Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-12-28

ceptible break: "He may have had
better offer for Il since"
He couldn't have put II more mildly,
and yet that temperate phrase brought
back TO her in a flash windy night
fun of raucous voices and the great
figures in the paper that had covered
half page-the reward for the Crew
Idol Could it be that-that sum Sc
overwhelming to human caution and
human decency which Harry had
cloaked by his grudging phrase some
better offer?" What else could he
mean? And what else could the blue.
eyed Chinaman mean by his strange
pursuit of her?
Some one must have wanted II
awfully," Flora tried again. keeping
step with his mild admission.
Harry covered her with an impressive
stare. There's something queer about
that ring" he nodded to her He was
going TO tell her at last! She gazed
at him in expectation. but presently
she realized that nothing more was
coming He had stopped at the be.
ginning, she tried to urge him on.
Queer, what do you mean?" She
was feigning surprise.
He looked at her cautiously. why.
you must have noticed il yourself
when we were at the shop. And now,
tonight. his having followed you
She could see him hesitate, choos.
ing his words. She knew we'll enough
her own fear OF saying too much--but.
what was Harry afraid of? Did he
suspect her feeling for KERR Was
that why he was holding back, leav-
ing out. giving her the small. expur.
gated version of what he knew. She
tried again. making 1t palmer.
You think the ring is something he
ought not to nave had; something
that belongs somewhere else?"
He looked away from her. around
the room. as II TO pick up his answer
from some of the corners. We'll. any.
way, it's lucky we waited about that
setting" he said with quick irrele-
vance IF you're going TO be annoyed
in this way you'd better let me have
t."
Why hadn't she thought Of that It
was what any man might say, after
hearing such a story as hers, yet 1t
was the last thing she had thought of,
! and the last thing she wanted
ooh, leave It with me-" she quaver.
ed, "at least till you're surel"
"Oh, mol" He gave his head a quick,
decided shake. III something should
10 10
mixed up in II"
Then why not give II back to the
Chinaman?" she tried him.
"Oh. that's ridiculous" He was In
a passion His darkening eyes. his
swelling nostrils. HIS aspect so out of
proportion to her mild and almost
playful suggestion, frightened her. lie
saw IT and instantly his mood dropped
! TO mere irritation. "Oh, Flora, don't
make a scene about II. This thing has
been on my mind for days--the
thought that you had the ring. l was
afraid I had no business TO let you
have IL in the first place, and what
you've told me tonight has clean
knocked me out. ! don't know what
III bay ms AOiAfg ANA itAh ttAfG II y
and If there's anything queer about
the busincig at least Wen get it
cleared up"
But. smiling, she retreated before
him.
why. Flora" he argued. half laugh
ing, but still with that dry end of IT.
ritation In his voice, what on earth
do you want TO keep the thing for?'
BY this time she backed against the
window and faced him. why, it's
my engagement ring"
He looked at her. She couldn't tell
whether he was readIest to laugh OF
rage.
You gave It to me for that" she
pleaded. why shouldn't ! keep it.
until you give me real reason for
giving 1t up? II you really know any
thing. who don't you tell me2" She
was sure she had him there: but hs
! burst out at last:
gro BE CONTINUED