Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-02-25

ana oemano his iiDertyg Win the title
and the fortune. too, in both his hands,
how is he TO ask her to break of his en-
gagementl His soul sinks like lead
within him. 1t was such an open ar
rangement between them, she TO give
money, he the title, that now when he
finds himself independent of her money
1t seems impossible TO ask her TO let
him go free from the detested bond.
A last fight for life animates him. He
will seek an interview with Miss Nor
land after breakfast and put the case
fairly before her. If she still elected 10
adhere to their original contract, SO be
it, Goodby then to life and joy and
happiness. The honor that alone re-
mains 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 q few minutes alone with him
before leaving the breakfast room.
Something new in her face as she an
swers him-granting the required in
terview-strikes him at the moment,
but not forcibly. OF late her moods
have been very variable.
''Now?' asks he
1.-The sooner the better, returns she
shortly. ''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
violently against his side, as though it
would burst its bonds.
"Louk here, says Miss Morland as
he closes the library door behind him.
lone word is as good as ten"-this is
the usual graceful style in which she
carries on her conversation. 81 know
quite well why you are here, and may
as well have the first word. You are
sick of me, and I'm sick of you. That's
itF'
Really begins Brooke feebly. He
is indeed so overpowered by the bril-
liancy Of this attack that he finds words |
difficult to him.
'"The fact is, "goes on Miss Morland, |
waving his attempt at a reply aside
with gesture of her large, firm hand,
II don't think there is the remotest
chance Of the old gentleman dying
Farnham, you know-and you without
the title aren't good enough -
II can quite understand that" says
he gravely, shocked at her coarseness.
'lt is, however, pity you didn't think
Of that sooner. presume it was never
ne then; it was only the title"
"Well, as far as that goes, says she,
i presume it was never me either. It
vas only the money" At this he colors
lotly. She laughs. "Does that trouble
7ou?" says she. "Well, money olings
70 money, you know. and have decided
hat one in the hand is worth two in
he BUSH" This is dark saying to
lin, but time explains it, "The truth is
saw Lord Farnham in town just be-
ore came down here, and he looks as
he would last forever--as if he would
lever get older.
mo, ho will never get Older" re-
'eats Brooke in curious tone. With
he old man lying dead, this heartless
peeoh of hers-this cruel longing for
lis death-sounds even more detestable i
han it would have were he living He
imself had not loved the old lord, but y
10 had never wished him dead. l.
"As to that, I suppose he will have y
o. whether he likes it Or not, says she 9
indictively. "But I don't feel inclin-
d to wait for him. And--er-as Lord
=
"Yes?" says he, his heart giving a !
reat bound. p
"As Lord Tottenham asked me last n
light to marry him, decided that it
'ould be better to bring our engage
tent to all end.
Il am to understand, then, that you 1
re- about to marry Lord Tottenham?" 5
SKIS he formally, subduing all express b