Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-06-29

/ estimation 10 the hideous level OF a
i political conspiratOr. Yet what else
could she bel How could | account
I for her presence in this place on any
other theory except that she came as
a representative Of Chilean intrigue
As the trusted messenger Of that Sc
cret conspiracy at Santiago, under or
4 ders of the revolutionary junta at
4 Washington / had heard her words
spoken boldly 10 this band Of plot
/ ters. words of authority-demands
/ they dare not ignore. No, there was
no doubt as to who she was. or what
/ she was. In spite of her face. her
| pleasing manner, her attractiveness of
I person. she was a dangerous enemy to
this government which protected her.
a despieable snake crawling through
the dark 10 strike down az vietim-a
/ thing to be crushed without mercy.
The very sofrness. wOmanliness, only
made her the more to be feared. She
should cast no spell over me. / would
harden my heart. and forget all ex-
cept the duty I owed my country, and
whom we were at peace.
| Frankly. | do not know what to
| think answered at last "Your mis-
sion here tonight, as I understand it,
somehow does not fit in with my nat
ural conception of you as woman"
She laughed. but so low as TO be in
| audible TO those beyond the closed
door
you amuse me. Cannot a woman
! even womanly woman. If you
please-l0ve her country and be Will
ing to sacrifice in its behalf?"
"NOt TO the extent of treachery and
deceit; not to the end that innocent
men and women suffer-" / returned
holly. forgetting caution.
"And Is that my purpose here. you
thiDk?'
as 1t not? This is a neutral land,
yet what else can this conspiracy con-
template but eowardly destruction"
81 refuse to answer-here and now,
at least. Nor do l know why you
should ask. Why are you here, and
how? Do you realize the ease with
which l could open this door, and give
you over to the mercy of those men
in there? After what you have just
said why do you suppose / fail to do
so? Because l am such womanly
woman. perhaps"
"Rather because you have no rea-
son to so act. | may denounce your
connection with this affair, believing
1t no fit work for any true woman to
be engaged in. and yet myself be no
traitor TO the cause"
"You still hold me true woman
then?"
"Yes; may be blind, but retain
faith"
"That is good-yet do not trust too
much in any woman. What is your
name?'
"D-Daly, Harry DAILY"
"You seem TO have some difficulty
tonight in remembering names. Does
this mean you also possess a
variety?"
She stopped, listening intently, her
head tilted back so as to better hear
what was occurring behind the closed
door.
"Be quiet" she whispered, one hand
held forth in swift warning "They
are through in there. think. and Alva
win be out IN moment. Now listen!
Don't ask any questions, but listen.
WIN you pledge yourself to do what
ever say?9
"Within any reasonable limits
yes"
"Llmltsi Don't talk limits" impa-
tiently. "You say you are blind, but
retain faith. Act on that faith blind.
| ly. / cannot speak here; there is nc
time, no opportunity. Tomorrow at
two o'clock, come to PAT lie Compile
street. win your"
Eyes"
'Do not mistake the number. ASK
| for Miss Conrad. Now go back there
ara WIT for Homer Quick-they are
coming"
| plunged hastily into the passage,
and CROPPED my way back between the
narrow walls tc the secluded room in
the rear. | WIS too confused, too
startled to cen think clearly. Ny
| conception of this woman. her nature
and her purpose, had been changed a
dozen times during this brief CONVEX
sation. Even now / was utterly in
the dark. Did the woman know mel
or suspect the reason of my presence?
That was manlfestly impossible. She
was utterly strange TO me, and she
was not one TO be easily forgotten.
Why. then, did she trust me-if it was
| trust7
1t must be either that, or treachery
Of the foulest type. "24T lie Compile
street, could not recall the neigh
borhood, only vague conception of
red brick buildings of exactly the
same general probably fairly
respectable boarding houses. And
was to ask for Miss Conrad" Who
might she be? Not the lady had just
left. surely. for she was scheduled to
take the midnight train for Washing
ton. Miss Conrad" might be any,
thing-a strange woman, an accom-
plice. even a disguised policeman. II
masked some trick surely, of which
was quite liable to be the victim; be.
hind my lady's smiling eyes, and
cheerfulness. there was surely some
marked purpose. This was the i'm
preston with which l ended-that fol