Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-04-05
'..Yes I have heard YOU, cries the nro-

Yes. | have heard YOU" cries the pro-
fessor. finging aside all restraints and
giving way to sudden, violent passion
the more violent. coming from one so
usually calm and Indifferent You have
come here today to try and get posses
sion, not only Of the fortune of a young
and innocent girl, but of her body and
soul as well. And it is me, me whom
you ask to be a party to this shameful
transaction. Her dead father left her to
my care, and | am to sell her to you,
that her money may redeem our name
from the slough into which you have
flung it? Is innocence to be sacrificed
that vice may ride abroad again? Look
here, says the professor, his face dead
ly white, you have come to the wrong
man. | shall warn Miss Wynter against
marriage with you, as long as there is
breath left in my body
Sir Hastings has risen too; his face is
dark red; the crimson flood has reached
his forehead and dyed it almost. black
Now, at this terrible moment, the like
ness between the two brothers, SO differ
ent IN spirit, can be seen: the flashing
eyes, the scornful lips, the deadly hatred.
1t is d shocking likeness, yet not to be
denied.
What do you mean, damn you?" says
Sir Hastings; he sWays a little as if his
passion is oyerpowering him, and clutches
feebly at the edge of the table.
Exactly what | have said retorts
the professor, fercely.
"You refuse then to go with me in
this matter?"
Finally. Even if | would, | could not.
have other views for her.
Indeed. Perhaps those other views in,
clude yourself. Arey you thinking of reserv-
ing the prize for your own special bene-
fit? A penniless guardian rich ward !;
as Il situation, it is perfect; full of possi-
bilities."
Take care" says the professor, adj
vancing a step or two.
Tut! Do you think / can't see through
your game?' says Sir Hastings, in his
most offensive way, which is nasty in
deed. ''You hope to keep me unmarried.
er, at the pace I'm going. ! know the
old jargon-l have it by heart-given a
year at the most, the title and the heiress
will both be yours! | can read you-I
-" He breaks off to laugh sardonical-
y, and the cough, catching him. shakes
cries he. I'm destroy your hopes yet.
I'll disappoint you. III marry! I'm a
young man yet-yet-with lifelong life
before me--life-"
A terrible change comes over his face;
he reels backward, only saving himself
by a blind clinging to bookcase OH his
right
The professor rushes to him and places
his arm around him. With his foot he
drags a chair nearer, into which Sir
Hastings falls with heavy groan. 1t is
only a momentary attack, however: i'll q
little while the leaden hue clears away,
and, though still CHASTITY, his face looks
more natural.
Brandy" gasps he family. The pro-
fessor holds it to his lips, and after a
minute or two he revives sufficiently to
be able to sit up and look around him.
Thought you had got rid of me for
good and ALL says he, with malicious
grin, terrible to see on his white, drawn
face. but I'll beat you yet! There!-
Call my felloW-he's below. Can't get
about without damned attendant in the
morning, now. But I'll cure all that.
I'll see you dead before go to my own
grave. Z"
Take your master to his carriage
says the professor to the man. who is
now on the threshold. The maunderings
of Sir Hastings-still hardly recovered
from his late fit-strike horribly upon his
ear, rendering him almost faint.