Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-10-12


lights in eyes and hair. and confront
ed the facts with an alert and calcu-
lating observation; but Flora was
tawny, toned from brown to ivory
through all the gamut of gold-hair
color of a panther's hide, eyes dark
hazel. glinting through dust-colored
lashes. chin round like a fruit. The
pressure of her fingers accented the
slight uptilt of her brows to elfish-
ness, and her look was introspectiye.
She might. instead of wondering on
the outside, have been the very center
OF the mystery itself, toying with un
thinkable possibilities of revelation.
She looked far over the head of Clara
Britton's annoyance that there should
be no clew.
Why, don't you see" she pointed
out, that is just the fun of it? It
might be anybody. II might be you,
or me, or Ella Butler. Though l would
prefer TO think it was some one we
didn't know so well-some one
strange and fascinating. who will pres
entity go slipping out the Golden Gate
in little junk boat, so that no one
need be embarrassed"
Clara looked back with extraordi-
nary intentness.
Oh, it's not possible the thing is
stolen. There's some mistakel And
II 1t were"-her eyes seemed to open
a little wider to take in this posi-
bility-"they will have detectives all
around the water front by tonight
Any one would find it difficult to get
away" she pointed out.
OF course; / know" Flora muir
INJURED. A faint twitch of humor pull
ed her mouth, but the passionate ro-
mantle color was dying out of her
face. How was it that ones romapoes
could be so cruelty pulled down to
earth? But still she couldn't quite
come down to Clara. AT least" she
| sighed, "he has saved me an awful
expense, whoever took it, for should
have had to have it,"
Mrs. Britton surveyed this state
ment consideringly. WAS it the most
valuable thing in the collection?
Flora hesitated in the face OF the
| alert question. 'I-don't know. But
! 1t was the most remarkable. II was a
Chatworth heirloom. the papers say,
and was given to Bessie at the time
of her marriage" The thought of the
death that had so quickly followed
that marriage gave Flora little
shiver. but no shade of the tragedy
touched Clara. There was nothing
but speculation in Clara's eyes-that,
and little disappointment. Then
they will put off the auction-if it is
really so,' she unused.
But there must be something in It,
Clara. Why, they closed the doors
and searched them-that crowd! It's
ridiculous."
Clara Britton glanced at the empty
place. Then that must be what has
kept him"
Who? Oh, Harry" 1t took Flora
a moment to remember she had been
expecting Harry. She hoped Clara
had not noticed it. Clara always had
too much the assumption that she
was taking him only as the best-look
ing. best-natured, safest bargain pre-
sented HE will be here" she re.
assured, but / wish he would hurry
| His dinner will be spoiled; and, poor
dear, he likes his dinner so much!"
The faint silver sound of the cleo.
trio bell. precipitate double peal,
seemed to uphold this statement. The
women faced each other in a mo-
ment's suspense, moment of expec.
tation, such as the advance column
may feel at sight of a scout hotfoot
from the field of battle. There were
muffied movements in the hall. then
light, even steps crossing the drawing
room. Those light steps always sug
/ gested slight frame. and, as always
| Flora was re-surprised at his bulk as
now it appeared between the parted
curtains, the dull black and sharp
white of his evening clothes topped by
his square, fresh-colored face.
We'll, Flora he said, Il know I'm
late" and took the hand she held to
him from where she sat. Her face
danced with pleasure Yes. he was
magnificent, she thought, as he cross
ed with his light stride to Mrs. Brit.
! toms chair. He could even stand the
harsh lines and lights of evening
| clothes. He dominated their ugly con
vention with his height, his face so
rGddy and fresh under the pale brown
of his hair, his alert, assured, def
movement. His high good nature had
the effect of sweetening for him even
Clara Britton's flavorless manner. The
I'VE we're speaking of you" with
which she saw him to his seat, had
all the warmth of smile, but a smile
far in the background of Flora's i'm.
! mediate possession. Indeed, Flora
had seldom had so much to say to
Harry as at this moment of her ex-
| element over what he had actually
seen. For the evidence that he had
seen something was vivid in his face.
She shook the paper at him. Tell
| us everything, instantly"
He gayly acknowledged her right
to make him thus stand and deliver.
| He shot his hands into the air with
the tightening vivacity that was in
him sort of wit Not guilty" he
| grinned at her.
Harry. you know you were in 1t.
The papers have you the most i'm
portant parsonage
upon my word! But look here
wait a minute," he arrived deliberate
ly at what was required Of him. II
you want 70 know the way 1t hap
! pened-here's your Maple room" He
: Faran q, dsa1ron Nth forke IN the