Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-09-16


| He methodicaIIy closed the book.
snapped the rubber band around It,
and returned 1t to bis pocket, whils
Jessie stared at him In blank amaze
ment.
That" Mr.. Flint pursued. his eyes
crinkling in smile. is what Mr. Ru-
J dolph Van Vechten told me at time
wnen | honestly believed you to BE-
crook"
After reciting the circumstances. he
went on:
You see. hadn't Mr.. Van vecht-
ems faith. had never seen you, and
appearances were all against you.
might say, the odds were against the
correctness Of his estimate-in which
case meant to show him these
words"
Jessie was breathing fast: her eyes
were very bright and their regard was
very steady
and If you had been wrong?" she
a5ked.
The creases at the corners of Mr..
F1int's eyes deepened
WHY. / felt that he would need a
champion. and ] determined to bring
the memorandum to you. You know
now, that from the very first, at least
one person has retained a firm belief
in the innocence and purity OF your
motives"
The two in the bay window could
see the color rush to Jessie's cheeks;
she blushed furiously
Have you" she said falteringIy.
shown this toto him."
"He doesn't even know that I pos
sess such thing"
The girls eyes were dewy. Her
voice lowered.
Then" said she, this is your way
Of telling me that all your doubts are
removed Thank you"
We'll. returned the impressive de-
tective. that's one way of looking at
the matter III Mr. RudoIph's judg-
ment had been i'm error, would just
as freely have shown the reminder to
him. /. +. Here he comes now"
Van Vechten came eagerly forward
and took the girls hands into his. Mr..
Flint slipped unobtrusively away.
Jessie Jessie Willard" said Van
Vechten, I'VE do not have to wait ths
week: I am more eager now than ever.
| understand everything. dearest"
Very deliberately she disengaged
her hands. looking at him desperately.
TRULY" she said with an evident
effort at sarcasm you seem indeed
to be very sure OF yourself"
He caught her hands again. and as
her head dropped. drew her toward
him
Sure Of myself" he exclaimed.
"Why. God bless my soul, yes! It's
all up 20 you. girl. What was
that"
h IL was Paige Carew trying--vainly
to break loose from Tom Phinney's
ecstatic bear-like hug. Swinging her
clear from the floor and between the
curtains. they stood confronting the
dumfounded gaze of the other two.
"Looky here. Ruddy." said Tom.
mir. WIZARDS got yacht on his
hands that he has no use for what
ever; what's the matter with the four
of US"
The very thing" Van vechten de-
cIsively interrupted. looking intentiy
at Jessie Willard Jessie averted her
gaze. and her color mounted again.
And listen here" Tom went on Gag
erly "She's all ready to put to sea
steam's up this minute-supplIes all
on board--crew's drawing pay for loaf
ing-why. Moses and green spec
taelesl It would be an outrage not to
take advantage OF such an opportuni-
ty! What do you Think"
What otherwise could Paige and
Jessie think? Here was an argu.
ment that even a woman could not
successfully oppose. And so. the next
day. the Kohinar weighed anchor.
dropped down the river. and by sun
set had lost the Statue of Liberty be-
hind her.
THE END.
"a. sA s..eAs.