Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-04-15
BOOK |.
CHAPTER II-con,Inusd.

First of all. Van Vechten was struck
by this coincidence. Even before In
ventorying the mans semblance, he
asked himself how many had preceded
him; how many we're yet TO come. And
how did they time their arrival 30
nicely?
There had been something furtive
about the second fellows admittance,
Van Vechten recalled; not particularly
on the mans part, but suggested rath-
er by the narrow crack which the open
door at iirst disclosed, making one
think that the chain had not been re-
feased until after pariey And then
the aperture had widened only enough
tor the visitor to squeeze his bulk
through, whereupon the door had
promptly banged shut Van vechten
retained merely sense OF absolute
darkness beyond the threshold; not
the slightest glimpse had he caught
of servant or attendant. The door
might have been tended by invisible
hands.
Again he asked himself: Would the
The walt between ten and eleven
O'Clock dragged with most exasperat.
ing slowness; but the selfappolnted
watchers interest was at such high
pitch that he left his third cocktail un.
tasted
As the hour approached, he darted
quick glances along the street In an.
ucipaton OF a new arrival. And sure
enough, at a minute or two before the
hour. here came third muscular. reso-
tute-looking young man, not over-fas-
ddiousiy attired. who was scanning
che house numbers as intently as his
two predecessors had done.
And just as the chimes in the hall
began tolling eleven, be mounted the
steps and rang the bell.
Van Vechten scarcely breathed. so
tntenuy was be following the proceed
ings across the street. AS before. the
door was opened perhaps an inch,
brief colloquy patiently ensued, then
the gap widened barely enough for the
young man TO squeeze through. And
also as before, the door was slammed
without Van Vechten obtaining the
least glimpse of whatever mysteries
might lie beyond.
by now he was taking account of
time only with reference to Number
1913. He was In such state OF mind
that he forgot that he was tired and
sleepy, or that no ever had been bored
Other club membership few unfor
tunates anchored to tho clty--were be-
ginning to drop in, but Van vechten
was too intent TO give any of them
particular notice until Tom Phlnney
arrived
1t wss impossible TO ignore Tom
Phinney. Not that Van vechten want
ed to. because he dida't--as a rule.
Their friendship antedated their col.
lege days; which was odd enough IL
one cared to sum up the differences
between their two characters. Tom
Phinney, never celebrated for his wit.
was once Inspired 10 epigram by an
appreciation OF these tempermental
dissimilarities. and as his utterance ia
not without pith It Is worth quoting.
He confided TO his right-hand neigh.
Dor at certain formal dinner: ''Rud.
dy not only belongs to a half of the
world that's not wise to how the other
half lives. but it's the half that doesn't
care a rap and would be tired to death
n you tried to tell it,
With lazy lifting OF one slender
hand, Van Vechton arrested Phinneys
noisy progress across tho lounEing.
room. As soon as Tom comprehended
who was hailing him. his good.hu.
mored expression died away with com
teal rapidly, look of mingled amaze
uient and alarm taking it's place
"Moses and green spectacles!" he
soiced in establishment you, Out
OF bed this time of day? Sunday. tool"
He hurried to bis friends side and ex.
amined him critically.
Seen doctor yet? You'd better II
you're not able I'll go fetch old Pottle
sleeps here. you know"
These remarks were ignored
Draw up chair" was the response
mo, not that stuffy one: IL makes
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