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

suspicious chances flashing across the
table at her strange disorder. that the
idea occurred to her of way out of
1t. She was bold enough to try a
daring thrust at the mystery. y ever
a hunter was to be led of on a false
scent, Harry was that one She was
amazed at the sudden. fearl IS i'm
pulse that had sprung up in her She
wasn't even afraid TO say to him IN
der CIara's nose. Harry, ! want you
to myself after dinner Come up into
the garden study"
He was very willing to follow her
She thought she detected in his 'ac-
rity something more than curiosity or
concern II seemed almost as if Har-
~ was ashamed of that scene in the
red room. and anxious to make it up
with her. He even tried before they
had reached the head of the stairs
"oh, Floral say, Flora. l."
But an explanation between them
was the last thing she wanted just
then, She fairly ran. leaving him
painting In the wake of her airy skirts
For the first time since the thing
began Clara was left out completely
Flora knew she was even left out of
a possibility Of listening at the key.
hole. For the bright, tight. little
room into which Harry followed her
was approached by a square entry and
a double door, The room itself over.
hung the garden as a ships deck
overhaugs the sea. Leather books and
long red curtains were the note of 1t.
She and Harry had often been here
together before.
He hadn't got his breath. He had
hardly shut the door on them before
she began Well. something has
happened" She had his attention.
His other purpose was arrested ooh.
something extraordinary. l would
have told you on the spot. only
thought you would rather Clara didn't
know IT,"
~" That left him staring what
have to do with it?"
AZ this she gave him a long look
1T was through you he ever had the
chance of seeing me. mean the
blue-eyed Chinaman He has follow.
cd me all the evening. He followed me
here to the very door" Flora's array
Of facts fell so fast. so hard, so point
ed, that for a moment they held him
speechless in the middle of the room
ANY fleeting suspicion she might
have had OF his completely In the
Chinaman's pursuit vanished He
showed plain bewilderment. For a
moment he was laore at sea than her.
self. The next she saw the shadow of
a thought so disturbing that it sharp.
ened his rudy face to harshness He
stepped toward her What did he
say to your He doomed directly
above her. threatening.
Nothing. He didn't say anything
But l know he followed me quite to
the house. I saw his shadow all the
way down the hill"
Harry still breathed quickly
"Where--how did he come across
your"
She'd been prepared for the ques-
ton.
Il was driving down Suffer street
and he saw me at the carriage win.
dow
Harry stood tense, poised. catching
everything as she tossed II off; then
as II all at once he felt the fun weight
of the burden, Lord" he said, and
let himself down heavily into a chair
1t was plain in his helpless stare that
he knew exactly what 1t all meant
Laying her hands on the high chair
arms. leaning down so that she could
look into his face, Flora made her
thrust.
What do you think he wants? ?" she
gently asked II was as If she would
coax it out Of him. His answer was
correspondingly low and soft.
ITS that damned ring"
She heard her secret fear spoken
aloud with such assurance that she
waited. certain at the next moment
Harry's voice would people the ST.
lence with all the facts that had so
far escaped her But when, after a
moment of looking before him he did
speak. he went back to the beginning
which they both knew
you know he didn't want TO part
with It in the first place"
yes, yes; but he did" Flora in.
sisted.
WELL" he answered quickly. but
that was before" He caught him
self and went on with scarcely per
WI