Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-09-29

The second of last March," She
repeated the words duly, pressing her
hand 10 her forehead. THE second OF
last--why, D-Daniel, don't you remem-
Der? That is the day We first met
each other. Don't you remember,
Daniel?' = laughing shrilly - ''the
crowds and how l was swept into
your arms, and the speeches you made,
first in the street. and then
Esther! Esther! Do you realize
where you are? Twelve or fifteen
persons are waiting outside to see me.
and their time and mine means
money"
Her "reminiscences trailed off into
silence.
Money!
Then all at once a terrific change
came over her. She sprang Up tiger
ishly, swept the chair aside, rushed
toward the door.
He was there first. however. and
stood with his back against it, barring
her way.
You wifi not leave this Office" he
declared, until"
"Open that door,"
until you listen TO reason
open that door, open that door
III scream"
you may go when you've promised
me"
"0pen that door,
Out of all patience, angry and hu-
,,sIF D.,
saw her run the gaping gauntlet in the
outer Office. He closed the door quiet
| ly and summoned a messenger. His
nOstrils were dilated, his face white.
his lower front teeth were locked firm
ly over the upper ones. He sat at his
desk, took pad Of telegraph forms
from drawer. and with a hand as
steady as the mahogany on which it
rested he wrote the following, address
ing ii Secret Service - "A dement,
ed woman who imagines she has been
wronged by the Russian ambassador
will arrive in Washington from Chica
go. Watch all trains for her. She is
slightly built, has dark hair and eyes
and Is dressed in black. Fl. .. F.
Some while after FIVE o'clock Fitz-
hugh sat at the telephone on his locked
desk, his hat on, an unlighted cigar be
tween his teeth, delivering the custom
airy order for vio.ets. With final ad-
monition TO the florist to send nothing
except the best, he "hung up" AS he
lighted his cigar and swung out of his
Office he met a messenger, who hand
ed him "a square envelope. Embossed
on the back was zone Thousand Lake
Shore Drive" and 1t contained very
brief and formal request for an i'm.
mediate call from him at that address.
The chauffeur was waiting with the
car in Adams street. Fitzhugh settled
buck comfortably in the cushioned seat
as the chauffeur picked his way
through the mass of traffic and all
the cares and worries of that busy day
slipped gratefully from him. leaving
him serene with contenument.
He was received in the library Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Otis. There was no sign
of Kathleen; and a glance at her pa
rents sufficed TO apprise him he was in
for a dsagreeable time. They re
manned standing after he entered nor
was he asked 10 sit down. Mrs. Otis,
haughtily stationed as far from him
as the large room would permit, had
appointed herself spokeswoinan.
"Our daughter" said she, lifting a
formidable lorgnette to her eyes and
staring at him as though he were the
garbage man, has informed us of her
unfortunate alliance with you"
He bowed respectfully.
Il need hardly say to you"-and her
head raised higher. her hauteur waxed
stiff-''that You must consider this en-
gagement broken. Furthermore. you
will regard your undetermined ac-
quaintance with our daughter as
though il had never been. All com
nunicatlon with Der Of whatever na-
ture must cease instantly. That, be- |
ieve, is ALL"
If Mrs. Otis had expected 10 infiict a /
shock she triuInphed amply. II slt, !
had hoped 10 witness its manifestation /
she vas woefuIly disappointed. The (
bolt; but Beyond sudden tension
that gripped every muscle Of him. he
betrayed never sign Of the impact
outwardly he was almost # not quite
as self-possessed as when he entered /
the house.
Miss Otis-does she know thisT'
what q question Z" she gasped.
why, II Is she who"
''Don't!r He started forward i'm
pulsively. the blood mounting holly %
his face. But ere his composure de-
parted irretrievably-'T beg your par
don May / know the reason37
The reason" she said iciiy, wish
Ing his discontinue were more pro
nounced. sis disgracefnL Most dis
gracefuI'-lunging with the superla-
tive. 'sToday-this very afternooa a. in
--your-I--" She -four dered
heiplessly IN q middle Of words. Tbs