Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-02-15

/ also located the thick roll of bills
In her bag, Stealthily. yet unmistak-
ably, came the sound of some one
1 moving up the rough stair. She could
distinctly hear the muffied breathing.
I the pauses made as II TO listen.
"Who is thereT she cried. her voice
shaking. Silence answered. Then.
| presently. on again came the shutting
across the boards, nearer, nearer. II
there were only a gIimmer of light.
that she might find way TO escape.
To walt in the darkness was unbear-
| able.
/ From the amphitheater came the
song Of a hundred singers. What use
TO call for help II help were needed7
A heavy body brushed the screen
door at her very side. Desperately
/ Cynthia arose and CROPPED along the
railing At the front was a pillar. a
| round, veranda pillar. If she could
I find this, clasp her arms about It and
/ slide TO the ground She would try.
! An instant she stood dangerously sus-
/ pended upon the narrow outer ledge.
One high-heeled white slipper felt its
/ way. then Cynthia slipped safely and
breathlessly to the ground.
| Swift as her own descent the lights
fiared on again. and she found her
self staring wide-eyed and startled
/ into the bewildered face of a man
crouched upon the lower step.
"By Jovei7 muttered the man.
"YOu-you cowardi" burst out Gym
I thia.
Whether IT was the suddenness of
her downward flight or the unexpect-
ed proximity Of the burglar which
changed Cynthia's fright to indIgna-
I ton. she could not tell. but she
1 stamped her white shoe on the ground
and faced the shrinking young man.
"You knew I was here alone and un-
protected" she accused, "and so you
I thought"
"Where is Mrs MnlerY' the man
brusquely interrupted
Cynthia stood speechIess at the
GOODNESS of the question. It was evil
dent that her ruse as TO companion
had deceived him. Perhaps It would
DC WISE W SUN C6TTF IL OU.
Because" the man continued,
quietly. 'if Mrs. Miller is inside.
would like to speak to her. She may
be able to explain the eccentrieities
Of this religious Assembly: where a
man is left suddenly In the middle Of
darkened wood, to hit his head
against every tree that he passes en-
route TO the home in which he Is as
| signed to be entertained; and where,
4 from out the darkness. n voice mys-
teriously speaking Mrs. Miller's name,
leads him to this abode. When he
I congratulates himself upon locating
with difficulty the front step, flying
female figure descends upon him, in
glare of sudden light. from above"
The young man mopped his brow.
tive been over a good bit Of the
EARTH" he said, "India-the jungle
but for real excitement this night
beats It ALL"
In growing trepidation, Cynthia
sank Imply down upon the step at
/ the intruder's side. One drawled sem
tence fingered in her mind. At Mrs.
/ MiIler's house, he had said, he was
assigned to be entertained"
The mans appearance under sane
inspection was decidedly not that of
burglar. Mocking the shocked grav-
| fty Of his face, his dark eyes twinkled
I humorously.
"Who-are Your faltered Cynthia.
my name" he replied. sis Raymond
Randall. My mission here to dilate
upon present remedy for the Ills of
the universe In general"
Across Cynthla's mentality flashed
a memory OF a certain perfectly, pre-
pared speech Of Introduction; also, OF
! one gray demure dress suitable for
the occasion.
'1The noted DR.. Randallf" she
gasped.
He leaned back and smiled at her
awestruck face.
1 "Why, / don't know" he remarked
"a few moments ago you addressed
me as coward"
Then Cynthia in pulck compunction
told the story of her evening; creak-
ingly the screen door opened behind
the two as they sat and a great bull
dog lounged out upon the veranda,
shufEling as he came and breathing
heavily.
"The dog from next doorI" cried
the girl
''Your burglar" said the man.
Far away the singing ceased; home
ward TO other verandas came the AS
sembly throng.
Upon the lower step, talking low.
stIll sat Cynthia and her companion
Twice Grace and Mrs. Miller endeav-
ored TO make their presence known.
II am glad you had company" said
Grace. "We were worried about you
when the electricity failed Only the
hotel and amphitheater are provided
with gas. Cynthia may | meet your
friend?"
Cynthia glanced up absently; the
young mans manner as he arose was
also preoccupled.
Certainly" answered the girl. "Dr.
Randall. Mrs. Miller, Miss Bowen"
Il am sorry rot to have been here
to welcome you. DR.. Randall" said
Mrs. Miller. I'VE were not expecting
YOU until tomorrow evening"
Cynthia smiled. 81 welcomed him.