Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-01-13
tress for Ravensmere! I have no fault
to find with her. but shall never like

tress for RayenSmere! l nave no rant
to find with her. but | shall never like
her.
So he thought, as in few brief words
the money lender introduced his client to
his daughter There was nothing awk-
ward in her manner, but she was shy
frightened She answered The few ques-
tons he asked-ner voice was sweet and
clear, with true ring about it that he
liked-and then re,apsed into silence.
Her father asked her for a set o. en-
cravings, and, as she crossed the room,
Lord Carayon saw that she had queenly
head, crowned with a profusion OF beauti-
full dark hair; she also had pleasant
grace of movement that for an uniformed
school girl was rare.
rs it to be Yes or 'No?'" asked Arley
Ransome, as his daughter passed for
minute or two cut Of sight. 1ou nave
seen Hildred now-you can judge Tor
yourself; give me your answer.
With sudden smile-ard it was Won
derful how that smile changed his face
Lord Caraven turned to his host.
Il really Think he said, that she is
emphatically nice girl-too nice to be
sacrificed"
'It is no sacrifce-she will be happy"
replied her father. do you say Yes or
No, my lord? Time is money to me-
you give me less time for consldera-
ton than you would give to a man buying
a picture" he replied. Il see no hope in
any other way; if l did, | should refuse.
1 tell you frankly that l shall never like
your daughter; you thrust her upon me;
you make her the only plank between my
miserable self and the dark waters of
death. / shall never like her-frst Of all,
because she is your daughter, secondly,
because she is not at all the style of girl
that do admire"
''You are very frank my lord. Will you
answer me one question? DO you love
any one else"
The young earl looked puzzled.
'"The fact isl he said, 'that | have
loved so many, | really
what | mean is, you are not betrothed
you have never made an offer OF mar
riage to any one else?'
81 have not had time even to think Of
marriag e-that is why | dislike the idea
of it now"
''Then that settles the matter You say
Yes and I say Yes Hildred will be
willing-girls love position, and she is
very proud
Something akin to pity stirred the earl's
heart.
What is Miss Ransome's age" he
asked.
''She will soon be eighteen replied the
lawyer.
"And," said Lord Caraven, $50 young
as that, do you feel no reluctance at CIV
ing her to man who tells you honestly
that he will never like her?'
''You will like her we'll enough in time"
replied the lawyer. ''Some of the happi-
est marriages in the world have begun
with a little aversion
your daughter shall be Countess Of
Carayen; she shall go to court; she shall
be the leading lady of the county; she
will have the family diamonds and all
that vain women most desire-but l shall
never love her, and, what is more, l shall
never even pretend to do So"
Ariey Ransome laughed.
''Hildred will do very we'll without
that he replied. ''Then the bargain is
struck, my lord We will say nothing
to my daughter to-day; tomorrow | will
speak to her myself. Allow me to con-
graduate you; you are a free man now,
Lord Caraven, and wealthy one"
Go be continued.)