Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-01-02

wall. Through this the horses turned,
and dashing up a drive, stopped be-
fore stone house, with a tall tower
and rows of lighted windows, stand
ing in forest of Norway frs.
A footman opened the door. Esther
and Hagan followed him across a
wainscoted hall, where wax-lights
shone in old wrought-silver seon"es,
and the Iackey, pushing aside por-
there, called, "The parties from the
inn, sir" and waved the pair into
room beyond.
1t was a splendid apartment, fur
nishcd in subdued colors, and warmed
by blazing Yule-log. In the glow of
the fire stoou an invalid-chair, cush-
toned like a sultan's couch; in it re-
clined a man, young in wears, but pale
and wasted His languid head, resting
against the silken pillows, was thatched
with smooth fiaxcn hair, and he wore
a forked beard of tile same hue.
A black velvet dressing gown
wrapped his long, gaunt figure; against
the rich fabric lay his hands, like SYM
meirical pieces of Parian-on one, a
ring, set with a big diamond, threw
back the flash and sparkle of the Yule-
log.
81 saw YOU on the common to-
night" began Adam Brockholt, as he
turned to his visitors. 81 could not
drive you from my thoughts, SO sent
my servant to bring you here"
"Sir," cried old Hagan, fumbling at
his bag of medicine, '.hcrc are six bot
ties of my elixir. Whatever your dis
ease may be, Pm ready to warrant a
The jcwcled hand checked him
quickly.
THAT stuff! Don't let me see it,"
He beckoned Esther forward.
"Your name?" he said.
esther HEATH
"Then you are not this mans daugh-
ter? Who taught you the sword-exer-
cise?"
"My father, sir-he kept fencing
school--he is now dead"
sis it true that Ilagan saved your
life a month ago?"
She grew shade paler.
eyes"
"And brought you to your present
physical perfection by the use of his
nostrumy'
ono; ! was never i'll, sir-it is part
of our business to say that. He saw
me drowning in river-he pulled me
out"
Old Hagan turned his head and
coughed. Brockholt did not seem to
hear him-he was gazing fixedly at the
girl. The freight seemed TO draw
blue sparks from his eyes, as it did
from the ring on his hand.
IL will ask You but one more ques-
tion." he said. "IIave You husband
or lover?-ties of any kind?"
"No."
.'Then, look at me. have been i'll
for long time. go abroad only in
my carriage. A sick man has many
whims-l ask you 10 be my
wife. You don't understand |
how could youP | have not long |
to live, but want something strong,
bright, beautiful To look at while /
sight is left me--the attendance of 1
some one who is not a hired servant.
fancy that the little life in me may
waste less rapidly with such creature /
as you by my side"
The girl stood wonder-stIicken.
Old Hagan uttered a protesting cry. I
'sSir, YOU will ruin my busincss!" 4
he said. 81 can't get on without |
Esther! She agreed TO travel with me
for the present. shall hold her to her
bargain. That sword-exercise is
worth everything TO me"
Brockholt silenced him with ges-
ture, and reaching toward the girl,
took her passive hand in his own.
.This quack employs Won TO exhibit
yourself for the sale of his bogus med
icine. Ii is not good life for you.
| will take you from il this very hour.
AT best cannot last long, and You
will be left rich widow, with no pos
sibility of future want. VIII YOU
marry me tonight? Answer Yes or
No.
She looked around the sumptuous
room. Outside were hurting winds
aud snow and darkness-long frozen
roads for tired feet To travel, and the
wolf of want always waiting; within
were warmth. ease, splendor--and that
man on his silken cushions.
.Nes," answered Esther Heath, Il
will marry YOU"
He rang bell sharply. a man-ser-
want answered il.
~
nearest clergyman" commanded
Brockholt; then, turning TO IIagan, he
added: ..Wait here, and witness her
after which you shall name
a figure that will fully compensate You
for her loss, and 20 ont of my gates
assured that you can never see her
againl"