Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

says she, nesting closer to him. And,
| in an awed tone, when will you you tell
her about it, George?"
She hesitates so admirably over the pro-
nouncing of his name that George laughs,
and, catching up the pretty hand, kisses
the pink palm with rapture.
| First thing tomorrow, says he. ''To
| tell you the truth, think she has an ink
| ling of it; she said something about you
the other day that looked as if she was
| jealous"
''She couldn't be jealous-she doesn't
| love-" says Dorothy with conviction.
| ''Oh'' with little, long-drawn sigh, ut
is dreadful to feel jealous
You needn't have felt it, " says he, ten
derby.
but l did. l cculdn't bear to think she
was to belong to you, whilst l. Well,
with happy little sigh this time that
brings tears into her eyes. I'm not
| jealous now, | wonder what she'll say to
you?"
Give me good day, no doubt, and re-
ioice over a ouittance of bad rubbish.
After all, she was throwing herself away.
A girl with a couple of millions might
sasily have made her own of better match
than | am likely to prove.
''She could have made no better match,
Indignantly. ''Oh!" starting, sis that
Agnes calling? Oh, come. let US run!
We have been here a dreadfully long
time.
It'll tomorrow them says he, catching
her in his arms and kissing her. ''Tomor-
row, pray Heaven, will leave me free to
tell all the world that love you.
Tomorrow, however, brings it own plans
| With the hot water at eight which man
brings him, a veritable bombshell in the
shape of a letter, comes and blows all his
intents to pieces.
His uncle, Lord Farnhan. is dead. So
writes Lord Franham's lawyer, and has
left his nephew not only the title, which
he could not keep from him, but his entire
fortune, 1000 year. At the last the
name had been too much for the old man.
He had given his all for the keeping up of
it. He had given up his revenge, though
if he had known it, he could hardly have
made his nephew more unhappy than by
the bestowal OF this most unlocked for
gift
{ How is he to go to Miss Morland now
and demand his liberty? With the title
and the fortune, too, on his hands, how is
he to ask her to break off his engagement?
His soul sinks like lead within him. 1t
was such an open engagement between
them, she to give money, he the title, that
now when he finds himself independent of
her money it seems impossible so ask her
| to let him go free from the detested bond.
| A last fight for life animates him. He
after breakfast and put the case fairly be-
fore her. If she still elected to adhere to
their original contracts be it. Good-by
then to life, and joy, and happiness. The
| honor that alone remains will be but poor
comforter knowledge of Miss Morland
tells him that she will be very likely to
assert her rights and decide on keeping
her hold of title and estate. He manages
to ask her for few minutes alone with
him before leaving the breakfast-room.
Something new in her face as she answers
granting the required interview
strikes him at the moment, but not forci
bly,. Of late her moods have been very
variable
"Now?" asks he
1.-The sooner the better, returns she
shortly. 1.-THE library is always vacant at
this hour. Shall we go there?''
"A good place, says he, trying to look
calm, while his heart is humping violent
ly against his side, as though it would
burst its bonds.
Look here, says Miss Morland, as he
closes the library door behind him. Zone
word is as good as ten" this is the usual
graceful style in which she carries on her
conversational know quite well why you
are here, and | may as well have the first
| we On oh of nd | IN OH
of you That's it-isn't it?"
Real -?" begins Brooke feebly.
He is indeed so overpowered by the bril-
liancy of this attack that he finds words
difficult to him.
1.-The fact is,'' goes on Miss Morland,
waving his attempt at reply aside with
gesture of her large, firm hand 81 don't
think there is the remotest chance of the
old gentleman dying. Farnhan you know
and you without the title aren't good
enough"
Il can quite understand that" says he,
gravely, shocked at her coarseness. 1T
is, however, pity that you didn't think
of that sooner. | presume it was never
me, that it was only the title
well, as far as that goes" says she,
81 presume it was never me either. 1t
was only the money At this he colors
holly. She laughs. docs that trouble
you?" says she. "Well money;;clings to
money. you know, and have decided that
one in the hand is worth two in the
bush" This is dark saying to him. but
time explains it. 1.-The truth is | saw
Lork Farnhan in town just before | came
down here, and he looks as if he would last
forever; as if he wauld never get older.
mo, he will never get older" repeats
Brooke in curious tone. With the old
man lying dead, this heartless speech of
hers-this cruel longing for his death
sounds even more detestable than it would
were he living. He himself did not love the
lord. but had never wished him dead
LAS to that, | suppose he will have to
whether he likes it or not, says she,
vindictively. But don t feel inclined to
wait for him. And-er-as Lord Tot
'Yes?" says he, his heart giving a
great bound
LAS Lord Tottenham asked me last
night to marry him, | decided that it
would be better to bring our engagement
to an end
Il am to understand, then, that you are
about to marry Lord Tottenham? p asks he
formally, subduing all expression of his
relief by a supreme effort. So Tottenham
was the bird in hand!' A tough one
truly.
Exactly So
You are wise in your generation,
says he, with a passing smile. And
sound in your proverbs.
events says she, with a shriII laugh. II
WIS n This ar hot I