Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-08-20


and she grew cold as ice; but she could
not refuse to grant his petition, and
replied, though with some reluctance:
''Yes-if you wish it.
tsThank you; [ do, as long as it has
been mentioned. And now goodnight,
sweet. I hope by tomorrow all your
gloomy fears and presentiments will
have disappeared
Richard Byrnholm bent down and
pressed fond caress upon her lips,
when, with a sigh that was almost a
sob, Pearle threw her arms around his
neck and returned it passionately,
even wildly; then breaking from his
embrace, she glided swiftly into the
house, leaving him alone and deeply
troubled by her strange manner.
| what can trouble her SOP he asked
himself, as, with anxious brow, he
sprang lightly over the low railing of
the balcony and turned toward his own
home. II have never seen her COM
posture so disturbed over anything be-
! FORE and to think she should be so I'M
| Justly suspicious Of my dearest friend!
l must not monopolize her so much
during the few days that remain. She
must see more of him, and discover
how unfounded is her dislike.
All, Richard Byrnholm, when you
made that resolution you consigned the
gentle dove to the cruel talons Of a
hawk
A word regarding the three charac-
ters mentioned.
Margaret adcliffe-Pearle being a
pet name, bestowed upon her when a
child-was the second daughter of the
fourth Earl of DerwentWater. She
was an orphan, and alone in the world,
aside from her only brother, in whose
care she had been left at her fathers
death, which had occurred some five or
six years before our story opens. All
ston Radcliffe, the fifth Earl of Der
wentwater, was several years older
than his sister, to whom he was most
devotedly attached, while she had been
like a bright CLEAN Of sunshine in his
home ever since their fathers death.
He had lovely wife and three beautl-
full children, with whom the fair girl
as has been before stated, a large
fortune in her own right; but with all
the distinction attendant upon great
wealth and a high social position, she
had warm, generous heart, that made
her beloved by all who knew her.
Richard Byrnholm was a young man
of great promise, and also of excellent
20 q had
contrary to the wishes Of his friends,
been DESTROYS of entering the army
after completing his education. He
possessed great energy and. decision Of
character, and had acquired besides, a
sort of sentimental desire to dis
tinguish himself in some way. Speak
ing OF this one day to his friend,
ADDISON Cheetham, the latter had sug-
gested the army, and offered to assist
in procuring him a commission. Rich
ard had been instantly fired with en-
thusiasm, and having plenty of money
at his disposal, captains commission
was not long in forthcoming His
regiment had expected to be ordered
abroad almost immediately least
secure a commission in one that was
likely to be called into immediate
action-but some change had been
made which detained it indefinitely.
Meanwhile Pearle Radcliffe, for
whom Richard, as boy, had conceived
a great admiration, returned from the
fashionable school where she had been
sent to finish off, !" and his boyish adj
miration assumed tenfold proportions,
soon deepening into warmest love,
which, being reciprocated by the young
lady, an engagement ensued, which was
regarded with great satisfaction by the
friends of both parties.
Immediately all thought of life in the
army became exceedingly distasteful to
the young captain, and he forthwith set
about trying to dispose of his commits
sion. He succeeded, and believing
himself to be the happiest man alive,
he gave his whole attention to the
preparation of suitable home for his
bride, resolving to lead very domestic
life, and get all the good out of the
world that was possible for a country
S0HLiSI1du. lie WdS d IdTS0-00drCoQ,
pure, and undetermined man, and all
who knew him honored him and re-
Spected him.
ADDISON Cheetham, our third promi-
nent character, was some five years
older than Richard Byrnholm, and the
latter had become acquainted with him,
as he told Pearle, while attending
college. Although so much older, and
in the form above Richard, he had
seemed to become instantly and strang-
ly attracted to the handsome new
scholar. Before this Cheetman had
been one by himself" glummy," his
school-fellows had called him. He was
close student, unexceptionable in his
department, and a good scholar.
But no one liked him, or
seemed willing to fraternize with
him. He never spoke Of him
self, his antecedents were unknown,
and history previous to his advent at
school a mystery to all save himself.