Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-05-06

lincongruous party. He tripped over
obstructions and spIashed through
puddles, and now and then stepped
unwittingly Into depressions with q
Jar that clicked his teeth together
and wrenched his neck until his head
ached Round and round his captors
seemed to be leading him-they had
long ago turned aside from the road.
he was positive; his brain whirled
and he staggered drunkenly. Only
once did he attempt resistance. and
stopped abruptly when his helpless
condition demonstrated the futility OF
any such move on his part.
The wind had died down, but the
rain still poured torrent and the
thunder rumbled and rolled so that
all the night was full Of the sound
After what seemed an interminable
time, Toms feet collfded, with a hol-
low reverberation. against a wooden
step. He mounted three OF them, and
in an instant was out OF the rain and
storm. He surmised that he was upon
porch, and next that he was being
conducted through a doorway into a
house.
A sudden feminine scream, half
suppressed, startled him. Then
girls agitated voice-and most re-
markedly sweet voice. it seemed to
Tom-said:
John! What has happened? Who's
this?"
And Calls replied: Don't be fright
ened, Miss Jessie. Where's your
father?"
Miss Jessie did not answer thia
question. 1t seemed to Tom that
number Of people had crowded into
the hall during this brief colloquy.
He heard a rustling of feminine
dresses and excited feminine whisper
ings. denoting that at least two wom-
en- were talking nearby. Then Calls
commanded the other two of his cap
tors to hold him tight" as II they
were not doing so already. After this
he sensed that Calls moved away
from him. and he remained standing.
as sodden as a drowned man. while
the water trickled from his clothes
and onto the floor.
Manifestly he was being made the
subject OF quite lively debate, which
came TO sudden end when Calls ad-
dressed him.
Say. you. who are you? What's
your manner"
Damn you'll" leaped hotly from
Toms lips. Free my hands and I'll
print 1t on your face. you dogl"
Here! None OF that" another
masculine voice warned sharply.
There are ladies' here"
They're in deuced poor company"
snarled Tom.
Gag him." Calls briefly command
ed. Here. take this"
But there was an interruption. Tom
heard a girls voice-not Jessie's, who
ever Jessie might be. but one infinite
ly sweeter, say: Wait" The request
was made composedly. And then
Tom fancied that the SWEET voices
owner was approaching him. Next
second he was sure of it.
viii you not tell us who you are
and why you were following Mr..
Callis?"
Toms sole concern at that moment
was profound regret that he could
not see the speaker. Her voice was
so sweet so soft and well-bred, that
he knew she must be beautiful.
Il would be only too glad to tell
you" Tom returned. IF 1t would not
at the same time give some satisfac-
ton to the thugs and hold-up crooks
who are present. Please pardon me-
in the circumstances"
There was silent pause, then a
gasp from the girl.
1T can't BET" he heard her exclaim
in a whisper that was fairly alive
with establishment.
It did not occur to Tom to wonder
what she meant
also in whisper. Wont you release
me?-or at least remove this ban
dagger"
No reply was vouchsafed him, no
further speech from the pulse-disturb-
ing voice. In the soft. silky susurra-
ton OF her skirts there was a quality
that signitied grace and lightness OF
carriage; in the faint. exquisite fra
GRANGE of her presence a something
that rose to his head with the subtle
intoxication of ether. She had left
him
He heard Jessie. in a subdued voice.
ask: What did he say to you?"
Whether or not the other girl re-
sponded he did not know. The situa-
ton was brought to am abrupt close
by the man called Calls.
Take him upstairs" that worthy
gruttly ordered-"the front room. You
may take OF the bandage after he's in
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