Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-10-11

me-"
His eyes met the girls. and in hers
he read trust and faith Intending: he
was conscious of a curious futterins
in his bosom.
Trust you!" she said, with a little,
broken laugh. and gave herself freely
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned his
back, wading out into the stream with
great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding her
very close to him. and that with ease.
Had she been thrice as heavy he could
have borne her with as little care as he
did his own UNNECESSARILY lightened
heart In that hour Of fulfillnrent. The
further bank reared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
proiong the stolen sweetness Of that
moment. forgetful altogether Of the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon a shelving shore and, shaking his
legs with an effort irresistibly sug-
gestive of a dog leaving the water,
peer inland through the tamarisks. His
low, whistled signal sounded as Am.
Der Joined him and put down the girl
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
we're interrupted by an exclamation
from Labertouche.
Hang it all! he can't have mistaken
the spot I told him to wait right
here, and now = We daren't de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
lie shoNldered way through the
thicket, and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering I'M
dergrowth, their passage betrayed by
much noisy rustling. Then, rs they
won through to open ground, Laber-
touche paused and whistled second
time, staring eagerly from right to left,
I'm blessed" he declared. with a
vehemence that argued his desire for
stronger language. This is bad--bad
bad! He never failed me before!
T."
~ uAOCh4Al6 CAaaChAO OCOAACo ~ - ~~-A'
from the ground at their feet, and In
the flicker of an eyelash shadow
lifted up out Of the scrub
level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm
Labertouche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her
drawing his revolver, heartsick with
the conviction that they were trapped
that their labor had gone all for
naught, that all futilely had they
schemed and dared
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was Joined
by score of fellows-shades that ma
terialized with the swiftness and ST
| lence from the surface of the earth
and before he could level the weapon
Labertouche seized his wrist. For al
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment: but the Englishman was
| cool, strong, determined; inevitably
in the outcome the weapon was point
ed TO the sky
STEADY. you asst" breathed the Sc
cret agent in his ear. f'Can't you
| see"
And Amber gave over, in amaze
ment unbounded, seeing the starlight
glinting down a dozen leveled rifle
barrels, glowing pale on the spiked
rounded crowns Of pith helmets, and
striking soft fire from Furnished &C
coutrements; while voice, thick with
a brogue that was never bred out oil
hearing of Bow Bells, was hectoring
them to surrender.
lands up, ye bloomin' black beg
gars! 'Ands up, sgt"
"Tommies!" cried Amber; and in
continently he dropped the revolver
as though 1t had turned hot in his
hand
STEADY. my mani" Labertouche IN
terrupted what threatened to develop
into a string of intolerable abuse
Hold your tonguel Can't you see
we've lady with us?"
"Ul-loi" The soldier lowered HIS
rife and stepped closer, his voice vi
brating with establishment. "Blimme
ere's 9 60! beggar OF a mig.
ger givin' me wotfor Is If e was q
gentl 90 in ell dye think y'are, yer
ighness?"
"That'll do. Put down those guns,
and call your commanding officer. I'll
explain to him Where is he? What
troops are you? When did you ar
riye?"
What's this2" A sharp voice cut
the comments of the Tommies, and
thay were smitten silent by 1t. An Of
hc n, with jingling spurs and sword
In hand. eelbowed through the heart
of the presJ. stop that row instantly.
What's this? Who are you, sir?"
Il sent the message from Kathiapur,
and I'm uncommonly happy to meet
you, whoever you may be. sir. Tell
VI If men to fall back. please, and III
introduce myself properly"
Two words secured the secret agent
the privacy he desired: the officer Of
fered him an ungloved hand as the
troopers withdrew out of hearing.
Happy. indeed" he said cheerfully.
I'm Rowan, captain, Fourt snth pio-
neers"
I'm Labert ouche, l. S. s. This is
Miss Farrell. daughter of Colonel Far
rell, and this Mr.. Amber OF New York.
We've just escaped from that rock
over there and-if you'll pardon--rd
suggest you set a strong guard over
the ford behind those tamarisks."
"One moment, please" The officer
strobe of to issue instructions in ac-
cordance with LabeItouche's advice.