Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-06-08
CHAPTER lI-continued.

>
The street was deserted and rain
swept. the few lights showing mere
pin-pricks in the darkness. l plunged
straight across the street, as though
headed for the nearest car line, and
then, in the shade of darkness, re-
traced my steps, passing the corner,
until / attained the side entrance.
Here, assured that / was safely be-
yond observation, l paused to gain
some conception of my surroundings.
Across from where 1 stood appeared
the dim outlines of a long. ramshackle
building, apparently a shed of some
kind, while beyond the saloon was a
row of one-story dwelling houses,
seemingly exactly alike, and exhibit
ing no evidence of being occupied.
In which direction had the couple
turned after their exit through the
side door of /. the saloon-to right, or
left?
JAMS had unconsciously pointed in
this direction when he told of where
the girl lived, and, although that was
II
was no more than natural for him to
have thoughtlessly designated the
proper point of the compass.
/ advanced cautiously, finding the
narrow sidewalk one of boards. in very
bad condition. 1t was only when at
tanned the end of this row of houses,
and came to the entrance of a narrow,
dark alley, that found the slightest
proof that l was, by good fortune,
upon the right trail. 1t was above this
opening that the incandescent bulb
fiickered dimly, yet, in spite of wind
and rain, gave me glimpse of the mud
underfoot. The two must have been
the only ones passing that way since
the drizzle began, for their footprints
were yet visible in the soft mud of the
crossing as they advanced beyond the
safety of the board walk. BY bending
low, and keeping my own shadow out
of the way, was able to trace their
progress for two or three yards quite
easily, and then, TO my surprise, the
footprints turned abruptly to the left,
and disappeared entirely.
To all appearances the two had pro-
ceeded down the alley. Black, unin-
viting, as that gloomy passage APP
peared, they must have turned into it
and CROPPED their way forward. Where?
For what purpose7 ] could think of
but one obiect-the Alva iron factory,
the mysterious meeting place at S76
Cans street. Beyond all question this
alley would skirt along the back of
that building. and there would be an
entrance at the rear.
Dare l 20 on alone. unarmed as
was, knowing nothing of what / might
encounter? hesitated, my heart
beating like Ifip-hammer. vet, after
all the danger seemed more of the i'm
agination than reality. Besides. was
still young, and venturesome the stu
| alton appealed tc me, and-well. he
memory Of that girls FACE remained
strangely insistent. Odd as 4 may
seem, her predicament yielded me
reckless desire to have an immediate
hand in the game.
found two imprints Of her narrow
!
been made, then all trace vanished. /
crept forward, enveloped in gloom,
keeping as closely as possible to the
high board fence at the left. The way
was rough undertook, and my progress
consequently slow, being anxious to
make as little noise as possible. The
passage was so black, I lost all knowl-
edge as TO how far had zone, and was
only aroused to my position by finally
coming up against pile of lumber
which completely blocked the further
end of the alley. / recalled dimly that
the passage sweTved here, running
along the side of the Alva factory. I'M
place sought was to my left, behind
the protection Of this high fence. along
which had been so cautiously feeling
my way.
The silence was profound. stupefy-
Ing, uncanny. Against the lighter lead
of the upper sky was barely able to
trace the upper story of the building,
but 1t was all black, a gloomy. desert
ed hole. Any faith / might have had
that the two had attempted to follow
had come there vanished as strained
my eyes for some CLEAN of light, or
any other sign to denote their presence
within. ] still believed they had
turned down the alley, but this was not
their goal; beyond doubt they had en-
tered some gate along the way, and
thus escaped me entirely.
hardly know what impelled me TO
grope my way back along the fence.
hiin,Ily feeling for q gate. CurioSitv