Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-11-05
CHAPTER ~.
The Wicked Flee.

women hlOne IN the nOuSe-appdf-
ently--to guard them. but Mrs. Rela-
rio was terrified.
These stones'-she looked about
the room despairingly. "Where camel
hide them? And we two women alone
In the house"
Again the ring-a long. long rattle (;
whoever II was meant to get In. Fol-
lowed a pounding on the door.
Mrs. DelariO. though deathly white.
was now composed and ready to meet
the emergency, whatever 1t was. Me-
chanically she slipped the elastic over
the box and rose.
"Tll go TO the door," she decided.
ITS better to see who II is, anyway.
Perhaps it's only a district messenger.
If It isn't--if 1t should be officers
they might break in the door"
And with that she whisked up her
skirt and tucked the box down into her
stocking.
! had risen and was preparing to
follow her out. feeling she might need
me. but she turned and said for me
to wait behind the door out of sight
and listen.
She left me. heard the front door
open just as the pounding began again.
She asked. what Is it," and a mans
voice answered, "Does Eugene Delario
live heref" She said he did, and de-
manded what was wanted of him. The
mans voice said. 81 must see him at
once"
And then. to my amazement. / heard
her tell the man, I'm sorry. but you
can't--tonight; he's sick in bed"
81 rather think l can see him, then"
was the retort. "And | will"
There followed. well. not quite
scufile but very active shutting of
feet, and the man pushed his way into
the house In spite of her, pushing her
aside from the door. which he shut
with bang and "Now, then" SEN
satlons began to triekle down my
spine.
"In which room is the young man
slck?" demanded the voice.
II tell you you can't see him re-
fuse 10 let you go upstairs. What
right have you forcing yourself into
my house this way and demanding to
see my sick SOM" she asked angrily.
"Now, lady, be reasonable and I'll
show you" he replied in tone meant
to conclliate. l heard q rattle Of pa
per.
"a warrantl" she gnsped.
"That's what" he said. want TO
see my badger There was Il slight
rustic as assumed he showed 1t to
her. for she gasped, IAN officer--a war
rant !" and seemed to sway on the
stair
Nov. lady" he began, still concill-
atlng. you don't want to make any
more trouble for yourself than's nee
essary. got TO do my duty-and II
amt always pleasant---but ! got TO do
IL. 1t ain't my fault If l got TO arrest
your SOP i amt doing 1t to spite you.
nor hlm-he didn't steal any diamonds
on me- yoU know"
"Steal any diamondsl" she inter.
rupted. "IIe never stole diamond in
his life Never
l fancied the man Struggling as he
answered, $50 much the better for him
IL he didn't steal them--Fm sure /
hope for your sake he didn't. though
Il looks bad him trying 10 sell them
to the very parties that knew all about
them"
"Oh!" and could see her clinging
TO the banister. She was evidently at
loss what TO do.
/ understood in a fash what had
happened-thiS man or an accompllce
was the one who had followed her son
home from the Maiden lane dealers
yesterday. He evidently thought he
WINS making Roadway. for he went on.
Now see here, lady. you take II
from me-the parties that are press
ting this CASE don't care for publicity
/ my more than you door your son
does. 1t would ruin him II 1t got into
the papers. 10 say nothing of his serv-
ing time for it"
Serving time! My Cod" broke
from her inyoluntarily.
'Of course he'll serve time IL it's
proved on him." her visitor assured
her
She gave q sob. was wrought up
II was all could do TO keep my place
and not join her and help defy the
man: but his next words held me lis.
| tening
"lf he'll give back the stones he
| showed yesterday, or tell where he's
hid them, ! can get this eettled out of
court and nobody will he the wiser-if
| you don't say anything. Seef'
ut isn't truer" she cried. "My son
never stole cents worth Of anything
| In his life"
Here's the warrant"
ARREST him if you will. hut the law
| viii prove him innocent--if there's law
in tbs land. and sometimes doubt it. -
But hadn't you better talk TO him
first? II won't hurt to hear what he
has to say, and II it can be arranged
on the quiet"
II shall not talk 10 him! DO YOU
| think I would insult my son by asking
4 Dim IL ha stole diamonds ?"