Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-01-20

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That goes double here" his COM
panion rejoinei- And the way
see it, I've got { right to do all the
cussing at this tuncture Of our hero's
foolish. but fascinating adventures.
I'm the injured party-it was my boat.
and now it's gone. I'm broke for fair.
Geel" he pursued vindietiyely.
"Oh. let up, can't you!" Mr.. Law
exclaimed peevishly. I'm sorrier than
you are-and after all. it's my loss;
I've got to buy you another boat All
you've lost is your temper"
And my susceptibility to the charms
OF the wen-known SEX" Mr. Barcus
corrected. Nothing can ever restore
my lost faith In gentle woman's gentle
ness. When you brought that young
woman aboard thought butter
wouldn't melt In her mouth, and for a
while actually contemplated doing
her the kindness OF tipping you over
into the drink, SOS she could lavish
her tender affections on q regular guy.
someone able to appreciate her-mean-
ing me. of course. And first thing
know, she ups and points gun at my
head and tips me overheard, and then
makes pretty bonfire out Of my
sailboat And all the excuse you can
produce is that she's crazy in the
headl Well, who said she wasn't?
ANY woman who would consent to
elope with you is a fit subject for a
commission de lunatico inquirendo. all
right"
''If you inflicted any such monologue
as that on Judith" retorted Mr.. Law,
Il don't blame her for trying to slay
you, and I'm sorry interfered"
There's gratitude for you!" Mr..
Barcus remarked bitterly. 81 risk my
life for you. and you won't even let
me talk about I'll"
1T isn't your talking / mind-its
the everlasting noise you make Mr.
Law explained. Besides-listeni"
For moment the two maintained
attentive silence
A silken whisper troubled the T.
lence. little flutter of sound from far
across the waters. Gradually It gath
cred volume, became recognizable as
the lisp of cautious oars
I'm going away from here" Mr.
Barcus announced guardedly, and gath
cred his legs under him preparatory
to rising.
Half a second" Alan Law insisted,
rising in turn and grasping the other
by the arm. They've got to land
haven't they?-and leave the boat
while they look for us. Well, then,
what's to prevent our hiding In the
dunes and-?"
In the next breath. Look outi" he
shrieked.
With no warning whatever, and
within fifty feet of them. CHASTITY
fare broke out IN full blaze on the
surface Of the water, revealing the
shape of dory which had drawn In
unseen under cover IT the profound
darkness, and at the same time dis
covering to it's occupants the two
startled figures on the beach.
Before they could stir the weird
light glimmered on polished weapon
in the bow of the boat, a spiteful
tongue of reddish flame spat out, a
bullet sang between Messrs. Law and
Barcus. and with sad thud Of disap-
pointment buried itself in the sands of
the wave-eaten bluf. behind them.
Like twin automatons stirred to &C.
ton by the report. the two turned aAd
pelted of down the beach, to escape
that deadly area OF illumination.
Other shots sped after them, but
none was so well aimed. and presently,
finding break In the bluff, they
swung off into the grateful shelter OF
the night-wrapped dunes.
Meantime the dory had grounded on
the beach, and its several occupants
four or five of them, all men, appar-
ently-jumping out, set of in pursuit
Of the fugitives. following the tracks
IN the sand.
The blackness of the night, how
ever. conspired with the savage laby-
rinth Of the dunes to save Alan and
his companion.
still the pursuit floundered and has
phemed at random a round quarter |
mile to the south-Mr. Law and Mr.. |
Barcus were noiselessly squirming on |
their bellies, like two snakes In the |
up the back OF ten-foot |
bluff. And presently from its brow
they looked down on the spot where |
the dory lay. only its bow out OF water,
It's stern afioat, under armed guard.
Very slowly and stealthily Alan got I
10 his feet and swung back over his !
heavy club Of driftwood.
A match spluttered beside the dory
md famed in the still air, relieving
With it's reddish glow bronzed and
evil visage.
The guard pulled fast and had the
.obacco well aglow when the sky took
advantage of his trustfulness and fell
ipon him like an avalanche.
simultaneously Alan and Barcus de-
'cended the face of the blur in two
miniature landslides, dug themselves
tut. and by the time the dazed and
lisarmed guard had sufficiently .ee7v-
red to cry out for help the dory was
! hundred yards OF the beach and
making excellent time In the direction
# that lonely green light
They wrought with the oars like
men possessed, yet with a machine
Ike precision that drove the boat fast