Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-01-26
CHAPTER II.
The Master OF the plrtv Marv

A week before this story opens.
Uffah Devon had steamed the length
Of the lake, anchorlng his boat as near
Ithaca as he dared. Even to his wife.
Edith he had not confided why he had
brought her to town where yawning
prison doors gaped for her every pass
Ing hour.
81 won't go, Riah." Mrs. Devon had
cried when her husband had made the
statement that he intended to visit
Ithaca. you couldn't get me near
that place with rope around my
neck"
But the very fact that she now sat
on a small bench against the boat rail.
gazing moodily at the water. proved
that Uriah Devon Lad cOntrived TO
have his way.
Occasionally Mrs. Devon lifted her
head to listen and turned her eyes to
the west where narrow path zig
Jagged its length up the Hill to the
boulevard. Into her tortured soul
had come belief since the night he
fore. that Tony's "Gloriest God"
would send her man home.
Suddenly the sound of heavy foot
steps In the forest path brought her
sharply around. At last he was COM
ing, this man she loved. perhaps
drunk, perhaps to beat her; but new
ertheless he was coming. and that was
all she cared about
Urlah Devon slowly walked up the
gangpIank In silence.
"Where you been?' the woman
forcet herself to say. But instead Of
replying. he demanded.
"Where's TOnnibelT"
81 dunno" was the answer. "a min
ute ago she was over there not ten of
your legs jumps from here.
Where you been all this week.
He'd been on terrible spree. she
decided He looked as If he had been
drunk for days. That he had some
thing unusual on his mind, she knew,
and she knew, too. II was about Ton
nibel, for hadn't he asked for the kid
the moment he'd returned?
TITS about time we was doing
things. Eide" he said. turning grimly.
"Fve waited as long as | dared. Rege
says Paul Pendlehnven hasn't an inch
leeway before he's In his coffin. "
Mrs. Devon's face grew deathly
pale.
What do you mean, honey3" she
fBrsred.
1--WE live like rats In hole" took
up the man. after a pause, while If
Tony was made TO do her part. we'd
be on easy street. That's what mean.
We've got to hive money and lots OF
It. Reggle's SIN ng to marry the kid
II you mind your business afterward
His marryln' her amt sayin' he'll stick
to her. But we got To have Doodle
and we can't get It only through her. -
"He shan't have 'er," the woman
said with hard tones and flashing
eyes. How many times We got to
say 1t over to you? If that's the why
you've come TO Ithaca, you might as
well turn the old scow north and &c
back again. He's bum" she went
on. "a dude and fool and every.
thing else that's bad He's n thief
too"
Devon laughed.
$50 am |, Eide" said he $50 re YOU
for that matter If Reggie knew that
Tony was Paul Pendlehaven's kid, We
wouldn't get one d-n cent Of her
money. He SWITCHES from the Pendle
Ravens and his mother because he
don't get cash enough other ways. A
fclier's got-to have spendln' money"
"Pretty small pickln's." sneered
Edith Devon stealth from folks nj
mos, in the grave amt my style Reg
gie's some second-story man, that
young duf1er is"
You sneaked Paul's kid tainted
Devon He wouldn't he almost in
his grave now IL you'd kept your
hands off'n Tony"
The woman turned on him sayagely
| paying no heed to his words
"Get your blasted Reggie TO steai
enough for us all from the Pendleha
veus." she said God knows they've
got il aud TO spare. Its better'r
handlu' Tony over to i'm. He lives al
| Pend!ehaven'S. don't he?"
"IIe won't do It," cut in Devon
Reggie aint got the nerve TO burn his
| fingers too deep. Paul Pendelhaven'd
send him up for that, II he caught
hi,a. My plan is 10 get Tony married
To Rege, and before the lids screwed
down on rendlehaven's face, shov,
the girl IN between John Pendlehaver
and his precious cousin. Reggie.
mother, and then Rege and me get.
Tony's money, seer
Edith shlvered
Il hear what you say" She NUT
tered. land J 'spose I'll do it If yor
promise not to let-that pup hurt Ton,
when he gets her. Best let's wal
another year before talkin marriag,
to her. though"
"Nothin doin'." rasped the man
''Tony's almost a woman, and she.
eatin' her head OF. After she's mar
rieS--"
you two menT rag the kid to deatl