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

most-respected as well as one Of the
wealthiest In Manhattan But that
comfortable fortune which might have
been hers had been dissipated by her
paternal extravaganza; Fanny had
been penniless when she married
young Adair for his money-a sordid
motive whose meanness had been
atoned by her candor in owning to it
as by its i'll success. For Adair had
lost everything in Wall street and had
taken his life during the ensuing fit
of despair.
Since that time Fanny had lived
upon the increment of her arts and
charms.
1t was quite natural that steady
paced matrons like Mrs. Wrenn should
disapprove ardently Of Fanny Adair.
Patria, however. liked the girl; and
recently finding her temporarily ma
rooued in a shabby boarding house In
town for lack of funds or invitation
to any country house, had promptly
taken Fanny under her wing, provid-
ing her with accommodations as lux
u-ious as her own in the hotel and inn
pulsively promising her month ut
SHADOW Lawn" when the time came
for Patria to return.
Could she have seen Fanny at that
moment, Patria would have been less
charitably disposed, would have grant
ed that more cogent reasons existed
for repenting OF her hasty invitation
than the fear of Mrs. Wrenn's dis
pleasure.
It was noon precisely when Mrs.
Adair alighted from town-car as ir-
reproachably turned ont as her engag-
ing self, and with furtive gIances right
and left. approached the entrance to
a faultlessly quiet residence in a So
Der side street Of the Murray Hill
quarter.
Her ring was answered by sleek
little man-servant with clOse-crOpped
hair as black as eyes that resembled
jet beads set aslant in a saffron mask.
Individually he recognized the caller.
Bowling with a Difference that was
somehow subtly insoIent. he admitted
Fanny.
Upon a mat in the middle of the
room q japanese gentleman of high
rank sat clothed In the rich simple
ity of the robes appertaining unto his
nobility.
He was a man Of middle-age. yet
younger than his years. The habit Of
authority was his. tempered with the
most suave urbanity.
MY dear Mrs. Adair-"
He bowed over her hand so low his
lips seemed to brush IL.
She began TO speak in agitated ac-
cents: Baron Huroki-"
He deprecated her emotion with
slight gesture.
you have come TO tell me some
thing I very much wish to know
ehT7
Her lands worked together in her
lap. y have come TO say. I wish to
be released from our agreement"
A second small gesture dlssented.
Her voice failed. She stared at him
with pitifQl eyes.
1T is impossible, my dear Mrs.
Adair." His tones were as bland as
oil, his intention as firm es adamant.
He smiled intimately up at her. why
distress yourselfT'
Il don't like what you make rae DO"
she faltered. "Patria-she is too good
to me, too kind and sweet. can't get
my own consent to continue spying IN
her"
You do not need It, dear Mrs. Adair.
You have mine"
Baron HurOkl-"
"Please-ah. please do not make me
remind you Of certain unpleasant mat
ters which must inevitably become
public should you fail to carry out my
instructions with respect to the amia-
bic Miss Claiming. It is my wish that
you continue to be her friend; you
must become her bosom friend, her
closest contidaGt; when that is accom-
plished, I shall secure through you GER
tain information essential to ray-oh
happiness; and then I shall permit
you TO 60 free of all obligations TO me.
Meantime-must I remind you. your
services are well paid?"
She was silenced. And while She
sat twisting futile fingers together
and striving to contrive some way our
of those tolls in which she was so
hopelessly eGmeshed, a servant en-
tered, bowed, and announced Senior
Juan &c Lima. At sighi of Mrs. Adair
he addressed her with the iuformaHty
Of an intimate acquaintance
"Ah-h, Sonora Adairl OF all women
the one am most anxious to see
And where, Fanny, dear, we're you
last night, when 1 see ATees Patria
dancing with Montmartre?"
last night? Patria at Montmar-
tre"'
The eyes of the baron narrowed.
But yes-I tell you. ara at Mont
martre at two thees morning. with n
friend. And suddenly l see Mees
Claiming there, dancing in costume. a
character dance, like a public dancer,
all alonel'
Mrs. Adair elevated delicately pen
ciled brOws "Patria was in bed be-
fore midnight. sat at her bedside
talking with her, for half an hour, be-
fore she turned cut her light"
~~~~-~-~~~~-~~-~-~~~~~0@~~
Byers will make two trips each week
between Nome and a camp 3S1 miles
inland TJo will 30, -,.,- mail oy,d ,,o,s