Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-09-10

and let me know the worst at once.
ADDISON Cheetham was not often
taken by surprise nor thrown Off his
guard, but this keen, proudspirited
girl had indeed read his character like
an open book A feeling of shame for
the moment cowed him; sudden pal
lor swept over his cruel face, and his
guilty eyes dropped to the floor again.
But it was only for an instant; he
had come there to conquer instead OF
being conquered.
With an effort, he met her scornful
look with one of smiling defiance.
"You are possessed of more pene-
tration, Miss Radcliffe, than I gave you
credit for, he said, mockingly.
"You own the imputation, then.
Thank you for being honest for once, >
retorted Pearle, sarcastically, before
he could go on.
He flushed angrily.
"I will come to the point at once, =
he said, showing his teeth savagely,
like an angry dog. II am the secret
enemy Of Richard Byrnholm, and have
been for years. He did me wrong
once that vowed I would never for
give, and I swore then that some day
[ would be even with him"
"You doubtless refer to the prize
which he won from you when you were
at school together" Pearle again in
terrupted, instantly remembering what
Richard had told her regarding it.
"And did he presume to boast of his
success to your" he demanded, an
angry flush suffusing his whole face.
"No, he did not boast of it to me; he
was extolling your virtues, and related
the circumstance to prove how nobly
you had conquered your disappoint-
ment and vexation, and still generous
ly accorded him your friendship
<@Ha! hal" 1t was bitter, hooking
laugh.
your sense of honor?" Pear1e cried,
her beautiful face all aglow with in
dignation and disdain. How little
and mean the nature that could cherish
such a petty spite toward one who
has ever been so generous and true.
1t was lawful race that you both ran.
If his powers were superior to yours
and he won the prize, why should you
desire revenge?"
"But he cheated me-he kept the
secret from me. I did not once think.
with so much hard work as he would
have to do to keep up with the class.
that he would try. | will not spare
him for it, he concluded, with malice
cleaning from every feature.
''I do not believe you can mar his
character at single point" Pearle re-
piled, bravely; yet her eyes searched
his face eagerly, as if she was not quite
so confident as she expressed herself
For reply, he drew from his inner
breast-pocket a package tied with
scarlet tape. With tantalizing de-
liberation he carefully picked the hard
knot apart, cruel smile curling his
lips the while.
At last he handed Pearle little
book with morocco cover.
please to glance over the items
written in this book he said, quietly.
With fingers that trembled visibly,
and her heart sinking like dead
weight in her bosom, she took it from
him and began to turn the leaves.
The words private expenses" upon
the first page, and written in the hand
she knew so well, riveted her attention.
"How came you by this? What
right have you to bring it to me?" she
demanded, Indignantly.
50 h. r INV IF
and I have right to-save you if I
cam he returned, passionately.
She turned from him impatiently,
and her eye fell upon the words,
Family expenses at the Dove-cote for
the quarter ending June 31st fifty
| pounds
A mist for a minute blurred her
sight, and she caught her breath as if
with a sudden pain.
Family expenses at the Dove-cote.
Where was the Dove-cote, and what
| family was residing there whose ex-
pense Richard Byrnholm was defray-
| ing?
! Brushing the mist from her eyes, and
| trying to steady her quivering nerves,
she looked further down the page.
''Dress for Ariel, $40; playthings
| for Richie, Ell; debts of honor, $50;
machine for Ariel, ELS 10s.," etc.
With face like chalk, and a heart
from which every bright hope seemed
slipping away Pearle continued to turn
the leaves almost mechanically, read
ing similar items all the way along.
Ariel! Who is Ariel-who is
Richie?" her white lips murmured, a
hunted look creeping into her large
eyes.
ariel Byrnholm is young and
beautiful woman, almost as fair as
Margaret Radcliffe. Richie is little
cherub, with rosy cheeks, curling black
hair, and eyes Of the same hugh, .
ADDISON Cheetham answered, signi-
cantlt.
what do you mean?" she almost
shrieked.
81 mean that Richard Byrnholm is
| already married manor, if not he