Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-03-21

To save Joe, then. was ks first
care.
At first it seemed as If the boy had
frustrated him. He had not been home
all night. Christine. waylaying K. in
the little hall. told him that.
Mrs. Drummond was here" she
said. ''She is almost frantic. She says
Joe has not been home all night. She
says he looks up TO You, and she
thought If you could find him and
would talk to him"
Joe was with me last night. We
had supper at the White Springs ho-
tel. Tell Mrs. Drummond he was in
good spirits, and that she's not TO
worry. l feel sure she will hear from
him today. Something Went wrong
with his ear, perhaps, after he left
me-"
He bathed and shaved hurriedly.
Kade brought his coffee TO his room,
and he drank it standing. AS he went
down the Street. he saw Mrs. Nc
Kee in her doorway, with Il little knot
of people around her. The Street
was getting the nights news.
He rented a car at a local garage,
and drove himself out into the eoun-
try He was not minded to have any
eyes on him that day. He went 10
Schwitter's first. Schwitter himself
was not in sight, Bill, the bartender.
was scrubbing the porch, and a farm
hand was gathering bottles from the
grass into a box. The dead lanterns
swung in the morning air, and from
back on the hill came the staccato
sounds Of reaping machine.
Where's Schwitter?'
AT the barn" Bill grinned. He
recognized X, and. hopping dry part
of the porch, showed a chair on it,
''Sit down. Well. how's the man who
got his last night? Dead!"
NO"
County detectives were here bright
and early. After the lady's husband
guess we lose our license over this. :"
BIN, did you see the man who fired
thar shot last night?"
A sort of haze came over Bills face.
as if he had dropped curtain before
his eyes. But his reply came prompt
ly: "Surest thing in the world Close
to him as you are TO me- Dark man
about thirty small mustache--''
Bill, you're lying and l know it,
there is hel"
The barkeeper kept his head. bur his
color changed.
Il don't know anything about him"
He thrust his mop into the pail. X.
rose. The farmland had filled his box
and disappeared around the corner of
the house. X. put his hand on Bits
shirtseeved arm.
We've got to get him away from
here. BIZ. The county men may come
back to search the premises"
How do l know you aren't one of
themy"
Il guess you know I'm not. He's a
friend of mine. AS matter of fact. |
followed him here; but l was too late.
Did he take the revolver away with
hirn?'
Il took it from him. Its under the
bar"
Get it for me"
From inside the bar Bill took care
full survey OF lie Moyne. He noted his
tall figure and shabby suit, the slight
stoop, the hair grazing over his ears
Barkeepers know men: that's part of
the job. After his survey he went be
hind the bar and got the revolver from
under an overturned patti
X. thrust it into his pocket.
Now, he said quietly, where is
her"
In my room-top Of the house"
X. followed Bill up the stairs down
which he had carried Wilson's uncou-
SciOus figure. The room under the
caves was sitting. An unmade bed
stood in a corner. Joe was sitting in
the corner farthest from the window
When the door swung open. he looked
up. He showed no interest on seeing
X. who had to stoop to enter the low
room.
Hello, joe"
Il thought you were the police. Is
he. dead?'
NO, indeed"
Il wish I'd killed him :"
ooh, no, you don't. You're glad you
didn't and so am l..
Huh :"
X. sat down on the bed. Loud calls
from below took Bill out of the room.
AS he closed the door behind him. X. s
voice took on a new tone;
Joe, why did you do it,"
You know. Don't go into that,
did ii. and III stand by It."
HAS it occurred to you that you
made a mistaken"
$50 and tell that TO somebody WHOM F.
believe you" he sneered. They came
here and took a room. / met him com /
ing out Of it. I'd do it again if had /
a chance, and do it better"
at was not Sidney"
Jaw chuck it," !
IT'S a fact. | got here not two 7
minutes after you left. The girl was
still there. II was someone else. Sid /
ney was not out of the hospital last .
night. She attended lecture. aud .
hen an operation"
Joe listened. 1t was undoubtedly
relief to him TO know that il had not
been Sidney; but If X. expected any
he did not get it.
IF he is that sort. he deserves what
ne got" said the boy grimly 7
And X. had no reply. But Joe was
glad to talk. K got it by degrees-his