Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-07-12


sirT'
Il believe you're right, Doggott;
only your common-sense surprises me.
But It makes # easier in a way. :"
Amber fell thoughtful again.
lows that, sir-if I my ask2'
''This way" said Amber: Before
he died, Mr.. Rutton asked me to do
him a service. agreed. He sug-
gested that take you with me-"
I'm ready, sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly. There's no gentleman
I'd like to valet for better than your
self"
But there will be dangers. Dog
gott-I don't know precisely what.
That's the rub; well have to travel
halfway round the world and face I'M
known perils. If Mr.. Rutton were
right about II, well be lucky to get
away with our lives"
I'll go, sir; It was is wish. I'll
go with you to India, Mr. Amber"
VERY we'll :" Amber spoke
abstractedly. reviewing his plans.
But" he enquired suddenly, 81 Sldn't
mention India. How did you know
WHY suppose l must ave
guessed 1t, sir. 1t seemed so likely,
knowing what do about Mr. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put a single question in re-
gard to the dead mans antecedents.
But after pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily.
He always 'ad a deal to do with
persons who came from India-nig-
gers-I mean, natives. II didn't much
matter where we'd be-London or
Paris or Berlin or Rome-they'd unit
i'm up; some ed give money to and
they'd go AMY; others ed be locked
up with in is study for hours, talking.
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice. E 'ated 'em all. Mr.
Rutton did. And yet, sir, always
'ad suspicion"
Doggott hesitated. lowered his voice,
his gaze shifting uneasily to the still,
shrouded figure in the corner.
'What?" demanded Amber tensely.
"I alw'ys thought per'sps 3 was
what we call In England a man Of
color, 'imself, sir"
"Doggott!"
Il don't mean no arm, sir; 1t was
just their 'cunding him, like, and is
being a dark-complected man the
syme as them, and speakin' their Ian
guage so ready, that made me think
it. At least e might ave 'ad a little
Of their blood in i'm, sir. Things d
seem unaccountable otherwise" con-
Guided Doggott vaguely.
TITS impossible!" cried Amber.
yes, sir; at least, 1 mean 1 'ope so,
sir. Not that it'd myke any difference
to me, the wye felt towards i'm. e
was a gentleman, white OF black. I'd
We died for I'm any d'y."
"Doggott!" The Virginian had risen
and was pacing excitedly to and fro.
'Doggott! don't ever repeat one word
of this to man or woman-while
you're faithful to the memory of Mr..
Rutton."
The servant stared, visibly i'm
pressed. Very good, Mr. Amber. I'll
remember. sir. / don't ordinarily Cos
sip, sir; but you and him being so
thick, and everything appening to-
night so 'orrible, forgot myself I
'ope you'll excuse me, sir"
God in heaven!" cried the young
man hoarsely. TT can't be true!" He
flung himself into his chair, burying
his face in his hands. TT can't"
Yet irresistibly the conviction was
being forced upon him that Doggott
had surmised Alright. Circumstances
backed up circumstance within his
knowledge of or his experience with
the man, all seeming to prove incon-
testably the truth of what at the first
blush had seemed so incredible. What
did he, Amber, know of Rutton's par
entage or history that would refute
the calm belief Of the body-servant
Of the dead man?
And then Amber's intelligence was
smitten by a thought as by a club;
and he began to tremble violently, I'M
comfortably, being weakened by ia
tigue and the strain of that endless.
terrible night A strsngled cry es-
capped him without his knowledge:
"Sophia!"
Sophia Farrell, the woman he had
promised to wed, nay even the woman
! he loved with all his being-a half
breed, a mulatto. His mind sickened
with the horror of that thought.
His very soul seemed to shudder
and his reason cried out that the
thing could never be. Yet In
his heart Of hearts still he loved her,
still desired her with all hia strength
and will; in his heart there was no
wavering Whatever Rutton had been.
whatever has daughter might be, he
loved her. And more, the honor of
tho Ambers was in pledge. holding
him steadfast to his purpose to seek
| her out in India or wherever she
might be and to bear her away from
the unnamed danger that threatened
! her-even 10 marry her, If she would
have him. He had promised; his word
had passed; there could now be no
withdrawal
An hour elapsed. its passing rau-
cously emphasized by the tin clock.
Amber remained at the table. his head
upon It, his face hidden by his arms,
SO still that Doggott would have
thought him sleeping but for his I'M
even breathing.
/ At length the young man called