Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-04-15

i an accOunt OF the mornings happen
ings. But, after all. he was no more
myst,fed than the narrator.
He was. however. all at once in
spired.
Il have it," he impetuously an
nounced. Let's hurry and eat-I'm
not hungry now. anyway. What say
TO me walking up and ringing the bell
at one o'clock"
But Van Vechten's comment was not
encouraging.
Crude" was his word. Il fear you
viii never learn anything beyond
squash. yachts and polo ponies. Those
men are not wandering blindly into
the house; the indications all point to
a prearranged meeting. They may be
she tenants themselves; some sort of
secret society"
"Anarchistsi" Tom yelled. A thought
had but to enter his head to emerge
at HIS mouth. The other two diners
looked up, startled; but perceiving the
source of the outburst. they returned
TO their meals with expressions OF pa
tient endurance.
Yes, anarchists" Van Vechten
agreed; even SO. And you would
have nice. pleasant time getting in
-or, once In, getting out again"
"Oh. well, we might try breaking in
after dark--jimmy. you know. and all
that sort Of thing" sarcasm which
was frankly ignored.
ut has occurred to me-" pursued
Van yechten, picking daintily at his
omelette souffie. that person who
has been at such pains to keep his
identity hidden from the rest of the
world, is stimulated TO do so by some
powerful motive II he is a person OF
intelligence II will be no light matter
penetrating his secret; 1t might be
dangerous for the meddler. And it is
no business OF ours"
"Ratsi" Tom Phinney exploded in
disgust You're losing interest al
ready"
The other elevated his brows and
leaned comfortably back in his chair.
Tommy" he returned weariedly,
Il am willing to try anything-once.
take see through to the end. what
ever that end may be. Just now /
am too depressed by this uncertainty
about Paige-not to mention its dis
agreeable consequences-to become In
terested In anything"
TT is deuced queer you don't hear
from her. isn't it?" Tom felt called
upon to show a polite concern.
His friend sighed. Since my cousin
IL woman" he said, queer is not
the word. Her disregard for my and
Uncle Theodore's plans is just what
might have been expected; II is SO
thoroughly feminine. as you would
know well enough II you had will
full, pretty cousin like Paige. But by
the same token am no more resigned
to sit twiddling my thumbs In this
bake-oven OF a town until she chooses
to come home-or at least let me know
about when to look for ber."
Just the same" insisted Tom. III
she was my cousin I'd be worrying"
Il am, Tommy--for myself. though;
not for her. But | was going
to say that we would better let this
matter drop; the affair is none of
ours"
But Tom Phinney. once his head
was set. was not easily turned aside.
mo telling what devilish conspiracy
is afoot. Rudy" he urged; ats our
duty as good citizens to interfere II
we have some reason to think that"
"Slushl" remarked Mr.. Van Veeh-
ten without feeling. Il am not good
citizen. According to Paige, belong
to the least desirable class of all--the
spenders, the MASTERS OF substance.
And toll not. neither do / spin"
Ton snorted his disgust at such SEN
timents.
What buffers girls are!" declared
he from the lofty height of twenty-five
years accumulated wisdom. TN bet
Miss Carew don't believe any such rot
as that. Can't man do as he pleases
with his own money!"
She says not A mans money Is
not his own; he 10 merely holding 1t In
trust"
Tom. however, had never met Paige
Carew, who had lived most OF her
twenty years abroad, and he had no
more tolerance for her opinion than
he had for anybody elseis that did not
agree with his.
They may be plotting to rob
bank" he abruptly bent the talk back
to the paramount topic.
Van vechten regarded him with
far-away look.
"Or starting dramatic school," he
added, "or condemning vlvisection or
woman suffrage, or something equally
CHASTITY. Drop 1t. Tom: that's my ad-
vice. Sitting comfortably at a window
and waiting for whatever surprises our
House OF Mystery may have to dis
close, is one thing; actively interfering
with something that does not In the
least concern us. is quite another. II
there really Is any mystery. and il is
to be dealt with at all. It calls for a
thin, keen blade, not bludgeon."
If that's some OF your pink.tea wit"
growled Tom, "a bludgeon is a michty
good thing to have when you are deal
ing with crooks"
"Doubtless-wheu the crooks do not
fight with rapiera Ill give you
chance to break sven; you don't want
TO owe me hundred. l SUPPOSED"