Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-07-07
CHAPTER li.-Continued.

You might, but you won't. You will
accompany me TO :he BANK you will
stand ut M elbow while | cash II;
you will then enter a motorcar with
me and drive to some deserted spot
outside Chicago; you will leave the
auto, and thus give me chance to
escape All this while | shall have
the dynamite one false move and TIL
blow us to kingdom come. Your life
is worth ten thousand dollars. | take
IT. Mines not. DO | make myself
clearf"
Excessively. And now for the
check" without moving his head
from the back of the chair Otis pro-
duced private check book and a
fountain pen. and, feeling the way
with his fingers. filled out a check
for ten thousand dollars. What
name?" he asked.
make 1t payable to bearer"
"fvry we'll"
Father !"
A pair Of pOrtleres at the rear Of
the room were held far apart, and In
the aperture stood girl. without
turning-his back was toward her
Fitzhugh knew who she was. He had
heard her voice before. AS she spoke
his uplifted hands dropped swiftly
and concealed the newspaper package
beneath his coat. Then he turned.
and, even as he knew he would. looked
into the pansy-blue eyes of the girl
with the Titan hair.
There was dramatic tablenu. Fitz-
hugh, every nerve and muscle tense,
stood looking at the girl. Otis. who
had not moved, watched him. The
girl looked from one to the other in
quiringly She seemed to know intu-
itiyely that something very unusual
had occurred.
Otis was first 10 speak
''Will you excuse us, Kathleen? This
gentleman and | have a little business
TO transact"
Il did not intend to interrupt. IA
Their. | thought you were alone"
She went out closing the portieres
hehind her. otis wrote bearer" on
ahe check, shipped It from the book
and stood up. lie held out the check
without saying word
Fitzhugh took the slip of paper.
'stu,lled II reflectively. There was no
questioning its genulneness II called
for ten thousand dollars. and the call
was ms authoritative as govern
ment bond Suddenly he drew
deep breath. folded the check. and de-
hhcrntely tore II twice across. He
dropped the pieces on the table.
picked up his hnt. and without a fur
ther word walked from the room.
In the hall he found Kathleen Otis.
'Thls Is not the first time" said he
in his best dramatic manner, you
have saved me from myself. thought
I'd tell you"
She stepped hack, looking at him
curlousIy lin afraid don't IN
derStand you. | don't think even
know you"
It's hardly possible"
What were you doing In thereT
she Interrupted Il know something
was wrong and" She broke Off
and with impulsive courage fairl,
shot question at him. Were you try
ting to hackmail my father?"
"Some people might have called 1
something worse" he replied easily
and he was thinking: "She's beauti
ful-beautlful This must be the sor
men 20 crazy over The sort men d,
things for"
what were you doing?" she in
sisted.
why so inquisitlve?" he countered
She looked annoyed "W-would 70,
mind telling me your name7" sh,
asked, aud dug her nails into he
palms upon feeling her cheeks burn
ting.
He asked pointedly: Can you recall
the 'drtiest young man you ever saw ?
She bit her lip and stepped bacl
from him. She was scarlet to he
temples. "Yes-yes. | remember yor
now. You are the one gave a dolla
10 yesterday. I believe you said you
name was Fitz-Fitz something o
other2'
"Fitzhugh"
"oh. yes-Daniel Fitzhugh! / re
tneHhrr perfectly now.
I'm glad you do
Then he became aware that Syminr
ton Otis was standing in the daorwa
OF the library. Al sight Of the MAJ
whom he half believed dangerou
iunatic taking the unthinkahle libert
OF addressing his daughter Gus coo
ness had vanished, his restraiu
snapped.
FitZhugh took the girls hand. an
In vibrant voice pregnant with FL
snore significance than the words
uttered, said, Il Will not say goodh
but sau revoir" Then he turned an
left the house. The front door ma
scarcely closed behind him before OF
wheeled upon his daughter
"what did that man say to your" /
demanded.
why. n-nothing of any importanc