Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-01-18
CHAPTER XXI.
clara's Market.

her breath lest at her slightest stir
they approached her door. Why, since
he wanted the sapphire. hadn't he
tried to get it from her when he had
had her unawares, upon her threshold
with the house asleep? 1t began to
seem to her as II he were waiting, as
If he were forced to wait, for some ap.
pointed moment. She knew if 1t were
his moment It would be hers. too. as
long as she had the sapphire upon
her. She recalled fearfully the mo-
ment when she had crouched against
the window with her hand protecting
the Jewel, and Harry's hand grasping
her wrist He would know well enough
where to find it now Oh. the restless
uncomfortable thing Where could
she hide it7
She took the pear-shaped pouch
that swung always before her on her
long gold chain. She had repudiated
that hidingplace before, but now the
more obvious the better--now that
both men supposed she carried the
Jewel far hidden out of sight. with.
out removing from the bed where she
was crouched. cramped and cold. she
made the exchange, leaving the chain
still around her neck, dropping the
jewel into the pouch. where it would
swing free. so carelessly dangling as
to be beyond suspicion, but never be-
yond the reach of her hand.
II was a pale. splendid dawning full
of clouda when she fell asleep
Broad sunlight filled her room when
she was awakened by knocking at
her door. She sprang from the bed
and went to It. She was not 10 be
come in upon by any unwelcome Wis
itor. But it was Mrs Herrick; and
Flora, with a murmur of relief. since
this was the one person she did want
to see, drew her inside
why. my child. you haven't slept,
at least not properly" Mrs. Herrick
herself looked anxious and weary
I've come TO tell you that Mrs. Brit.
ton is here, She came an hour ago"
Where is she?"
In the breakfastroom with Mr..
Cressy."
oh" Flora cried. you know I
didn't expect them didn't want
them. 1t wasn't for them asked you
TO come"
But can't you tell me what II is
you're afraid off" the other urged.
Between us can't we prevent IT.? Is
there nothing can do to help your"
"Ah, If you knew how much you
have already helped me by Just being
here"
Her companion laughed a little.
Cant I do something more active
than that?"
Flora pondered. where is Mr..
KERR"
In the garden, in the willow walk"
DO you think you can manage that
the others don't get at him?"
Il can; II he doesn't want TO get al
them" Mrs. Herrick replied Against
man like that. my dear" she aimed
1t gravely at Flora. "one can do moth
ing"
But Flora had no answer for tho
warning II must see Clara immedi.
ately," she said
But not without breakfast" Mira
Herrick protested. u will send you
up something Remember that sho
never abuses herself, so she's always
fresh-and so she's always equal to
the oc sion"
Mrs. herrick went. Flora looked
into the mirror Almost for the first
time in ten days she thought OF her
appearance. If 1t was, az Mrs. Her.
rick said a factor of success. some
thing must be done for IT, for It was
dreadful The best she could do re-
vived pale replica of the vivid crea-
ture who had been wont to regard her
from her glass. Yet her black gown.
thin and trailing far behind her, and
her hair wound high. by very force
OF their contrasted color. gave her a
real brilliance as they gave her a
seeming height But she descended
to the breakfastroom with trepida-
ton. and stood a fun minute before
the door gathering courage to go in.
When she did open #. It was so
suddenly that both occupants faced
her with a start They were stand
ing close together. and between them.
on the glare Of the white table-cloth,
lay a little heap Of gold As they
peered at her she saw that both were
highly excited, bat IN Clara It showed
Ike a cold sparkle: in Harry il
gloomed Ike menace His hand
lowered, c,enched. above the money
in a panic Of irresolutlon; then. as it
with an involuntary relax Of nerves.
opened and let fall one last piece OF
gold Like a fash the whole disap-
peared in sweep Of Clara's hand. Il
passed before Floras eyes like a
presiidigitator's trick, so rapid as to
seem unreal. and left her staring. Har.
ry gave Clara a look, half suspicious,
half entreating; and then, to F1cra's
establishment, turned away without a
word 70 either Of them.
Clara stood still, even after the
door had closed upon Harry, and odd
ly, and rather horribly. she wore the
same aspect she had worn the day
when she had looked intently and alb
sorbedly upon the riGed contents OF
F1ora's room.
ITO BE CONTINUED
Hewitt-My wife can score a base
ball game.
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