The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-12-24

darkening. DO you think l don't suffer
doubiy on your account? That l don't
feel the insolence of his behavior toward
you fourfold? There is but one excuse
for him and my mother. and that lies in
their terrible disappointment about my
brother-their eldest SON.
L know; you have told me" begins she,
quickly, but he interrupts her.
es, L have been more open with you
than you with me. l feel no pride where
You are concerned. OF course my broth
er's conduct toward them is no excuse for
their conduct toward you, but when one
has sore heart one is apt TO be unjust.
and many other things. You know what
a heart-break be has been TO the old neo-
pie, and is. A gambler, a dishonorable
gambler" He turns away from her, and
his nOstrils dilate little: his right hand
grows clinched Every spare penny they
possess had been paid over to him or his
creditors, and they are not overburdened
with riches. They had set their hearts on
him and all their hopes, and when he fail
cd them they fell back on me. The name
IS an old one: money was wanted. They
had arranged marriage for me that
would have been worldly wise. l, too, dis
appointed them
Oh she has sprung to her feet, and is
staring at him with Mortified eyes. a
marriage! There was some one else. Did
you ever mention this before
Now, Barbara. don't be the baby your
name implies says he, placing her firmly
back in her seat. Il didn't marry that
heiress. you know, which is proof that
loved you, not her
But she-she-" she stammers and
ceases suddenly, looking at him with 4
glance full Of question. Woman-like ev-
erything has given way to the awful
thought that this unknown had not been
unknown TO him-and that perhaps he had
admired loved
Couldn't hold a candle to you." says
he, laughing in spite Of himself at her cx-
preston, which, indeed. is nearly tragic.
You needn't smother yourself Ii char
coal because of her. She had made her
pile, or rather her father had, at Birming-
ham or elsewhere. | never took the trou-
bic to inquire, and she was undoubtedly
solid in every way. but | don't care for
the female giant: and 50 lyon know the
rest-I met you; | tell You this only to
soften your heart, if possible, toward
these lonely, imbittercd Old people of
mine
DO you mean that when your brother
disheartened them that they" She
pauscs.
mo. They couldn't make me their heir.
The property is strictly cntailed. You
need not mako yourself miserabl, irlagin-
ing you have done me out Of ANYTHING
more than their good will. Eeorgn will in
herit whatever he has left them to leave"
ut IS sad" says She, with downcast
eyes.
Yes. He has been a constant source of
annoyance to them ever since he left
Eton.'
Where is he now
Abroad, | believe. In Italy. some
where, or France-not far from a gaming
table. you may be sure But l know moth
ing very exactly. as he does not CORE
spond with me. and that letter OF this
morning is the first have received from
my father for four years.
He must, indeed, hate me-" saws she
in low tone. His elder son srch a fail!
ire. ami you-he considers you a failure
too"
"Wcll, don't consider myself So" saws
he, gavlt.
They were III want of money. and you
you married a girl without a penny"
Il married 4 girl who was in herself a
mine of gold" returns he, laying his
hands on her shoulders and giving her
little shake. Come. never mind that
letter darling; what does il matter. when
all is said and done? What 4 heart is
yours says he. drawing her TO him.
barbara, surely l shall shall not die
until they have met you and learned why
I lDral