Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-04-29

ception and Ter family and friends had
every reason to expect her? There
was one consolation in the absence OF
those friends from town; he was not
obliged TO invent answers to embar-
RAISING inquiries concerning his dila-
tory cousin. But this was small com
pensation for stewing in New York by
himself until Paige chose to notify him
of her whereabouts and intended move
ments. He gave one moment OF sober
thought TO the circumstance that he
really did not know precisely where
she was: If some sudden emergency
should arise necessitating q cable he
would not know where to reach her.
But he speedily dismissed this phase
of the matter; II was no new thing
| for Paige to start of on a holiday
jaunt without confiding her proposed
| itinerary TO anybody, and new Mrs.
Devereaux was with her.
Just the same" he unused. IF l
knew where to catch her. would send
her a cable that would set her to
guessing for a while"
Unable longer to remain Quiescent,
he bounded from his chair and collid-
ed with Alexander, who was seeking
| him in his corner-an accident that
did not affect the pages accustomed
composure in the least.
Gentleman to see you, sir" Alex.
ander announced.
WHO is it?" Van vechten snapped
irritably. Il don't want to see any
body"
He paused Didn't he? Alexander
had not presented card. but whoever
the caller might be he signiied di-
version. II he tried any longer to
think he would be a raving lunatic in
another hour. And, besides. something
had destroyed the sevor Of the sole
pleasurable aspect Of his meditations.
Alexander resolved his doubts. He
caught knowing look In the pages
eountenance.
Begin your pardon. Mr. Van
Vechtt think you'd want to see
this gentleman"
VERY we'll" Van veehten weariedly
aequiesced "Show him in"
He did not know the man who imme-
diately followed Alexander into the
lounging-room. The stranger was I'M
der medium height, slender and I'M
assuming I'm appearance, but carried
himself with certain quiet assurance
that commanded attention. He was
as gray as badger, and his lean.
smooth-shaven face resembled fooled
leather
There was a conspicuously alert
look about his steady gray eyes. Van
vechten also noted. which presently
disclosed habit of narrowing and re-
vealing a web Of fine wrinkles at their
corners. This single change Of facial
muscles. Van Vechten soon learned to |
recognize, possessed the popularity of |
indicating one OF two moods--concen- |
tration upon the matter in hand, or
else smiling humor that made one
warm to him. Van Vechten felt that
his visitor would be chary of speech, |
but that whatever he might say would |
be well worth hardening to.
Mr. Rudolph Van Vechten?" now |
queried the newcomer IN a tone that |
could not have carried yard beyond |
the person to whom II was addressed |
Van Vechtep nodded and motioned to !
chair.
MY name" he acknowledged. And,
with q wry mouth. you are a dsiec-
tive. might have expected it--but
didn't"
Instantly the steady eyes contracted
and wrlnkled at the corners The
young man all at once discovered that
his irritation was evaporating. and
that he could smile in sympathy with
his visitor.
Said the quiet voice: Il am glad to
know that my estimate of your intelli-
gence was not at fault. Flint is my
name-Phineas Flint--from Central
Office"
Considering that you have never
seen me before. Mr.. Flint Van veeh-
ten lightly retorted. "it is rather ex-
traordinary that you should possess
any particulars upon which to base
an estimate of my intelligence"
TIE steady. smiling regard still met
the young mans.
I'm demonstrate just how simple a
matter it is--if you have pardoned this
intrusion ?"
The listener nodded. His attention
was already won.
Have you any idea how the poor
chap met his death?" he queried
Yes" was the prompt reply. HE
was struck over the head with some
kind OF blunt instrument. II is pretty
certain that only one of the blows
the one on the temple-could have
proved fatal; the other--right behind
the left ear-might have stunned him
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