Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-03-09
CHAPTER lx-cOntinued.

w hen" asked Phlllp, eagerly. 10
day."
Tonnibel shook her head.
"Nope" she replied YEARLY. I'm
dead beat out"
"And / forgot that" cried the boy.
"Tony, darling. will you-will you
kiss me before you GOT"
Two arms shot out and clasped
around his neck. Two eager lips met
his in such passionate abandon that
for long time after Tony and Gussie
had gone away toward the boulevard
Philip MacCauley lay face downward
on the shore, the sun peeping at him
from the eastern hill.
Paul Pendlehaven lay wide awake
in his bed his sunken eyes filed with
darkened sorrow. His brother had
stayed with him the most of the night
and now sat beside him.
"Will you sleep?" asked Doctor
John.
an try" was the response. ~
could If l knew where she was"
Doctor John reached over and took
his brothers thin hand,
1.-THE morning may bring her back"
he said soothingly. "And Paul, old
man, If you worry like this, you'll be
back where you were four weeks
ago."
The invalid sighed heavily.
oil 20 boF -
he said in excuse. "and somehow since
you told me of her people, l fear some
thing may have happened to her"
wen hope for the best" said John
Pendlehaven. rising. "Now if run
down for a wink or two will you lie
quietly while I'm gomez"
Eyes" came in a breath, and true to
his word, Paul Pendlehaven scarcely
breathed for a long while after his
brother went out, although his heavy
gray eyes stared at the breaking dawn.
If anyone had told him a month ago,
he could have longed for any human
being as he now longed for Tony De
Won, he wouldn't have believed 1t. He
dreaded the day without her dear
smile bending over him. Perhaps she
would never come back. At that
thought he groaned.
If he could only go to sleep. Only
close his eyes
His lids sank slowly down, and he
slept ftfully Mingled in his dream of
Tony Devon came sharp sound. That.
like Tony. must be dream. too. that
sound that was out of the ordinary
noises of the day, for although the
sun had called into life the bees and
birds. Ithaca still sIumbered.
The noise came again, striking
against his nervous brain and waxing
him. Suddenly. with painting breath
and beating pulses, he lifted himself
on his elbow. The screen had fallen
from the window and perhaps ten sec
onds passed as he stared mutely at it.
Then like a shot from gun. Tony
Devon sprang through the window in
TO the room. For moment the sick
man gazed at her with mingled emo
lions. Something dreadful had hap
pened to her. She was so white. so
wralthiike and changed, yet blotching
the pallor of her face were reddish
blue bruises. Then the bare feet took
the distaace between them in a oound
The dimples at the corners Of her lips
lived a moment and were gone.
When Paul Pendlehaven dropped
hack on the pillow. she spoke.
"Me and Gussie's back" she said I
brokenly. Il climbed up the tree and
got to the roof, fearin' to wake up
the other folks in the house" She sat
down beside the bed Somehow |
knew you'd be lookin for me. sir"
II was because she had passed |
through such a dreadful night and was |
20 terribly tired that she cried a little
rs child cries after It has been cruel /
y punished.
Paul Pendlehaven let his thin hand /
drop on the frowsly head. Tears stung /
his own lids Ike nettles.
Dear child" he breathed. "dear
pretty child I've waited all night for
sou. Ny God. what's happened to
vouT"
Tony covered her face with her
hands.
Somebody beat me up" she