Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-02-05
She could

not tell.
Yes, she continued the wars of
the rosee-so far as Dolores and I are
concerned-ar I believe, ended"
''You speak in riddles, Miss de Fer
ras, he said, land I detest riddles.
What do you mean?" There was some
little emotion in his voice
You must promise me not to tell"
she replied Il have perhaps no right
to speak, and, mind, Miss Cliefden
herself has not told me; but I know
am sure-I-"
You know that I shall respect your
confidence" he said. why should I
not?"
Il believe" she went on, land l
have every reason for my belief that
there is some understanding or prom
Use between Lord Rhysworth and
Dolores Cliefden."
Lord Rhysworth," he cried in hor-
ror, Why, he is old enough to be her
father!''
Better to be an old mans darling
than a young mans slave, she
quoted.
But he did not heed her. He was
muttering something under his mus
tache-words Of anger and annoyance,
which pierced her to the heart. Why
should he care? What could it pos
sibIy matter to him?
Il wish you would speak a little
more plainly" he said, impatiently.
DO you mean that they are en-
gaged?"
Il must not say so in SO many
words, " she replied; but believe such
to be the case"
Sir Karl felt he had lost the only
treasure life held for him, for a sud
den conviction had come to him that
lie loved Dolores CIiefden as ne should
never love any one else in the world.
1t was with something like wonder
that Lola watched the handsome face
of her companion. There could be no
mistake as to the agitation and an
nOyance expressed there. She asked
herself if she had been blinded, mis-
taken, misIed Was it possible that
he cared for Dolores after all.
Are you quite sure Of what you
say, Miss de Ferras?" he asked, pres
emily.
quite sure" she replied, land an
excellent match it will be. I laugh now
when [ remember that on my return
from Germany I considered Lord
Rhysworth the most eligible parti in
the county,
DO you not now?'' he asked, trying
to speak carelessly
She looked him full in the face as
she answered, her eyes flashing:
mo, most decidedly I do not"
He was flattered by the implication
He knew that she referred to him, but
he could not rouse himself sufficiently
to talk to her. After a few more
words, he made some excuse for
leaving her
He was angry and annoyed though
he had no reason for feeling SO. He
considered himself injured in some
fashion, although he could hardly
have told how.
She need not surely have been in
such a hurry" he said to himself;
she is still very young. How can
she marry a man of more than double
her age? 1t is impossible that she can
love him. she must be marrying him
for his money 1t is shameful for a
young girl to be SO mercenary. I am
disappointed in her.
II wonder if all that men say about
women is true, if money and position
are all that they care for? This girl
with an angels face is marrying for
money and she looks like the very
embodiment of love-"
Vexed and irritated, yet without any
just grounds for these feelings, Sir
Karl avoided Dolores; and she, whose
last chance was rapidly failing, grew
sad at heart. She was standing in
the drawing her dress falling
in picturesque folds about her slender,
girlish figure. Behind her was a mag
nifcent group of exotics. She turned
and, while looking at the waxen bios
SONS, debated within herself whether
the night would pass without his
speaking to her, or whether, ON some
preteXt, she should address him She
was startled from her dreams by Lady
Fielden, who had been sent by
Madame de F'erras to ask Dolores to
sing.
II fear I must ask you to excuse
me- said the girl. 81 do not feel equal
to the task this evening"
You do not look very we'll" replied
Lady F'ielden; perhaps in a short
time you will have recovered SUI
ffciently to favor u.s.
Lady Fielden had a theory of her
own anent Dolores. She believed
herself we'll versed in all love matters,
and had for some little time enter
tanned the idea that Sir Karl was in
love with her.
I'm all probability" thought the
astute lady, "she will sing for him.
By and by Lady Fielden went up TO
him.
''Sir Karl she said, you will pre-
vail, l am sure, where I have failed.
want you to persuade Miss Cliefden to