Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-04-27
cHApTgR xv-contlnued.

Is
"a minute. mater" he said softly.
"Just a minutel I've seen Tony De-
von's father. Therel. Now sit down,
old lady, while tell you something.
BY says the only way is to kidnap her
bodily and force her 10 marry the
man he promised her to-" the boy ex-
planned. "iHhat do you think OF
that?"
paul would kill him." gasped Mrs.
Curtis, her eyes taking on an express
sion of fear.
"He won't have a chance If Devon
works out his present scheme" re-
piled Reggie, but you and kathie
have to help us"
In the terror that overlook her,
Mrs. Curtis shook her head.
81 don't want anything TO do with
It," she objected. wobbling in tears.
"We'd lose our home. Paul and John
would turn us out. They've threat
ened TO many timer
"Well. when l assure you our he
loved cousins won't know anything
about it, not even after it's over,
won't you try &c help us?' queried the
young man. Nov, if it goes through
all right, you catch Cousin John on
the rebound, and Kathie'd be sure to
rope in Phil"
what Joy that would be-" ejacu-
lated Mrs. Curtis. "What about it?'
Then Reggie told her, in very low
tones, the plan they had concocted.
You talk it over with Kathie, he
advised, lighting cigarette, and
you'll have to see Devon about the
money"
an get 1t for him If / have to sell
my jewels and Kathie's too" prom
ised the woman. her eyes sparkling in
anticipation. "I'll go and tell her
right away"
Meanwhile, all unconscious that
Uriah Devon had been released from
prison and was conspiring against
her, Tonnibel Devon was entering
heart and soul into the Salvation
Army work with Philip. Each eve
ming she went with him to headquar-
tiers where her fresh, young voice and
her kindJiness drew many poor soul
for comfort and courage.
One week after Reginald Curtis
had confided his secret TO his moth
er, and she had told it over again in
whispers to Katherine at an hour
when the Pendlehaven brothers were
absent, Uriah Devon came quietly to
the house. Reggie met him and took
him Immediately to Mrs. Curtis room.
Uriah paused embarrassedly before
her, made curt bow and twisted his
cap between his fingers.
"Sit down, Ry." invited Reggie.
Nov tell my mother how you are GO
Ing to carry this thing out"
Uriah' sat on the edge of chair.
81 amt goin' TO do anything, or tell
what I'm goin' to do, till l get the
money" he said crisply. ave got to
have five thousand dollars first"
give thousand dollars, old lady,"
grinned Reggie, turning to his mother.
you'll have to cough up. .
Now, for Gods sake, don't cry Dig r
"I'll need the whole five thousand
10 get ct AWAY anu W hStp et amer
I get er. She'd come streakin' back
If don't rope 'er up
''1'll get the money for you tomor-
row." sighed Mrs. Curtis. wiping her
eyes, "and You mustn't come here
when my cousins are home She re-
lapsed into silence and then added /:
81 warn you against-against Philip
MaeCauley too"
Mrs. Curtis had been all eyes and
ears for even the slightest happening
in the Pendlehaven home, since she
had almost stripped her jewel-box
and Katherine's to get the money
Tony's father demanded Now she
had 1t tucked away. ready to deliver
it. but as tie time went by and she
had no chance 10 send for Uriah to
come for his daughter. she began to