Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-29


audacious in the most dangerous OF
ways, In the cold, calculating manner
of a cunning, interruptions man.
> He was clever-undoubtedl clever;
be had been very successful, and had
made that success by his own unaided
efforts. Already. young as he was, ne
was beginning to be talked about.
When people we're in any great diff
Guilty in his branch Of the law, they
went TO him, sure Of finding him cool,
ready, and capable.
His chambers in the inn held lit
tie museum of secrets secrets about
persons of rank and standing, who
were supposed to be quite free from
such inconyenient things as skeletons
in cupboards.
People came TO him when they were
in any social fix; when they owed
more money than they could pay;
when they wanted a divorce, or were
anxious to hush up some secret, whose
threatened disclosure involved shame
suo1seIpv IsdsBf pus 'sosdssIp pue
was always ready with sauna advice,
and, better still. some subtle scheme
or plan.
Yes, he was a successful rian, and
had failed so seldom almost never
that he felt he could be confident in
this matter. too.
Il have always done well for
Others" he thought. Il have gained
some difficult points for other people;
now / will undertake this difficult mat
ter for myself"
He went home to the Rectory and
pondered, recalling all he knew Of old
Rtheridge. It was very little, and the
rector could tell him no more than ne
knew already.
James Etheridge lived the life OF a
recluse. appearing 20 have no friends
or relations save Stella, nothing
was known s0out his former life. He
had core down into the quiet valley
seine years ago, and settled at once
In the mode OF existence which was
palpabIe to all.
"Is he, was he, ever married." asked
Jsper.
The rector thought not.
II don't know" he said. He GER
tainly hasn't been married down here.
doat think anything Is known about
him"
And with this Jasper had to be con
tent. All the next day after his meet
fng with Stella and LEICESTER, ne
strolled about the meadows hoping to
see her, but failed. He knew he
ought to be in London, but he could
not tear himself away.
His arm felt little stir, and though
there was nothing else the matter
with it. he bound 1t up and hung it in
a sling. explaining to the rector that
he had fallen from his horse.
Then he heard OF the party at the
Hall, and grinding his teeth with envy
and malice, no stole into the lane and
watched Stella start.
In his eyes she looked douhly beau
tiful since he had sworn to have her,
and he wandered about the lane and
meadows thinking of her, and think,
ing, too, of Lord LEICESTER all that
evening, waiting for her to return, to
get one look at her.
Fortune favored him with more than
look, for while he was waiting the
boy from the post-offlce came down
the lane, and Jasper, with very little
difficulty, persuaded him to give up
the telegram to his keeping.
l am sorry to say that Jasper was
very much tempted to open that tele-
gram, and If he resisted the tempta-
ton, it was not in consequence uf
any pangs of conscience. but because
he thought that 1t would scarcely be
@orth while.
1T is only some commission for
picture" he said to himself People
don't communicate secretly by teia-
gram excepting in cipher"
So he delivered 1t unopened as we
know, but when he heard that sudden
exclamation of the old mans he was
heartily sorry he had not opened 1t,
When he parted from Stella at the
gate. he walked OFF down the lane, but
only until out of sight, and then re
turned under the shadow of the hedge
and waited
ia could see into the studio, and see
the old man sitting in the chair bowed
with sorrow. and Steha's graceful
figure lowering about him.
There was no one at the station be-
ing in that telegram" he muttered. Il
was fool not to make myself ac-
uuainted with 1t, What will he do
now?"
He thought the question out, still
watching. and the old mans move
ments seen plainly through the lighted
windows--for Stella had only Drawn
the muslin curtain to hurriedsy and I'm,
perfectly afforded an answer.
"He is going up to town." he NUT
tered
He knew that there was an early
market train, and felt sure that the
old man was going by II.
Hastily glanclng at his watch he set
his hat firmly on hia head. slipped his
arm ont Of the sling, and ran toward
the Rectory; entering by side docs
he went to his room, took a bag con
tanning some papers, secured his coat
and umbrella. and leaving note on
Ia a. es Vs.f.f 10. hnA