Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-03-16
CHAPTER x-Continued.

She went extremely pale and put out
her hand to grasp something for sup
port as if she were going TO fall. She
saw him rise up slowly, an expression
of amazement and relief going across
his face She smiled. but what weary
little smile ii was and how full of
pleading, as if she were silently beg
ging him TO forgive her for some deed
she'd done.
John Pendlehaven gazed at the two
young people, and then he too got to
his feet.
philip" he said abruptly. this is
Tonnibel Devon. She's Paurs com
panion. We have"
Philip interrupted the speaker by
his sudden bound around the table.
''Tony Devon, little Tony" he cried.
81 thought, oh, l thought you were
dead. Thought I'd lost you forever"
A noise fell from Katherine's lips,
and Mrs. Curtis stumbled to her feet.
$50 you know her too, Philip" she
snarled with a hasty glance at her
pallid daughter 81 thought we'd kept
her well out of your way. So you've
played the sneak while eating bread and
butter in my house, miss" she blurted
at Tony. "Well, it's what one might
have expected of you-you huzzy."
Mother gasped Katherine, as Ton
nibel snatched her hands from Philip.
"Kathie, you needn't mother mew
cried Mrs. Curtis. blind with rage.
EITHER she goes away or do. won't
STAY in Tie house with common
sneak-a common"
Sarah. sit down. Numbered John
Pendlehaven. Don't speak another
such word or"
Tony was at the doctors side be-
fore he could finish mis- threat.
81 didn't sneak" she said, looking up
at him. "Oh, please-please believe
me-"
THAT she didn't" cried Philip COM
ing to her side. Cousin John. I've
known Tony Devon ages. and didn's
even know she was in this houses He
turned his flashing eyes upon Mrs. Cur
It's, who was weeping Historically.
you ought to be ashamed of yourself,
Cousin Sarah" he went on, "to use
such language to a perfectly nice little
sgirl. Why. you've just about broken
her heart"
His voice had sunk TO passionate
whisper. His eyes misted in youthful
struggle TO control his joy, and-and
at the sight of him, Katherine lost her
wits entirely.
who and what have we been har-
boring In this house, Cousin John?-
she shrieked in high thin voice. strug-
Cling TO her feet "A gutter rat. lit
tie snake, a loose girl"
Each word, brought out with greater
vehemence and passion than the one
before. struck the listeners dumb In
shame-faced misery TOnnibel sank to
the floor. dropping her head into her
hands.
ooh, no. I'm not that" she walled.
MY mummy never lived in the gutter:
she never did. was poor. awful
poor
Poor" exclaimed Katherine. You're
worse thai poor. suppose you've
wheedled Philip the same way you
have Cousin Paul"
katherine, l commend you TO be
silent" shouted Pendlehaven. IF you
say another word. / shall ask you TO
leave my house.
well, never!" screamed Mrs. Cur
it's.
"And you too. Sarah" thrust in the
doctor. I'VE don't know the truth Of
this thing. but / know very well that
Tony Devon Is not a bad girl"
THAT she is not" interjected Philip.
''Now Ill tell you all about it."
AS soln Pendlehaven raised her TO
her feet. Tonnlbel lifted her head and
fixed her fearful eyes on Captain Mac
CauIey.
you promised you'd never ten any
body" she murmured. Her mind was
with the dead Edith Devon, and the
words Of her own serious reverent
oath given in the presence Of her Wild
eyed mother would not allow Ter 10