Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-07-09

the armyt" And throwing of his coat.
as ready for bout at dsticuns as for
an encounter Of words, the soldier
confronted the clown. When I'm
done, you'll sing that song Of the stick
out OF the other side OF the mouth.
and think your wicked peasant re-
ceiyed eoGdling from his master in
comparison!"
But the mountebank did not answer
with words-and the soldier was
still threatening. and painting dire
prophetic pictures CT what he intend
ed doing, when a strong arm closed
about him; fingers like iron gripped
his throat. and, for some moments
thereafter, although of unusual size
and yigor, the man was more con-
cerned in keeping his feet than in
searching his vocabulary for pictur-
esque imagery. Then, in spite of his
struggles and best endeavors TO free
himself. he felt his head forced back
wards; the grasp on his neck tight
ened. Still he could not shake of that
deadly hold, and, aware that conscious
ness was gradually leaving him, his
efforts relaxed. After that, for an in
terval, he remembered nothing; but
with returning realization and a vague
sense of stiffness In his throat. in a
rough sort OF way was prepared to ac-
cept defeat; acknowledge the others
supremacy, and seal that acknowledg.
ment over the bottle.
Only the mountebank afforded him
no opportunity thus to toast the best
man" with a long strap Of leather
snatched from one Of the pegs. he had
already bound the hands and feet OF
his bulky antagonist, and was just ris-
ing to survey his handiworlT, when the
other opened his eyes.
"Herel What do you mean?" ex-
claimed the soldier, when even the
power vocally to express further sur.
prise or indignation was denied him.
In consequence of something soft be-
ing thrust between his teeth; and
mute, helpless, he could but express
In looks the disguised inquiry his lips
refused to frame.
NO; it's no joke" answered the
mountebank, rapidly passing an end
of the strap. binding the soldier. about
post of the stall and securing it,
sailor-wise. "A poor return for hos.
pitality, yet needs must, when the
devil drivesl" quickly selling a hand
full of marsh grass from the ground
and rubbing 1t over his face. ANY.
how, you'll be none the worse on the
morrow" stepping toward the lantern,
while Who can say? He laughs
best" About to blow out the fame,
he stopped, attracted by something his
foot had thrust aside; a garment; the
soldiers! A moment he surveyed 1t;
stopped; picked 1t up. Unless am
mistaken" casting aside his own coat.
slipping on that Of the soldier, and
then donning the latter's cap. which
had fallen in the struggle, I'VE are
about Of size. And this sword" I'M
fastening the belt from the PROSTATE
jailer. Should go with the coat" A
moment his words, tense, reckless,
continued to vibrate in the soldiers
ears, then: 'I'n leave you the lam
tern!" And darkness fell over the
place.
Boldly, little uncertainty, as the
soldier had walked, the mountebank.
now. to all appearance. a man of the
ranks'in the sevvice Of his Excelsency.
the Governor, strobe down the wide.
stone-payed way separating the out
houses from the officers quarters. hard
against the ramparts. In the sky's
dome the stars still shone, although
small notified patch Of cloud obscured
the moon; on either side no lights APP
peared in windows. and friendly shad-
ows favored him, until he approached
at the end OF the way the broad. open
entrance between the soldiers bar
racks and the officers row. There. set
in stone above the key Of the time
worn arch. fiared a smoky lamp, dimly
revealing the surrounding details; but
the young man did not stop; had
drawn quite close to the medieval
structure, when Unexpectedly another
tread, on the soldiers side of the
entrance. mingled with his own; rang
for moment in unison: then jingied
out of time. Ps who approached
came to sudden standstill; cast a
quick glance over his shoulder, only
to be brought TO an abrupt realization
that it was now too late to retreat A
black silhouette, suddenly precipitated
across the pavement. preceded a dark
figure that stepped quickly out and
barred the way, while at the same
time. voice. loud and incisive. chas
lenged.
GRO BE CONTINUED