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

first; then, as she marked the mans
respect and courtesy during her con-
tinued avoidance of him, she began to
feel that she had wronged him,
for speaking those impulsive words of
love to her-he had no right to utter
those under any circumstances. But
perhaps he did really believe there
was something wrong, which would
make her miserable if she should dis
cover it after her marriage, and de-
sired to warn her in season. But Of
course it was all a mistake, whatever
it was; she would talk it over quietly
with him, and she felt, or tried to
feel, sure that it would prove so.
A sinister, triumphant smile curled
ADDISON Cheetham's lips when he
received Pearle's message. He had
begun to fear that her indomitable
pride would be too much for him,
and that he should have to begin the
battle again himself; for he had not
purpose. But now there was no need;
he had everything arranged, and con-
sidered the game in his own hands.
"The victory is mine,'' he muttered,
exultantly, as he prepared to obey her
summons.
Pearle received him in the library,
and her manner, although courteous,
was somewhat cold and distant.
''What can l do for you, Miss
Pearle?" ADDISON asked, as he greeted
her with rather more assurance than
was necessary under the circumstan-
ces.
Both his word and manner angered
her at once.
"For one thing, you can, if you
please, address me by my proper
name, she returned, ali her distrust
of him returning Immediately.
''You are called Pearle, believe
he began.
"By my friends" she interrupted.
"And am I not to be classed among
those, my fair Pearle-my rare
Pearle?" he asked, softly, and with a
gloating look in his eye that betrayed
how sure he was of accomplishing his
purpose.
She lifted her head-that small,
proud head-with a gesture that he
loved to see, she looked so like a
queen. But he could not meet I'M
moved the flash of her glorious eyes,
and his own, as once before, dropped
guilty beneath their fire.
81 am Miss Radcliff, sir-at least.
for the present" she added, signifi-
cantly "Do not forget it again, if you
please
1t is impossible to describe the icy
hauteur with which this was said.
Mr.. Cheetham bowed with mock hui
mility, but the look on his face made
the fair girl SILVER with dread.
[ requested tins interview" she re-
sumed after a moment, but feeling
that she would give worlds if she never
had requested it, ''in order to end the
suspense which your insinuations re-
garding Captain Byrnholm have occa-
stoned me. Will you explain to what
you referred-that is, if you CAM"
ri am prepared to do so, Miss Rad
cliffe- came prepared to do so, as |
supposed that was what you wanted OF
me- he quietly replied.
She grew pale at his assured tone
''You said that if married Richard
Byrnholm, my doom and his would be
sealed, she said.
And so it will The day that you
marry him, he will be arrested for
bigamy and forgery"
"Sirl'
She turned upon him like hunted
animal driven to bay.
'Well?" he questioned, composedly.
do you dare use such language to
me, and in connection with him?" she
whispered, in strained tones.
81 not only dare, but I can prove
that I assert, here and now" he said,
with slow and dreadful emphasis.
81 do not believe it,
Her white lips framed the loyal
words, but no sound issued from them
He merely bowed.
His cool assurance drove her nearly
frantic.
cit is false!" she cried. "Such
crimes are as foreign to his high and
noble nature as cold is to heat, dark
ness to daylight"
"You have been grossly deceived,
he returned in cold, hard tones; you
have been led to think that you were
going to marry a knight after your
own heart, gentleman of high degree
and lofty principle You have idealiZ-
ed Richard Byrnholm, and imagined
that the earth held no other being so
pure and noble; but beneath his bland
and genial exterior, his assumption Of
truth, honor, and nobility, there lies
hidden duplicity only equaled by his
excessive cunning"
And you, his friend, are the first to
discover and tell me of this!" Margaret
Radcliffe cried, with indignant scorn.
A peculiar smile fitted across the
lips of her companion.
eff hiding his wickedness would save
you" he began.
Enough" she interrupted. II can
read your character like an open book.
You are not his friend-vOu are his