Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-02-02
CHAPTER III.
The Picture Of a Baby.


Tonnibeis heart Jumped almost into
her throat, then seemed to cease beat
Ing. There stood her father growing.
enraged and drunk, and as fsshe were
dead sand no longer able to help her
child. her mother lay almost within
touching distance II Uriah carried
out his plans, then the horrid fellow
there would soon claim her as his
woman. That thought frightened her
so that she stepped back as the new
conner came upon the deck.
whats the matter, Ry?' he asked
quite casually.
Hes killed mummy" burst forth
the girl. "And If both You fellers don't
want to get pinched. you'd better
scoot often this boat"
Urah laughed. and Reggie's high
pitched cackle followed.
"Been giving your woman little
discipline Ell. palY he demanded,
turning on Devon. "Well, they all
need 1t now and then. But she's the
llveliest, breathing corpse | ever saw.
Did you hit er, Dew"
"Yep" growied the other man. "and
I'm goin' 10 beat Tony. too. The i'm
pudent brat says she wouldn't marry
you If you was the last man Twin.
You watch the brat there. Rege, while
! duck Eide In the cabin"
TOnnlbeI. wide-eyed and suffering.
saw her father lift her mother up in
his brawny arms and carry her down
stairs. none too gently. When he had
Disappeared. throat sound made her
swing her eyes to the other man. lie
was contemplating her with a smile,
an evil smile, such as she hated in
men. His white teeth seemed like
many cleaning knives, sharp. strong
and overhanging his red lips spread
ing away from them.
Tie took step toward her and
stopped.
"Nvhy so, much fuss about nothing.
my little oneF" he said. cooling.
Daddy said !. had to marry you"
breathed the girl. brushing back a
stray curl from her brow. "But |
don'tl I'm goln' TO stay with my
mother on the Dirty Mary. There
Amt no law forcing Il girl to marry a
man she don't like. And hate you.
see? Huh?"
who spoke of a law" smiled
Brown. II didn't! But do know, my
little Tony.girl. that you'll say n very
meek yes when get through with
you"
Tonnibel suddenly shuddered and a
hopeless, helpless\ feeling went In
waves oyer her. Oh, to be anywhere
IN Gods clear. clean world! Away
from those cleaning lustful eyes But
she saw no opportunity Ia escape
| Reginald Brown was blocking the
! small space through which she must
fly If she were to be saved at all. She
knew very well il she could hide for
n little while the two men would drink
until they slept. Then she could come
back and help her mother. Plainly
| she had heard the woman weeping be.
| low In The cabin> and even more plain.
~ To her suffering ears came Devon's
blows, and after that-silence.
! Her heart thumped like hammer
against her side. Behind her lay tho
shining lake. And one hasty glance
over her shoulder only added to hel
fear. There was not sign of boa
anywhere she was frantic enough {,
scream II 1t would have done her any
good.
Il think I'll kiss you, my little bird
said Reggie, suddenly, narrowing hi,
eyes. You're pretty enough for any
one TO want {, kiss, BY Juve. | never
realized until today Just how much
liked Won. II I kissed you. welI-per
haps you'd change your mind about
about things"
Tonnibel slid backward TO the boa
rail. When she touched It, she whirle,
about and dove headlong into the lake
When Reginald Brown saw the girl
feet disappear under the water. he nj
tered an oath and cried out He hadn'
expected such an action on her pari
He ran TO the cabin steps an
screamed 10 Devon.
"She's in the lake, Ry." he shivere
as the other man sprang 20 the deck.
When Tonnibel felt the water owe
her. she swept TO the lakes hottol
with one long stroke Then deftly sh
rid herself OF her dress skirt and b,
gan to swim swiftly under the waite
They were tense minutes that tn
two men STOOD waiting until suddeul
beyond them 10 the south curly hea
came above the waters edge. The
they leapt 10 the shore and raced {,
ward the place she must land. I
the painting girl It was a race for lif,
Suddenly, like flashing glimps
from Heaven. the words. "Stand SIT
and See the Salvation of the Lord
tloated before her eyes like flame ,
gold, Philip MacCauley's deep vote
seemed 20 speak them In her ringin
ears immediately after. 'Goddy." sl
groaned. salvation Of the Lord. oI
darlju' salvation"
Just then her feet touched the pei