Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-09-19
CHAPTER XXI.
The coloneI's "peh."


Though it was only eight O'Clock,
Smith sent his card TO Miss Richland-
ers rooms at cnce and then had him
self lifted TO the mezzanine floor TO
wait for her She came in few min
utes, strikingly beautiful figure of a
woman in the freshness of her morn
ing gown, red-lipped. bright-eyed, and
serenely conscious of her own re-
splendent gifts of face and figure.
Smith went quickly to meet her and
drew her aside into the music parlor.
Already the need for caution was be-
ginning to make itself felt.
II have come" he said briefly.
"You got my note?" she asked.
"a few minutes ago-just as was
leaving the breakfast table"
you will leave Brewster at once
while the way is still Open?"
He shook his head. II can't do
that; in common justice TO the men
who have trusted me, and who are
now needing me more than ever, 1
must stay through this one day, and
possibly another"
'Mr. Kinzie will not be likely TO lose
any time" she prefgured thoughtfully.
He has probably telegraphed to Law
renceville before this" Then, with
glance over her shoulder to make sure
that there were no eavesdroppers
But not one of these Brewsterltes can
Identify you as John Montague Smith
of Lawrenceville--the man who Is
wanted by Sheriff Macauley, My IA
that he will be detained in the noun
tains several days longer. refers 70 Mr..
Kinzle's request and suggests"
The fugitive was smiling grimly. He
suggests that you might help Mr.. Kin
zie out"
mot quite that" she rejoined "He
merely suggests that am to be prudent,
and-to quote him exactly-'nOt get
mixed up in the affair in any way so
that it would make talk"
IT see" said Smith. And then: You
have a disagreeable duty ahead of you,
and I'd relieve you of the necessity
by running away, If l could. But that
is impossible, as have explained"
She was silent for moment; then
she said: when l told you a few
days ago that you were going to need
my help, Montague, / didn't foresee
anything like this. l shall breakfast
with the Stantons in a few minutes /;
and after nine o'clock If you
could contrive TO keep out of the way
until I can get word TO you; just so
they won't be able to bring US face to
face with each other"
Smith saw what she meant saw,
also, whereunto his wretched fate was
dragging him. 1t was the newest of
all the reincarnations, the one which
had begun with Jibbeys silent han J.
clasp the night before, which prompted
him to say:
"If they should ask you about me,
you must tell them the truth. Verda."
Her smile was mildly scornful.
els that what the plain-faced little
ranch person would do?" she asked.
II don't know; yes, l guess it is"
Doesn't she care any more for you
than that?"
Smith did not reply. He was stand
ing where he could watch the comings
and gOings of the elevators. Time was
precious and he was chatting at the de-
lay, but Miss Richlander was not yet
ready ID let him go.
Tel me honestly, Montague" she
said lis it anything more than a case
of propinquity with this Baldwin girl?
on your part, / mean"
at isn't anything" he returned so
berry. Corona Baldwin will never
marry any man who has so much to
explain as l have"
You didn't know this was her home,
when you came out here?"
"No."
but you had met her somewhere,
before you Gamer
"Once; yes. 1t was in Guthrievllle.
over a year ago. met her there a; a
house where she was visiting"
Il see she nodded, and then, with
out warning: what was the matter
with you last night--about dinner
timer"
Why should you think there was
anything the matter with meE"
81 was out driving with the Stantons.
When came back to the hotel found
Colonel Baldwin and another man-a
lawyer. ] think he Eas-waiting for
me They said you were Feeding a
friend who could 60 and talk to you
and-'caIm you down was the phrase
the lawyer used. was good-natured
enough To go with them. but when we
reached your Offices you had gone, and
the ranch girl was there alone. wait
ing for her father"
THAT was nonsense. - he comment
ed their going after you as If were