Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-05-07
CHAPTER xxx.
A Glimpse Of Freedom.


The siding was deserted. The Pal
myra had run cut to Tuscon. Marshall
had gone without apprehension. They
did not expect now to have setbacks,
to have to extend the time set for the
ultimate diversion. The days were
blowing like oil. The encampment was
| filling up with visitors, newspaper men
who came to report the spectacular
capture of the river.
Richards day badly begun. piled up
with vexations. BY shutdown, he was
wet to the skin. and mad as sick Ari-
IONA cat.
In this jaundiced juncture, Mac
Lean, Jr.. brought down his dispatches
to the river. He read of the burning
of trainload OF railroad ties. Richard
swore.
Anything else pleasant2"
"A letter from the governor-from
dad" MacLean read that his father
begged a small favor of Richard.
Godfrey, the celebrated English
tenor, is on my hands. His doctors
have been advising outdoor occupa-
ton. l am sending him to you, ask
ing you to give him any job you may
have. He is willing to do anything
Put him at something to keep him oc-
cupied."
MacLean saw Richards face turn
red. Suffering catsl A WORKOUT
opera singer! What sort Of an opera
does he think we're giving down herei
Why doesn't he send me a fur coat, OF
pair of girl twins? Give the tenor
role! Anything else? Pile 1t all
on"
'Oh, and one from Godfrey himself
He's in Los Angeles. He says he'll be
here tomorrow" He did not wait fol
his chiefs reply.
At the supper table, Richard, dry
and In restored humor, alluded to the
invasion of high notes. "Pity the parts
are all assigned The only vacancy
! is In the kitchen. / wonder how he
would like to be understudy to Ling Y
The next day when the incident had
been forgotten, and while Richard was
up at the Crossing on the concrete
gate, Godfrey blew into camp. He
was like a boy out on a lark. His
brown eyes were dancing over the ad
venture. He explored the camp anG
came back bubbling.
ITS the biggest ever saw. But say
Junior, that's what they call you
isn't 1t? I'm the only idle man here
Can't you give me something to do
I'll do anything. I'd like the boss tC
find me busy when he comes in
MacLean softened the offer. Perhap:
until Mr.. Godfrey learned the ropes hi
could be of general use. They were
shOrt-handed the present moment
there was another hesitation--In the
kitchenl Ling, the Chinese cook, wa:
overcrowded-so many visitors
Great" crowed Godfrey, slappInl
him on the shoulder II don't want e
feel in the way. / want to earn my
board. Lead me to the cook %
That evening, the dinner was helped
on its way by the best-paid singer Of
England. In an apron, borrowed o.
Ling, he was "having the time of hi'
life" Ling. pretending to scold, haC
been won Immediately. Richard, hear
ing of the jolly advent, forgot his vex
alton, and Immediately on his return
made his way to the mesquit inclosur,
to greet the friend of George Mac
Lean.
After dinner, MacLean carried of
his prize to the Delta, where GODFREY
earned his welcome. Gerty Hardin for
got to flirt with the engineers; sh,
had discovered a new sensation. TIL,
wonderful voice twisted her heart
strings; it told her that the heart tina
has truly loved never forgets, and sh,
knew that she could never have reall!
loved, yet, because the youth in he
veins was whispering to her that sh'
could still forget. Godfrey saw mo
bile plaintive face turned up to the
gibbous moon; he swept it with thrills
and Pushes. She was q wonderful au
dience; she was also his orchestra. thu
woman with the plaintive eyes. III
played on her expressions as though
she were a harp.
| ANAtSAs hE was W III ,
Hardin. She told him that the eamI
would no longer be dull; that she hat
tea every afternoon in her ramada
She convicted him archly of British
hood. "She knew he must have hi
tea ~
'You American women are the won
ders of the world Nothing daunts you
In the desert, and you give Afternoon
teas. I'll be there every dayl"
He gave her open admiration: sh,
looked young and wistful in her sof
flowing mulls, the moonlight helping
her. She fell into delicious furry o
nerves and excitement. Later. sh
wandered with him from a rude gapin,
world into a heaven Of sIlvered deck
and cleaning waters. He told her 0
himself, of his loneliness; his musi
had dropped him to self-pity.
Gerry Hardin heard her bars drol
behind her. She snatched her frs
glimpse of freedom.
CHAPTER xxx.