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

land. He chuckied 10 think how lucl
Ms showing him her cards; Rudy
doubtless, was still racking biz
brains and sitting in town.
Without an instant's hesitation, oil
thought of the storm which was
about to break. he set out after the
fellow. He neglected to observe ever
the ordinary precaution of glance
around. II he had. the nights adveh
ture might have terminated differ
emily.
He would have beheId, for one
thing, two other of the motor-boat's
occupants. farther in the rear. walk
ing in the same direction-two ath.
letic young men laden with bundles
OF various sizes and shapes. AS II
was, they on their part instantly de
tected Toms interest ia the first man,
and also the obvious fact that he had
started out to follow him.
The, at once ceased their low
voiced conversation, and devoted all
their attention to Tom Phinney.
Thus the little procession advanced
In silence. on through the town and
into the open country.
As soon as the last Of the fringe
OF houses was passed, the twain Ia
the rear quickened their pace, moV-
| ing closer to Tom. The loose sand
underfoot. and the now almost con-
tinual crash and rumble of thunder
overhead, effectively drowned out all
other sounds.
The sole warning Tom bad that
matters we're not progressing as sat
isfactorily as he had fancied. came
with the first gust OF hot, dustladen
wind. A sudden shout directly in hiS
rear startled him from his ABSORB.
ton.
Mr. Callis!" exploded a voice
"Herel Quick!"
Just as he pivoted round, there
came a dazzling fash and a deafen-
ing Grassland then the deluge. He
received an instantaneous picture OF
two stalwart figures tossing a burden
Of packages to the ground. and then
in the ensuing blindness he was
seized by violent hands.
Now Tom was himself man of
mighty sinew and well-versed not
only in tho science of defending him.
self, but Of pushing war into the en-
emys camp. For minute or two
he made brave fight; but what avail
eth mans stoutness OF heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
viduals nearly. II not quite. so strong
as he?
The spirited struggle ended with
Tom lying fiat upon his back in the
middle of the road. his three antago-
nists piled Unfortunately on top OF
him and painting for breath. while a
cataract of rain pounded upon the
just and the unjust alike. The wind
whistled and shrieked, the thunder
doomed and crashed and split tie
night. ard the lightning Illuminated
the whole scene with a CHASTITY sem
blance of daylight.
At last the one called Callis--the
sandy. man-moved sud
denly to his knees, but without re-
leasing rs grip upon the well-nirh
drowned captlve--a posture decidedly
uncomfortable for Tom. for the boliy
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duffer." Calls shouted
above the uproar. while / knc, to-
gether couple of handkercb.efs. II
he makes move bat him over the
head Then came lower-voiced ad-
dendum which Tom alone caught: q
don't know but what we ought 20 do
1t anyhow"
The other two shifted their posi-.
tions SO adroitly that Tom could not
stir. Another binding flash, and an
exclamation from the man kneelIng
upon his arms.
by eripes, Mr.. Calls, It's the fel.
low We passed in the sailhoati"
THE deyill exclaimed Calls, who
seemed to be the one in au hority
THAT settles his hash. Wen just
take him TO the old man"
Then Tom wac unceremonlousiy
rolled over upon his face, his arms
ierked rudely back and held securely
while his wrists were tied tightly to
gether Next he was lifted to hi,
feet. the powerful grasp on either arm
never relaxing in the slightest degree
and waa so held while third hand
kerchief was found over his eyes.
He did not submit tamely TO thes,
| indignities. but as his opposition wa.
confined to angry curses and threats
il was worse than futile. He sputtere,
and TUNED and swore until Calls in
terrupted him.
III you don't cut that out" he an
nouDced with an air OF hnality. III
gag YOU"
And Tom perforce fen silent
though he continued to see,he an,
rage inwardly.
March, you.' ordered Calilss cur
voice. the command being emphasize,
by vigorous push that sent hia
stumbling heiplessly forward. Nh
firm hands held him. however. and h
moved through the tempest ard IN
night under their guiding impulse.
To Tom the adventure was takin
ON the aspect OF nightmare. Al
sense OF direction was lost: not at
other word was spoken by any Of tn
rTt..s t,,sg.x.-o ,N,e r...E -. - -