Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-05-11
By GRACE MILLER WHITE


hoarsely. Great Heavens, child, can't
you see how awful it looks for your"
"Yes, was all she said, miserably.
Doctor John was wandering aimless-
~ about the room. The mysetry that
had hung over Tony Devon ever since
she had been with them was deeper
than ever. He felt like shaking the
truth from her, for the sight of his
horror-stricken brother filed him with
rage which did for the moment obliter-
ate the past two years in which the
girl had been the one bright spot in
their home
Then if you know, Tony" Doctor
John calculated. "just out with it.
Your father evidently didn't take
them"
Il did" interrupted Tony.
what for?' was his bitter retort.
My brother gave you permission to
wear them whenever you wanted to y
Tony couldn't answer She was be-
coming nopelessly entangled, more so
with every word she uttered.
God, I'd rather have given them all
to YOU" mourned Doctor Paul. Il in
tended to, anyhow"
IF your father dies, Tonnibel." said
Doctor John. sternly. you'll be arrest
ed. Oh, Lord What a mess |"
Its awful" muttered Tony.
Simultaneous with her assertion.
Reginald Brown opened the door and
minced over the threshold. Perfectly
certain now that Uriah had but a tenn
porary wound, and that for the love
they bore Tonnibel Devon, his cousins
would hush the matter up, he had de-
termined TO make his plea openly TO
the girl.
'Tony," he said, coming forward
with magnanimous swagger, I'm the
only one in this house who loves
you"
"You lie," flashed Philip, as Doctor
John took a step toward his young
cousin. but the girls expression
brought him TO halt. She was look
ing at Reginald with eyes that seemed
to him to burn holes through him.
"Pve never told any one here You
cared for me, Reggie" she faltered
drawing herself forclbly from Doctor
Paul, "and-and l took the things out
of the safe to help us along when
when
Reggie stared at her, amazement
spreading over his countenance: he
felt a swelling in his chest, an over.
whelming awe and respect for her
Il didn't tell you to steal" he blurt.
ed.
Il know you didn't" responded Ton
nibel, amid the terrible silence that
had fallen on her friends, but We
couldn't get along without money. SC
took he-the-Cousin Paurs-"
During the broken statement PHILIP
MacCauley had dropped into a chair
and covered his face with his hands
Doctor John was gaping at her as II
she had struck him, but Doctor Paul
well, he simply reached out and
grasped her hands.
you're lying again, Tony" he inter.
rupted her grimly. 81 don't know why
but I'm positive all you've said is a
fearful lie. Reginald, have you ever
asked Tony to marry your"
The boy smiled broadly. Everything
was working out splendidly for him.
Eyes, and her father promised her
to me-" he boosted. but didn't know
until tonight she really loved me-"
Tony shot him look of haze but
she lowered her eyes instantly. She
dared not risk Paul Pendlehayen see.
ing her revulsion.f
But it was to Reginald's credit that
he believed she spoke the truth. His
vanity wouldn't allow him to think
otherwise.
"Fd like to talk to her alone" he
said crisply, directly at Cousin Paul
Women are peculiar creatures. Why
I'VE loved her over two years, and to
think she made Philip believe she was
going to marry him"
$50 she is" snapped Philip, raising
his head.
"When I've done my damnedest to
get her to kiss me even" continued
Reginald, overlooking MacCau1ey's
ejaculation. You remember your.
self, Phil, what happened that day on
the boat"
Don't repeat it," cried Tony. "Oh,
all of You go away. Let me alone.
want to be by myself"
"You want 10 be with me-" contra.
dicted Reginald and he whirIed in tu-
bilant ecstasy on one heel, then clicked
his feet together: you love me Tony
You do, don't your
The dark head made an almost i'm.
perceptible nod. but Philip In his jeai-
ousy saw it.
He got up as If he were an old man.
The youth had gone out of him.
"If she doesn love me and never
has" he mutteref dazedly, then I'd
better CO."
He waited for, her to speak, to deny
her words, but the fearful expression
in the gray eyes turned upon him CON
fused him still more.
"Yes, 90" Tony told him. rousing
herself, "and-and-neyer think of me
again"
There was silence in the room as he
went away, but no sooner had the door
closed than Tony flung up her arms
and sank unconscious in a forlorn, lit
tie heap against Paul PendIehayen.
CHAPTER XVI.
Payment In Full.