Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-03-30

withdrew her arm and crouched down
on the floor.
What had her fathers pal put I'm
Dr. Paurs medicine? Minute by min
ute she became more acutely sure that
no good had been intended. Silently
she took up the glasses and carried
them to her own room. Then she slip
ped out into the hall, ran along the
corridor and raped softly on John
Pendlehaven's apartments. Twice she
repeated her summons in nervous little
rap-taps that penetrated DIR. Johns
sound slumber. When he recognized
her. opened the door and noticed how
white she was, he drew her instantly
10 him and shut the door.
Between chattering teeth she began
to tell him tile dreadful tale. AS she
went on Cith the story the listeners
face grew much concerned.
Somebody's tried to poison him."
he cried. taking a long breath. MY
God, who could be so damnable as
that? Come, let me get the stuff.
Together they stole back to Tomb
Jefs room and DR.. John carried away
the medicine with him, leaving Tony
with a caution not TO speak of the
matter to HIS brother. Putting on his
clothes, John went outside and made
a tour of the house. 1t wasn't difficult
to find the place where the man had
fallen, but there was no sign of him
anywhere.
Tonnibel did not sleep at all that
night But very early in the morning
she arose and slipped into DIR. Paul's
room and put back the medicine Or.
John had given her.
During the morning DR.. John Pen
dlehaven softly entered her room. He
came forward, his hands outstretched,
his face white and very grave.
Darling little girl" he whispered,
with much emotion. "You have saved
my brothers life The villain, who
ever he was, put the rankest kind Of
poison in it. He must have gotten it
from some doctor for no druggist
would have sold 1t to him.
"Mebbe he's dead" replied Tony gem
fly, with an expression of awe. at
was a long tumble he took"
mo- he got away! I've hunted the
place over fer him. Would you know
him again If you saw him?"
Sure" replied Tony, noddlng, but
she said no more. To tell him who
the man was would mean TO break the
solemn oath she had made on the
Christ to her mother.
A tImid knock brought the CONVERSE
ton to close. Mrs. Curtis was at
the threshold when Pendlehaven open
ed the door.
"Tve been looking the house over
for you, John" she began. Boys got
headachel He said for you not TO
bother 10 come to him, but to give
me something to make him sleep"
rs he drunk?" demanded Pendle-
haven.
Mrs. Curtis began to cry.
"John. how unkindl" she SMILED
from the haven of her handkerchief.
"The moment the child complains ev-
eryhody accuses him OF drinking. No,
of course. he isn't drunk"
For many days Reginald Curtis
tossed fitfulIy in bed, tortured by the
thought that he would never cease
being haunted by Tony Devon's spirit.
lie dared not get up for he was COW
cred with bruises from his fall, and
added 10 his misery, he imagined ev-
cry tine the door opened he was go
ing to be arrested But no such thing
happened and one afternoon when
Or. John was gone and his mother
and Katherine were shopping down
town, he crawled out of bed and made
his way softly from the house.
Uriah Devon had ventured back 10
the HOghole with his canal boat, 80
when Reginald appeared aboard her
Devon met him with a growl.
"Where in HI you been all this
time, Rege?" he demanded In sinis-
ter tone.
Reggie shuddered as he sank down
on the bench.
"Pm going crazy" he muttered
1--WE been awful sick"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)