The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-04-13

| was glad to get away from him. AS
passed the head of the stairs in going to my
room. distinguished the sound-too dis
tant before to tell upon my dull ear-of Sir
Edmund's voice and the Judges; they were
in the library below. After dressing. |
joined them, and found Sir Edmund greatly
interested in Braces description of gold
mining i'll CALIFORNIA; subject upon which
he could be eloquent by the hour together.
On the 18th. Sir Edmund. Miss Lascelles,
and | rode over to Southampton. Miss
Lasceles was in her gayest, happiest mood.
and in her riding habit looked more charm
ing than ever.
In returning we met friend of Sir Ed
mund's; he accepted the invitation to take
lunch at the Abbey. and rode beside the
baronet ahead of us. We two took the hill
so slowly that coming to the crossroads.
we could not see Sir Edmund and his friend.
There were two ways TO the Abbey. After
little elaboration. Miss Lascelles laugh
ingly consented to take the longer one.
The morning was superb; the woods were
glorious. The rich. warm tints of the red
dening foliage were reflected on my beauti-
full companions cheek: her eyes seemed to
catch the glitter of the dew that still hung
on the gossamers. i forget what we talked
about, but she was full of mirth, and now
and then the still woods rang with the mu-
steal cadence of her laugh. But suddenly
| the smile died from her face. and she said:
! We forget poor little Lola"
And then, as if the words had conjured
up her presence, the girl appeared, swiftly
speeding between the red boles OF the fir
| trees. We stopped, and called
Lola, dear come and speak TO me-.
She stood still. and looked as If irres-
olute whether or not to respond to my APP
| peal.
Il viii stay here. Go to her." said Miss
LaScelles. softly.
But, as if she had OWNED my intention.
Lola shook her head mournfully, as she
had done before, and going her way was
presently hid by the tall brake. AS we
crossed the opening where we had previ-
ously seen her. looked back. and perceived
her standing in the same place gazing after
us. 1t was easy to conceive her misery.
and the bitter feelings of her heart. She
was unalte-ed. but was no longer the rough
toiler. grateful for tin OF water fetched
from the stream. All that was past.
was no longer her companion. l should
never. never more share her hard fare. and
look to her to lessen the hardsh:ps of exist
ence.
On the 10Th we went again into the woods,
but on foot, Miss Lascelles and l. straying
thither without purpose from the garden
where we met. We came to a stream
bridged by a single plank supported in the
middle. There had been hand rail. but it
had fallen away in decay. | gave her my
hand. the fear of falling made her clasp my
fingers tightly. She seemed to enjoy The
with the prettiest most bewitching express
sion imaginable. Her hand seemed to com
munlcate the quickened pulsatlon OF her
heart But 1t was not fear-it was intoxica-
uon-that agitated me; and when she put
her foot in safety on the bank. and looked
up into my face with bright laughter, 1 lost
my head completely, | kept her hand in
mine. and when she tried to withdraw it, |
forced it to my lips, and pressed kiss upon
it. The color left her check, and in a tone Of
| II, -.1....x n
Thornci" and l was ashamed. We walk cd
home, and were very, silent on the
way. / sought Sir Edmund at once
| and, finding him alone. told him
! that | wished to make his daughter my
wife, He was thunderstruck by this sudden
| and unexpected announcement.
Il love your daughter" | said, and | can
not stay in this house keeping my passion a
secret"
We'll" said he. with rather rueful pleas
antry, you have lost no time, Mr.. Thorne;
but it would have been a poor compliment
to my daughter had you failed to perceive
her charms"
Il should be dull, indeed, had she failed
to impress me-" replied
We talked for some time, and finally he
said with emotion:
Il must give up my dear child, sooner or
later Her happiness is dearer to me than
anything. and | can wish her no greater
blessing than to find good and worthy
At that moment Edith opened the door:
but. seeing US, she stopped i'll the en-
trance.
Come here, Edith" said Sir Edmund.
And. taking her hand he continued: Mr..
Thorne wishes you to be his wife; is that
your wish also?"
She buried her burning face in her
fathers shoulder; she could neither say yes
nor no.
1T is a question that should not be de-
cided hastily" the baronet continued; take
time, my dear. Meanwhile. l see no reason
for your leaving the house" he added, ad-
dressing me.
Unless Edith wishes it," the baronet
said, helping me out. True. Shall you
feel more at ease. dear. if Mr.. Thorne goes
| away-for a certain time, say? Shall
he go?"
Still screening her face Edith shook her
head, and then l knew that L had won
treasure greater than the Hesper diamond.
In the afternoon of the 10Th Sir Edmund
said:
Il have been looking at your engag ement.
Bernard, from a practical point of view, and
fact occurs to me that at such time as
this would probably escape you. That agree
ment of yours must be altered. You will
see that, for Edith's sake, what l call the
tOntine clause-a clause comforting upon
the survivor deceased partners share in
entails risk which she must not be ex-
posed to. You understand me?"
understood what he said perfectly. and
| agreed with him that the clause must be al
tered.
Consult with your partners" he said. "as
to what change is advisable / expect my
| lawyer here on the oath, and he can then
| draw up n legal agI cement in accordance
| with our general wish"
| l took the Judge into Van Hoeck's room
1 hat Nfr,lt .y1I h,
gagement to Miss LasceIles. Van Hoeck
was visibly alarmed when he heard this.
and when | went on TO say chat Sir Edmund
wished the clause altered by his lawyer on
the oath he said, quickly, in "a low voice:
The crafty old fox! What does he mean
by that?"
His meaning is obvious enough" l re-
piled. If marry Miss Lascelles, and die
she viii be dispossessed of my share in the
diamond. L can leave her only legacy OF
debt"
Yes, end that amt all on it," said the
Judge, dragging his wiry chin-tuft through
his hand and bending his brow. That amt
all by lump. We're playing with a marked
| card in the pack-a card as might tempt
ere a one on US to foul play"
What on earth do you mean? Speak
plainly if you can" said Van Hoeck. in
angry i'm patience.
We'll, I mean this ere" answered the
Judge, with slow impressiveness, that if
one OF my PARTNERS wasn't a gentleman and
tother wasn't helpless blind. I'm burned if
I'd go to bed without a six-shooter under
my pillow and my finger on the trigger /
don't allude to one any more'n another but
Wen just take Israel's word for gospel hat
every one is a thief if you give him chance
OF thievin'; end, at that rate, I'm Just as
likely as not to murder my two pardners,
end git the whole of thet diamond to nv
self. Consequently, you will allow tiitt the
squire has double reason for wantin' rhet
agreement altered; fur it amt only the
money he's got to secure on to his daugh-
ter, but her husbins life likewise. Time
enough for the young lady to be a wilder
in the nat'ral order of things in genial"
ITO EE CONTINUED