Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-07-06
BARRIERS BETWEEN
By CHARLES CARWcE
By CHARLES CARv1cE


time-snd motioned 20 Nusen. to shut
the door
Look here, Nugent," he said, "Je-
anne is all right, l know"
THANK Heayen!' echoes a voice
behind them, and Bell, pale and anx-
ious, came forward.
eyes, JeanLe's all right; don't
alarm yourself. Bell left her-ahem
safe and sound, and in good com
pany AS to the rest, / know no
more than you do
But tine man in the stable?" quer-
led Nugent.
"oh," said Hal, that's all right,
too. MY man George will explain
that, I've no doubt. The fact is. Nu-
gent. Bell, can't be as explicit as
could wish; other people concerned,
you know"
What other people?" demanded
Bell; but before Hal could answer,
satisfactorily or otherwise, there was
knock at the door
ooh, George" groaned Nugent-
here's the Lambtons. no doubt, come
to ask il It's robbers or fret We've
kept the castle as quiet as possible,
but there has been such a row In
the stables, horses coming and horses
going, that don't wonder at every
body being disturbed. I'm off I'll
leave you to explain II Lady Fern
dale Is all right, I'm satisfied; the
rest can take care of themselves"
It was not either of the Lambtons.
but Willis, VINO, discreet as usual,
though looking nightly curious, just
put his head in at the door, and,
coughing apologetically, said:
Count Mikoff, my lord, wishes TO
see the marquis"
so do a great many OF US" said
Nugent. sarcastically. Tell the count
- but he stopped, hearing footsteps
In the hall, and Hal, whose ears were
sharp also. darted behind the curtains,
as the count. politely. but firmly. pull.
ing Willis aside, entered the room.
Agitated and excited. the count.
true to his code, was still cautious
and self-possessed. He was even
dressed with his usuri care, though
covered with dust. and his face, yell
lower than ever, was wrinkled in ev-
cry direction.
Gentlemen" he said, with his pol
ished bow and a sharp glance AROUND
the room, "a thousand pardons for
presenting myself at this extraordi-
nary hour beg thousand par
dons.
Don't mention ii, count" said M.
gent. In his straightforward way, as
he shook the counts hot and fever
ish hand: anything the matters?
Il hope, | sincerely hope nothing
serious, my lord replied the count,
again serutinizing the Apartment GOV.
ertiy; but we are very much alarmed
and extremely anxious"
by love, you're in the same boat
with us, them" said Nugent.
"Ah!" said the copnt--"indeed! l
noticed signs of unusual excitement
in the yard. What has happened?'
Tell us your news first, count. and
let's see If we can help you,p said
Nugent Anybody m? | hope not.
mo. no one is ill--at least, hope
not" said the count, fixing his pierre
ing little eyes upon Nugent's ingenu.
Gus face. THE fact is, gentlemen,
we are much alarmed at the villa by
the unaccountable disappearance OF
the Princess veronal"
WHAT exclaimed Nugent, amazed;
then he exchanged glances with poor
Bell. and looked down.
Simple Gell, of course. at once
looked toward the curtains. Roth
men knew at once what Hal mad
been engaged In. but both were puz.
zled to comprehend his return. Where
was the princess?
Eyes" said the count, upon whom
neither Nugents averted gaze, nor
Bells confusion were lost. Eyes, the
princess had retired TO her room, com
planning Of headache.
"TAey always do that's the ex-
cuse," muttered Nugent
q beg your pardon" said the count.
bending forward
Pray go on. said Nugent.
Complaining OF a slight headache.
her companion refrained from dis
turbing her until the hour for dinner.
when, knocking. and not receiving
any answer, she deemed Il best to
leave her mistress, concluding she
was asleep, undisturbed, Imagine our
astonishment and distress. my lord,
when, upon return, we discovered der
highness' room empty, and no signs
of her TO be discovered in any part
of the house or groundsl'
Nugent nodded lie couldn't ex-
press any astonishment, for he had
jumped at the whole truth.
cot course YOU gave the alarm"
said Nugent, for the sake Of saving
sometding
The count smiled
You have forgotten that her high
mss reputation was at stake We
iidu't even apprise her father or a
servant of her disappearance, but I.
myself, started in pursuit 20 Baden
why to BadenG" a.lid Nueent
Because for a hundred reasons
said the count, waving his hand. "As
you see, failed to overtake her. or
to discover any trace OF her