Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-01-01

Yours gratefully,
Il. de v"
After [ had read il / glanced at the
bearer, a young, MISUNDERSTANDING
man
With a slight tremor In his voice, he
said:
q am in great trouble"
4 see you are" / replied: and /
near you are English. What brings
you here?"
He paused an instant, and. passing
his hand across his forehead. re-
peated:
4 am In great trouble"
With a gesture. as II anxious TO
throw off his secret, be continued:
MY name is Allen B.. and my
father is one OF the largest colliery
owners in the north of England. Six
months ago came to Paris to study
painting"
Again he paused, staring at me.
Then suddenly be asked.
DO look like swindler--a sharp
erT
No: you do not. Why do you ask"
because O fortnight ago | rose In
The morning with an untarnished rep
utation, and. although had commit
ted no wrong whatever. went to bed
q dlsgraced man"
He was laboring under strong emo
kion and as he remained silent,
saId:
Tell me what has occurred"
IT fell upon me like thunderbolt.
a. the house Of Madame J., where
used to go once a week for game
of cards. was playing piquet, In
the smoking room, with young fell
low called Bernard 2, and had
won the first game We had Just be-
gun the third. when Bernard jumped
up and shrieked:
81 have caught you at last. You
are cheating
The men at the other tables crowd
ed around us, and Madame J., her
daughter Genevieye. and their guests
came running IN from the adjoining
drawing room attracted by the noise.
Il had grasped Bernard by the
throat. calling out, Retract what you
said. you villain. or / will kill youl'
They dragged him away from me.
J1e was as white as a sheet, and the
moment he had caught his breath. he
shook his fist at me, and bawled
You say you'll kin me? You want
me 20 retraet? / tell you. you are
cheat dirty cheat! Gentlemen ask
him 10 empty BIS pockets, here be.
fore YOU, and you'll see whether i am
right"
Z put my hands in the pockets of
my smoking jacket, and pulled out
dozen cards cornerbent. like those
used by professional sharpers
There was a moment of silence,
and then the vlscgmte de 81. --- said
10 ME This . very serious affair
Have you any explanation to offer?'
Then The horror OF my situation
came upon me ! tried to rush at
bernard, but they laid hold Of me.
Frantic with rage, | shook them OFF.
ITS a liel It's lien | shouted.
Gentlemen. this fellow. or some other
ecoundFel, has--heaveus knows Why
slipped these cards into my pocket
II Is flendish trick some one has
played. and ! call upon those hero who
know me 10 help TO unmask the cow
ard who did itl'
They looked at me in silence. and
after whispered consultation. the Wis.
connie de ST ---- spoke again:
Mr.. B. / think 1t win be best If
you and NJ. Bernard t. withdraw
for se% minutes to elbow lis to dis
cuss this matter. and decide on the
course to take
Bernard went upstairs to Madame's
bondolr. and | to the drawing ROOM.
where l found Mademolselle Genevleve
alone For while she took no notice
oil me rs ! neryously paced mp and
down the room. but when stopped she
remarked In a soft voice.
Monsieur Alien, am sure you are
innocent
Il pressed her hand.
God bless you, Mademoiselle Gene
We've; shall never forget your conf
dence In me. But, since you do not
doubt me. / implore YOU TO tell me
whether you have any suspicion. any
1dea, as to who could have laid this
srop for me-?
She thought moment. and then re-
piled:
No Monsieur Allen, have not the
faintest idea wish could help
You
she looked up, and / could read in
her eyes that she had spoken the
truth,
AT that instant gentleman asked
me 70 come into the next room, where
abe Vicomte de ST, ~--- addressed me
as follows:
Having been the unwilling wit
nesses of this affair. we consider
st our duty as gentlemen and
men OF the world. to prevent any un-
necessary scandal NJ Bernard T
mas accused you OF playing unfairly.
which you deny Marked cards Nave
been found in your pockets, and your
explanation is that some one had
placed them there We now have
pledged ourselves not 20 diyulge what
has occurred here this evening. so as
TO give you time 10 refute this charge
You can rely on our absolute discre-
tion; and call upon NJ. Bernard T
TO promise us not to breathe a word
about this 10 any one
'T give you my word, SAID Der,
nard
His wordt' | exclaimed: how much
do yon think II is worth? Gentlemen,