Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-07-02

"Eh?" he muttered, and before my
lady could prevent him, if she had
been mindful so to do, walked quickly
forward; but as he advanced, white
figure stepped boldly out from behind
that partis screen. With a sharp ex-
clamation, which found a startled
echo from the girl. the Governor
stopped; stepped back as far as the
table.
What mummery is this?" His lips
shaped the words uncertainty; his
hand, reaching out with that first
startled instinct of danger, touched
the bell.
Your Ladyship rang?" On the OPP
posite side Of the room was the door
thrown suddenly open. The look of
expectancy on the face of the COM
mandant. who had so promptly APP
peared, gave way to one of surprise;
CONSERVATION. His Exceliencyi" he
muttered. and mechanically saluted
Over the Governors visage a faint
trace of relief fitted: dryly he looked
from the mountebank. now erect and
rsotionless, to the girl; but the face
was averted and his Excellency could
not see the sudden wilderness of her
cheek; again he regarded the officer
You answer our summons with
alacrity," he observed to this last sub
ject of his scrutiny.
The commandant redeemed. z
your Excellency-the truth is, was
waiting without, at the door"
What you have just stated" re-
turned the Governor. us patent; what
should like to know. however, with
subtle change of tone, lis why you
were stationed there"
40 take this mountebank player
away. when it pleased her Ladyship
to-"
Yes; to take him awayi" interrupt
ed the lady in hurried tones. the agi-
tation of which she strove to conceal.
And l was about to call him, when"
The Governor continued to address
the commandant. You brought him
here?" incisively.
Yes; your Excellency; stupid
iellow we arrested for making trouble
with his dolls. and--but with her L.
dyship's permission" awkwardiy
turning to the Governors daughter. Il
will explain"
To this the girl. however, made no
answer; as If fascinated, watched
them, the eommandant, her father. the
still, white figure at one side-not far
away!
Il think" the Governor spoke soft
ly, you will do that, anyway"
Exactly. your Excelleney! 1t hap
pened in this WISE and not without
evidence of constraint and hesitation,
the officer slowly related the story of
the disturbance on the platform; the
taking into custody of the rogues and
knaves, and my lady's interest in the
vagabond clown whose play had oc-
easioned the riot.
Because it was seditious, designed
to set authority at naught?" interrupt.
ed the listener, grimly eyeing for an
instant the motonless form of the
mountebaHk.
ION the contrary, your Excellency!"
quickly Her Ladyship assured me it
was the loyal ard faithful sentiments
of the play that caused the unrIiy
Resolutions to make trouble, and that
the clown deserved no punishment be
cause he had intended no mischief
Her Ladyship?" The Governors
brows went suddenly up. How he
asked at length in a voice yet softer.
should her Ladyship have known
about the loyal and faithful senu.
ments of a piece given in the town,
before a crowd of brawlers?"
Because / was a spectator" said
his daughter, a red spot now on nor
cheek: changing lights in her eyes.
"A spectator" repeated, in mild
surprise. the Governor.
q win explain-after!" she added
in tones, low, constrained
Hunt" His Exeelleneys glance
swept to the commandant
ITO BE CONTINUED