The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-09
CHAPTER Nv

Adam Leslie was standing by the
fireplace when Bluebell entered, a
heavy frown on his forehead, his face
looking dark and determined. Blue
bell did not like this mood in her ia
Their; but she had inherited her ia
theirs determination, and was quite
ready to oppose her will to his.
Take seat, Bluebell," he said in
tone of hoarseness in his voice. She
did so, and he went on: "Mr. Moore
has been speaking about you to me-"
indeed" said the girl coldly.
Yes. He asks for you as his wife,
and have given him his answer.
Indeed" said Bluebell again. 81
suppose you didn't think, then, that 1
had say in the matter, dad?"
"A say in it?" retorted her father,
breaking suddenly into fury. what
say could you have but that you would
do as I wanted? You shall marry Ger
aid Moore this day week, and be safe
ly out of the country before the trou-
bic begins. The man is a millionaire,
rolling in money! You will go to
England, where money is able to do
anything, and be introduced into the
highest society in the land, where you
have better right than many that are
there. If all had their rights l should
be Laird of Tinlaverstock, as you
know. You will wear diamond tiara.
and drive in your carriage and be pre-
sented to her Majesty. What more
should girl want?"
His fury had blazed up and gone
out the next moment, like lucifer
match, and his tone now was that Of
one who summons all the persuasion
and argument he is master Of to bring
about desire he is previously anx-
ious for yet tries to conceal.
And leave you and Aunt Elizebeth
at New Kelso, to be attacked perhaps
by the Boers?" said the girl indignant
ly. mo, indeed, dad, shall do no
such thing. Do you think the things
you speak of are any temptation to
me? What can a girl like me, who
has been brought up among buffaloes
and ostriches, with all the freedom Of
the veldt and the mountains about her,
care for gilded cage in an Eng
fish city, even with a diamond tiara
and carriage? But, at any rate, even
If that were temptation, wouldn't
marry Mr.. Moore. not for anything
he could give. l don't like him nor
trust him"
But tell you you shall marry him,
girl! You must!" exclaimed her ia
ther again furiously. He started from
his position and faced her, his face
almost purple with passion and ex-
element, his veins standing out like
knotted cords, his lips unsteady.
There's no choice in the matter
you've got to do it! I have sworn to
Moore you will be his wife this day
week. and you SHALL"
You had no right to promise such
thing!" retorted the girl indignant
ly. Bluebell Leslie was no milk-and-
water, weak-willed girl, to be bullied
into such course by her father or any
one else. She had been brought up n
too hardy and Independent life for
that.
II shall not marry him, father, that
is certain. You don't need to try to
urge me. You are my father, and I
owe you affection and obedience; but
not in such a matter as that of selling
myself to man I despise and dis
trust Yes, that IS what I do. didn't
think why you brought him to New
kelso. If you had seen him strike
Sam today But there, what is the
use of speaking?' she added quickly.
II have given you my answer, dad,
as gave it to Mr.. Moore himself to-
day. Did he not tell you?'
Instead of answering directly, her
father strobe to her side, seized her
arm and, holding it in such grasp
OF iron that 1t almost %Tung a cry
from her lips, whispered in her ear:
You'll have to marry him, or see
your father ruined and disgraced!
Bluebell, l tell you I'm in Gerald
Moore's power. At any moment he
can sell me up, take every stick I've
got, and turn us out on the veldt home
less and penniless.' 2
Bluebell turned he1nRce toward him.
1t had grown very and her eyes
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