Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-04-13
A New Romance OF tho Storm Countru

ask the girl 10 sgSk cousin Paul. Then
what win you dor"
You ask her, Kathie," said Mrs.
Curtis. in coaxing tones.
Katherine tossed her head
you've got nerve TO send me to
her for anything she shot back. Il
will notr'
Mrs. Curtis came forward with
trembling footsteps.
"Not for your brothers sake? oh.
Kathie. dor
NE, won't" said the girl. $50
Just don't ask me. Reggie'S not my
son. and I haven't any sympathy for
him." With that she made for the
door and was gone.
For, over an hour the anguished
mother walked up and down. Then
ms if she had at last reached a con-
I clusion, she went TO the servants
quarters. There she sent the maid to
ask Tonnibel to come out to Doctor
Paul's conservatory Cor a minute.
Tony silently stared at the white
woman when they came face to face.
Mrs. Curtis swallowed her pride. gulp-
ing at the Jumps that rose in her
throat.
I'm sorry about this afternoon,
Miss Devon" she said 81 really didn't
understand"
TonnibeI thought in a flash that
Mrs. Curtis must have gotten re-
ligion; nothing but softening of
heart could account for the apology.
Never mind" she choked. 'Tm
awfully sorry about my daddy, but If
he will be bad, then / suppose be
must 60 to, JAIL"
This statement renewed the dread
in Mrs. Curtis heart about her son.
Gould you take a message to my
Cousin Paul for me?" she ventured.
What is it?" asked Tonnibel.
thiclily.
MY son is H." Mrs. Curtis ex-
planned tearfully. "and he must go
away. haven't any money, but if
Paul knew about it he'd help me.
VIII you ask him?"
ToIG thought d minute.
Not tonight" She replied. rMebbe
AtbtipE dOHil--
mo, he hates my SON." the other
cried passionateiy. "Oh. you mustn't
say anything to him about IT,"
Tonnibel Devon was awfulIy
tempted to refuse ihe naughty woman
who had pulled her around by the
hair only that afternoon. But she re.
membered Philip remembered his
love for her, and relented.
Come along back tomorrow morn
Ing and mebbe I can get you some"
she answered, walking away. Then
over her shoulder she flung back. "Tn
try. anyhow"
With this last statement Mrs. Cur.
It's had to be satisfied. Reggie suf-
fered dreadfully the night through.
his mother sitting at his bedside.
Tony Devon also had been awake
most of the night. In the morning
after breakfast. she set about gather
ing courage to approach Doctor Paul.
With Gussie Piglet In her arms. she
sat down beside him. and now the
minute was there to speak, Tony
didn't know bow TO begin. But to be-
gin meant TO begin. Tony had learned.
so she coughed and blurte3:
"Your cousin, Mrs Curtis, is kind
of pretty, amt sheT'
"She would be il she didn't cry so
much" responded Doctor Paul.
This gave Tony the opening she
wanted.
"Her boys awful sick, so she says"
she broke out. that's why she cries.
If he don't go away. he'll die, mebbe."
The lovely gray eyes grew darker
as they searched his. and Doctor Paul
leaned over and looked keenly at her
did Cousin Sarah ask you to come
70 me. little gir?" he questioned in a
kindly tone.
Tonnihel nodded
'She says Doctor John don't like
her boy. and mebbe you'd help her."
said the girl. bushing
The man considered the red face
moment.
Would II please Won 10 have me
help her and him?" he then queried.
II should think you'd be fhe last per
son TO ask that. Ny brother told me
she's always very unkind to you"
"She don't know any better" re-
piled Tony. "Shes never learned
what lovin' awful hard means. and
mebbe she's so worried over her boy
she's got to be horrid TO some ONE
Paul Pendlehayen laughed. then he
grew grave. perhaps that's tt. Now
do you think you could find my cousin
and bring her heref"
T0nnibel looked at him donbtfuly.
she ndght make you nervous" she
said dubiolsly.
81 don think so replied the doc
tor, smiling. Tin 50 much better. We
won't speak Of This 10 John, and
won't get nervous He made the
last promise because the girls face
was troubled and anxions.
TonnIbel nodded and hurried out.
She knew which room Mrs. Curtis oc.
cupied and sought Tie other wing Of
the house When she knocked at the
door a woman's voice called a low
Come in 80
Tony stepped inside and. turning.
shut the door before she took sur
yey Of the room. When she did. she
almost tainted. Reggie Bgown. the
awful man she had known In the
canalboat days. the mhn who had
dropped the poison into Paul PendIe-