The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-04-06

drove back to Bed
ford Square.
Observation-Disclosures Dick was relieved
to see how quickly
the open air restored the color to Ca
milla's cheeks; she was herself again
by the time they reached home, and
seemed to have recovered even the
gaiety which had been conspicuously
absent from her manner all the morn
ing.
He stayed an hour or two, and was
induced to tell many stories of the sea.
The colonel listened for some time, and
then excused himself on the plea of hav-
ing letters to write. But l hope you
will dine with u.s. he added.
"Thank you," said Dick, ruefully; Il
wish I could; but my lawyer is coming
to see me on business at o'clock; he is
an old family friend, and | asked him
to stay to dinner" And, in fact; he
tore himself away soon afterward.
When he had seen him out of the house
the colonel came back to the drawing
room smiling and rubbing his hands to-
gether with an appearance of great
good humor.
"Wel, Camilla he said, "and when
will it be convenient to you to pay me?'
"Pay you What?"
"Have you forgotten? You wagered
your fortune that Estcourt would not
help u.s."
She started to her feet; terror, in
credulity, anger, and terror again,
flashed in her glance and shook her
voice.
well" she cried, what then; what
then?"
"Why, then, of course, you have lost"
"You are lying" she cried, fiercely.
'sThat would be useless here he
said; zone can not deceive oneself. But
surely" he expostulated, "you can't
pretend to have misunderstood him all
this timer?
What timer" she asked, in faint de-
spair.
'This morning." he replied. Il
changed my mind again, and decided
in favor of writing. At 1890 sent him
that if he kept our appointment for IL
o'clock at Great Russell street should
understand him to have accepted our
proposal He kept the appointment, as
you know; you saw the friendliness
with which he met his new confeder-
ates, Carnac and Rabodanges; and T.
am surprised he continued, that he
did not hint to you his acceptance Of
your cause and your guidance"
"You have ruined mans honor
she cried, land a woman's happiness;
but you shall not have your way with
both of US; if he goes with you, I stay
behind" And she left the room before
he could find an answer.
Dick, in the meantime, stepped with
a swinging pace along the streets, look
ing exultantly back upon the brightest
day in his memory, and forward to a
yet brighter one tomorrow. He sprang
UP the stairs to his room, and burst
gaily in. His glance Travelled to the
mantel-piece, where his letters were
usually placed; today there were two,
and he hummed a tune as he took them
in his hand. They were both from
known correspondents, and quite I'M
interesting: but a third, lying near
them, was directed in handwriting
that he had never seen before.
He was surprised to find, on turning
it over, that this last one had been al
ready opened, but he Immediately for
got this in his establishment at the con-
tents.
The letter was not signed, but there
was no miStaking the source from
which it came; the words my sister-in-
law and T. brought a flush to his face.
He was amazed, bewildered, over
whelmed
Before he could collect his scattered
senses the door opened, and "Mr. Wick
erby" was announced. On the TIRES
| hold stood the lawyer he had been ex-
pecting, a gray-haired, sharp-eyed, pre-
cise-looking man of SO or more, with
his hat in one hand and bag in the
other.
Good day, SIR he said. And then,
with a quick glance from Dicks trou-
bled face to the paper in his hand he
added: Anything wrong? No bad
| news, l hope?"
Dick jumped to his feet, took the hat
bag from his visitor, and drew chair
up to the fire for him.
'You must excuse me. Mr.. Wicker
by he said; I'm in {. regular maze
over this extraordinary note
LET me see," said the lawyer.
Dick mechanically handed it over to
him, and tried to put his own ideas in
order while the other read in silence.