Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-11-05


financial deal had added considerab bly,
TO his fortune, and ne was gay accord
inglv; ye. his smile grew a trife grim
when told of Barbara's engagement.
Il thought she'd make him forget the
other woman, but I'm afraid men are
faithless creatures anyway. I'm true
as anybody to love, but not to its per-
sonifcation. thought l had left my
heart safely in New York, and now /
believe it's in Mexico. Stunning crea-
ture I met down there But senti-
mental regrets could not cloud Mr..
Warnings satisfaction IN his financial
success. lie beamed upon the world
like a full-risen sun and returned
thanks for his good fortune in liberal
donations TO favorite charities and q
diamond pin to Barbara.
Il was two days after his return that
he received another foreign letter, and
ne recognized james Noel's handwrit-
ing before be broke the seal.
DEAR WAaNG: regret exceedingly that
troubled you with that former letter about
my son He ala not sail for America but Sc
cretly married the widow Ihe bad taste OF
the matrimonial AFFAIR still fingers bitter
around my mouth. bat there's no use worrying
now. and our darghter-2n-Iaw is staying with
Us. By the way
Warning did not stop to turn over the
PAGE and finish the letter IIe felt his
hair rising, and ana gue creeping down
his back. Young Noel still abroad and
married. Then what Of this other man
who bore his name, who had won Bar
bara. An adventure? The thought
was awful
Twenty minutes later he rushed into
Mrs Warnings apartment, breathless,
turbulent, the open letter still in his
hand. The drawing room was free of
visitors. Mrs. Col. Waring reclined by
the open fire absorbed in book, while
half way down the room Barbara sat
radiant, talking with Noel. War
ing felt like springing upon the young
villain for holding the girls hand, but
restrained himself. because such a
course would be unwise as well as lack
ing in dignity. Still his anger increased
with every stride he took forward into
the room. Mrs. Waring sprang nimbly
to her feet.
Good heavens! Tom, what's the
matter?''
The devils to pay" he cried fierce
~" That man is a-a--the Lord only
knows what" his voice falling him, one
finger pointed at Noel.
What Is the rlatter?" inquired the
young man also rising.
Matter, sir, matter, you ask me the
matter? Read that and you'll find out.
Oh, it shows you up well," thrusting
the letter into his hand. Mrs Waring
looked on in disgust, disquieted and vet
firm. Noel read the letter hastily, his
face clearing. He remembered Warning
as he had first seen him and thought he
the situation.
You are a little excited now" he
said pleasantly, even amusedly. II
think you must have missed part of this
letter. 1t explains the situation pretty
well, and-and-"he broke into hearty
laugh. i feel very much as though L
had stepped out of pink-bound story
book. He has mistaken my identity,
Barbara, he has mistaken it quite seri-
ously.''
There was twinkle in his eye, but
he noted with surprise that Barbara's
face wore an expression of puzzled
Waring began reading the
letter aloud. by the wayne read
where he had left ff-s.my
nephew, Aliens son, writes me that he
has settled in New York and knows
you as well as some of your relatives.
[ hope he'll be more successful in his
art than his father was in business.
Poor Allen, you must remember what a
dreamy, impractical fellow he was.''
Waring paused, feeling decidedly blank.
Noel's face softened to tenderness.
Poor father! We felt satisfied with
each other. We didn't care for the
you would have loved him,
Barbara" Then he looked again at
ler. s0h, pardon me- ] did not think.
Of course / have only my art. and three
thousand a year, not much olive upon.
But didn't realize, didn't know the
money might make difference to you.
How blind and selfish of me Under
the circumstances it is more than need
less for me to explain to you how free
you are-Miss Warning
The Goals dropped softly in the CRATE.
Between rage and disappointment Mrs.
Col. Waring had been almost paralyzcd.
But the attitude of her daughter con-
soled her. and Noel's words were like
balm to her heart
You have at least earned the good
will OF both Barbara ana me by APP
the situation So perfectly"
She finally said, addressing him. Il
shall always consider you friend Of
The family, one of our best friends, in
fact, her tone beginning to take on a
Linge Of effusiveness. Barbara is such
h i ii