The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-03-11
Hazel Qsirk looked quickly at Lord Ira

Hazel Quirk looked quickly at Lord Ira
verse Bay, the love.light beaming forth from
her eyes with tender radiance that told more
plainly than could any words, the deep affec'
ton she bore him; but there was IN the look
pleading usefulness, a sense OF trustiul Sc
curity that touched his very heart. She did
not speak, but, placing dimped arm around
his neck, drew his face down ana Kissed MN
with soft, meeting, three tor.tifty cents Kiss
that she kept on tap only for him, and then
her eyes shone forth again the love that her
lips could not utter, while the dropping mouth
quivered as il in pain. a
"You are not we'll, darling" said Percy
Hanatin (his weekday name in agoniZed
tones, the words nearly choking him as he
spoke. Let me bring your vinaigrette, or a
bottle of seltzer-a quaf or two OF that would
revive you"
But Hazel only laid her head on his shout
der, wound her white arms around his neck,
and began TO sob as if her heart would break,
INV God, Hazel what have done to cause
YOU this bitter anguish? Speak, my angel ;
speak, and tell me wherein the fault lies. De,
mand of me any sacrifice, no matter how
great, and 1t shall be cheerfully made. have
a large red apple in my overcoat pocket, and
1t shall be yours-all yours-iI you Will only
speak,
Slowly from the shoulder blade rose the lit.
lie head, with its mass of brown curls, slowly
turned the pure, beautiful face Of Hazel Quirk,
until Percy again looked down into those eyes
that had so lately beamed forth merry glsnces,
and saw once more the little nose that had so
often burrowed In his vest. "GOu will surely
keep your promise 2" Hazel asked between the
convulsive sobs that seemed to be breaking
her heart and seriously dlsarranglng her liver.
"Of course | will, my sweet" replied Percy.
"YOu shall have the apple"
"And is 1t a really and truly red one" asked
the girl, again sobbing as If her heart would
break.
"Yes, my love"
"Hope to die, If 1t ain'tg'-this between the
sobs.
"Yes," said Percy.
"Crlss cross'"
Yes dear"
"Well,"-and here she broke down afresh,
but finally mastered her grief and spoke
"Papa has soaked the mill"
"Whatw exclaimed Percy, in tones of aston.
lshment, Soaked the mill that has been his
home so long?"
"Same mill" replied Hazel, wringing out
her handkerchief and fishing up a dry one
from the sleeping car of her polonalse.
well that is sad, indeed" SAID Percy; shut
what matters it to us?"
"Ah! you do not understand" sObbed the
girl; you do not drop"
"Why, what do you mean, Hazel? You
have concealed something from me- else why
this Juggling with wOrds?'
81 mean Percy" said Hazel, in low, bitter
tones, "that the mill IS mortgaged, and that
ana to pay the debt"
What! my Hazel collateral security? 1t
cannot must not be-"
"But it ls,' was the fearful response
81 care not" exclaimed the young man
"You shall not be sacrificed, | will marry
you tomorrow, and thwart this vile plan OF
jim Rodney's."
"You will" said the girl looking at him
eagerly, and Jumping lightly from his knee.
! 81 will"
The little head fell on his shirt front with a
dull thud
Hazel had tainted.
Placing her carefully on fauteuil, Lord
Traverse Bay kissed the tearstained cheeks
and started out to borrow q dollar and hall
from his mother with which to get the mar
rage license As the sound Of his footsteps
died away, Dunstan Qulrk entered the room
where Hazel was lying She rose as he opened
the door, and smiled family.
Did you give him the racket, sis ?" the ole
man asked.
Yes papa"
"And did he fall into the metz
81 should smile" replied Hazel.
suckers are pretty thick this winter, my
child" SAID Dunstan Quirk, land you're tn,
girl that can land them"