Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-06-03


the narrative. which he foIlos I'd
thenceforward to the end with a con
ception that inspired Tom to genuine
eloquence.
At the close Of the recital Van vech-
ten remained long time absorbed in
thought.
ITO think" he said finally, that
you-of all persons-should have blum
derec into an adventure like thati
But, Tommy. 1t is unfortunate that you
pledged yourself not to hunt for the
house. ! suppose 1t occurred to you
that these people are the same who
occupied thirteen-thirteen?
Tom nodded.
Then listen to this Van vechted
pursued During your absence, Paige's
silence has assumed really disquiet-
ing aspect; | am now deeply con-
cerned about her-eyen now am await
ing replies to dozen or more cable
grams l sent off this morning. Her
gold purse was found yesterday in that
house"
His friend stared at him blankly.
How the dickens did it get there -
he exclaimed.
ITO be sure. And what has hap
pened to my cousin? Those are two
questions that / am extremely anx-
ious TO have answered as soon as pos
sible; questions that must be an
swered, in fact. Do you not SEE how
your promise to the unidentified young
lady has tied our hands at a vital mo-
ment?
you said that the girl who conduct
ed you from the Rocky Cove house. in
timated that you might indeed see her
--soon--under some strange condi-
tons. Have you any idea what she
meant?"
mot the least" replied Tom; "only
wish did. But she was mighty seri-
Gus and solemn about it, / can tell you
that"
After much more consideration of
the difficulties confronting them, Van
Vechten offered the following pro-
posal:
Although you are bound not to
search for the Rocky Cove house, am
not under any such restraint. There
is no reason why Flint and l should
not run over there and have a try at
IT,"
Rudy, / can't stand for It." Tom
quietly. but none the less firmly, OBJ
jected
Look here. Tom" Van Vechten all
at once grew very grave, and there
was new tone in his voice that
caught Toms attention. 81 am as In
terested in one of those girls as you
are in the other. Perhaps "-hesitant-
1--WE are both interested in the
same one"
This was the most astonishing dis
closure that Tom had yet heard.
Your" he almost shouted his
amazement.
Van Vechten nodded. 81 saw her in
the crowd at the alley, Sunday, and
again at window across the street
while we were returning here. Whe h
er she is the girl in the dark or Jessie,
do not know; but"
Describe her." Tom eagerly inter
rupted,
"She is slender, her hair and eyes
are dark. She is very beautiful"
But Tom was emphatically shaking
his head "That-except for the beau
tiful part of it--could not be the girl
who came TO me in the dark l don't
know why l know it, but l do. But
go on with what you started to say"
Il was going to say that ] am con-
fident of this girls innocence of any
wrongdoing. or even a suspicion of
wrongdoing. Such being The case. no
harm can befall either of them from
anything Flint and | do.
It's the sandy-haired chap that
want to get at; / suspect he's the
handspring of the whole affair, and in
dubitably Flint thinks so too. Flint'S
a pretty clever chap; / respect him
more every time We talk. believe he
is thoroughly dependable.
AT any rate il that hulking bruiser
knows anything about Paige, he must
be made to tell it, Flint can do what
ever he pleases with regard to the
murder"
Their talk wandered far into the
realm of speculation. carrying them
over the luncheon hour and back to
their seats in the lounge IL was profit
less. and the entry of messenger
with sheat OF cablegrams for Van
Vechten came as welcome diversion.
although anticipation lent the Incl
dent an unwoated excitement
CTO BE CONTINUEDO
Had Cleaned IL.