Dick had
heard Of the house, and the fine silver
it contained. carelessly kept by
household Of women who dreamed not
| of robbers. He admired her. too, for
| he had an ere for pretty woman: and