Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-09-30
Only a 6irl's Love
Continued.
By CHARLES CARVICE

&NAA4AANGs
Wait" said the boy, and his voice
seemed TO have grown stronger; 4
have not done yet. have followed you
here, Jasper, for purpose; have
come TO ask you for-for that paper,
Calmly ami dispassionately the re,
quest was made, as If it were the
most natural in the world. T" say
that Jasper vas astonisEed does not
describe as feelings.
"You-must be mad!' be e1-
Gained then he laughed.
You viii not give it 10 me?' was
hSe quiet demand.
Jasper laughed again
DO you know what that precious
piece OF handwriting OF yours cost me,
my dear Frank? one hundred and
fifty pounds that shall never see
again, unless your friend Holiday
takes to paying his debts
i see" Sid the boy, slowly, and his
voice grew reflective; you bought it
OF him? Nor-with a sudden hash
OF inspiration-"h was a gentleman.
BY hook or by crook you stole ii!
Jasper nodded.
Never mind how | got it, have
got it," and he struck his breast
softly.
The sunken eyes followed the ges.
ture, as if they would penetrate 10
the hidden paper itself.
Il know he said, in low voice; Il
saw you put it there"
And you Will not see 1t again I'M
til / hand it to Stella, tomorrow, or
give it TO the magistrate before whom
you will stand, my dear lad, charged
with forgery
The word had scarcely left his lips
but the boy was upon him. his loTg,
thin arms--endowed for moment as
IL seemed. with madman's strength
--encircling Jaspers neck. Not Il
word was uttered. but the thin, white
face, lit up by the cleaning eyes,
spoke volumes.
Jasper was staggered, not fright
ened. but simply surprised and ~lur-
lated.
Iou-y cr young fool" b Kissed.
Take your arms off me-"
Give it to me! Give it to met"
painted the boy, in frenzy. Give 1t
to me. The paper! The paper!'
and his clutch tigh'erld like a band
OF steel.
Jasper smo hered an oath. The
path was narrow; unconsciously, or
intentially. the feuzled lad had edged
them both, while talking. to the brink.
and Jasper was standing with his back
to 1t. In an instant he realized his
danger; yes. danger! For. absurd as
1t seemed, the grasp OF the weak, dy-
ing boy could not be shaken OFF; there
was danger.
Frank" he cried.
Give 1t met" broke in the wild
cry, and he pressed closer.
With an awful imprecation, Jasper
seized him and bore him backward,
but as he did so his foot slipped, and
the boy falling upon him. thrust a
hand into Jssper's breast ANA
snatched the paper,
Jasper was on his feet in nom
ent, and dying at him tore the paper
from his grasp. The boy uttered a
wild cry of despair. crouched down
for a moment, and then with that one
wild prayer upon his lips: Give 1t
me-" hurled himself apoL his foe.
For quite minute tAe struggle. so
awful ia It's inequality. ragged be-
tween them. His opponents strength
so amazed Jasper that he was lost to
all sense OF the place in which they
stood; in his wild effort TO shake the
boy of he uncoHsciously approached
the edge of the elm. unconsciousIy
on his part. but he other noticed it,
even in his frenzy. and suddenly. as
II inspired, he ahrleked out
Look, Leycesterl He is there be-
hind you'll"
Jasper started and turned his head;
the boy seized the moment and the
next tho narrow platform on which
they had stood was empty, A wrd
hoarss shrek rose up, and mingled
with he dull roar OF the waves be-
meath and then all was still,