Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-08-22

with wicked force, fought wildly to
break away and disarm him.
What followed was so blurred with
fear, desperation. panic-strieken strug-
glings, that she retained no clear I'M
Outstanding of the affair.
She knew only that it eliminated in
the explosion of the pistol. She saw
Edouard reel back, catching wildly at
the air, and fall. She stared incredu-
ously at her hands that held the weap-
on. Instinctively she fled that place
like hunted thing.
BAL MAsoUE.
Parr, alarmed by the pistol shot, ran
back toward the glade to meet midway
and receive ia his arms the wellnigh
demented girl.
1t was many minutes before he sue
ceeded in gaining a disconnected ac-
count of what had come of Patria's in
fatuated attempt to sacrifice herself.
"And then" she walled, "the pistol
went off in my hands, and he fell
dead, deadi murdered him 90
On the echo of that cry both heard
the sound of drumming hoofs dead
ened by the forest mould.
'Dead?" Donald doubted. "Oh, I
fancy not. Either Edouard has already
recovered sufficiently to steal my horse,
or he had confederate to do me that
service. Come and see"
The glade, when they again entered
1t, was empty. Both Elaine's manager
and Donald's cob had vanished. There
remained only the echo of flying hoofs
to testify that either had been there.
How he managed to trail me here
without my knowledge is what mysti-
fies me-" Parr complained when, some
time later, the two sat together be-
fore the little bungalow. He could
hardly have done 1t unassisted. see
HurOkis hand in this; the man is
shrewder than credited him with be-
ing-and that's saying a lot"
"And what can we do?"
There's only one thing to do now.
Every hours delay now means added
danger-for If Huroki doesn't know it
already, he'll learn quickly enough now
from Edouard that you still live; and
he won't waste much time before he
tries to rectify that fatal flaw in his
calculations. We've simply got to beat
him to it,"
"And how"
''Tonight there's to be a bal masque
at the Claiming cottage If we lie low
till nightfall-I won't leave you again
we can take advantage of this
masquerade, fancy, quite effectively"
Rapidly and clearly he outlined a
plan of operations.
publicity we must avoid if posi-
Bile, both for your sake and for the
sake of the work you have yet to do as
executrix of the Claiming Defense
Fund" he concluded. IF we can quiz
city put the fear of God into the heart
of Elaine and send her back to town,
and ut the same time persuade HurOki
and Company it's far more comfortable
to leave the country than stay to face
charges of criminal conspiracy-I
think we may call it a good days work
and let it go at that, without banker
ing for more spectacular revenge"
1t was nearly eleven when Parr
brought the canoe to the beach where
on Patria had landed the previous
night. The girl. again in bathing suit
and beach cloak-the only things Pa
tria had been able to muster from. her
bungalow wardrobe in the way of cos
tume-jumped out lightly and lent
Donald hand he didn't need to carry
the canoe we'll up cut of reach of the
tide.
AT the top of the cliff they paused
only to adjust their masks; there was
No need for further discussion of plans
already definitely formulated.
Viewed from a little distance, the
scene on the lawns was distractlngly
interesting. As Parr had fOretOld, so
it had fallen out, all Newport-all that
social colony which makes Newport
what 1t stands for in. the comprehen-
sion of the world-had foregathered
or the lawn of the Charming cottage
in brilliant costumes and gayest spir-
it's.
But Patrta and Captain Parr did not
llnger. Their time was too precious.
Entering the house by side door
little used, they separated immediate
ly, Parr stroiling nonchalantly to pre-
arranged point of designation with his
assistants, Patria slipping quietly up
stairs tic her dressing room.
She threw open the door and en-
tered without ceremony, courageously
prepared to do what she had come to
do, but at once disappointed and a
bit relieved to find the room tenanted
only by an astonished maid.
ST wish to see Miss Charming" Pa
tria demanded.
Madam will find her on the lawn"
the maid replied, cycling this strange
masquerader with considerable suspi-
cion. ''She has just descended to dance
for her guests"
One of Patria's hands brought from
beneath her beach wrap a treasury
note.
"Please find her for me-ask her to
come here without delay"
"And whom shall say"
''Tell Miss Claiming a friend of Ed
Guards wishes to see her on important
business"
The money changed hands; the maid
departed on the Grand; Patria select
ed a chair close by the door and sat
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