Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-02-12

heard that the squire ndQ gone 10 D6Q.
She was relieved to know that she
would have regained her composure,
and would be able to meet him with a
smiling face.
Early the next morning she went to
the Squire. He was in his study, his
favorite room, with a cup Of coffee be-
fore him He looked up quickly as
she entered, and she read in his eyes
the anxiety, the hope, the fear that he
did not express in words. She went
and knelt down by his side.
L have come to a decision, papa,
she said II thought 1 would ease your
mind by telling you at once. I have
decided to marry Lord Rhysworth.'
The Squire pushed his coffee-cup
aside, looked at his daughter earnest
ly, laid down his paper, and sat for
some moments in silent delight.
'Is it really true, Dolores?" he asked
at last.
She put her arms round his neck
and drew the white head upon her
bosom.
Eyes, papa; you shall live at White
Cliffe until you die. You shall never
leave it to go amongst strangers; and
you shall have all your comfort, dear.
You will be rich again, and have
money to do with as you like. You
will be very happy, my dearest-hap-
pier than you have ever been"
Something in her voice seemed to
disturb the Squire for he raised his
head, and, in his turn, drew the beau
tiful face down to his He looked at
it long and anxiously; even to his
| dim eyes there was a wonderful
change in it, The brightness was
gone: the light that shone there now
was of heaven rather than of earth;
| it was the calm of content hardly &C
CURED; it was an expression quite
different from anything he had seen
on his daughters face before.
Dolores, /" he cried in sharp voice,
''you-are you happy?"
quite happy" she answered.
'"There is no one you care more for
than Lord Rhysworth, is there? Tell
me the truth, Dolores? [ would not
let you sacrifice yourself for me; you
must not do that. Is there any one
you like better? II would rather be
dead, my child, than that for my sake
you should marry man whom you do
not love, and lose one whom you do
love-"
He never forgot the strange smile
that came over her face as she laid
her hands upon his shoulders and
looked at him.
"You may believe me DEAR" she
said There is NO one who cares for
me; who should? | do not see many
people I am too young to have
thought of such things. No one cares
for me; believe me, papa
If he had been more shrewd and
worldly, he must have noticed that,
although she repeated her statement
that no one cared for her, she never
once said that she cared for no one.
| The Squire went on:
ct was a coward yesterday, Dolores.
! The idea Of poverty frightened me. I
could have cried like a child then; but,
now that I look at you, Dolores, in the
light Of another day, feel Drawer and
stronger. In the course of nature
cannot live many years. What does it
matter, if only you are happy, dear?'
There was faint culver on her lips;
and then she said
II am quite happy, papa. In the
| years to come, when you think about
us, and about my marriage, always re-
member that [ was quite happy, that I
had no regrets, and that I was most
grateful to the generous man who
rescued u.s."
| He listened attentively.
CHOSE are pleasant words, Dolores;
but they have not the right ring"
"You may believe me-" she said
'FYou must always remember that am
perfectly happy. IF you ever see a
cloud on my face, tell me about it,
if you find my spirits flag, then you
may believe that | am not happy
Kiss me, papa, and tell me you believe
me-"
He kissed the sweet face and laid his
hand caressingly on the golden head.
81 believe you, my darling, and am
quite happy too in the belief"
Then she arose from her knees and
busted herself in arranging his papers.
az will write to Lord Rhysworth to-
day" she said "and perhaps he will
come over. Papa, grant me this favor;
if he comes, see him for me at once. I
will see him tomorrow
This the old Squire promised to do.
Dear Lord Rhysworth," Dolores
wrOte-"I have been thinking. well
over the question you asked me, and I
have come to a decision. I thank you
for your generous offer, and, in &C
cepting it, assure you that it shall be
the one endeavOr of my life to make
you a good and faithful wife.
II am, dear Lord Rhysworth, yours
very sincerely,
DOLORES Cliefden'
1t was not very enthusiastic love
letter, but honest and true.
She meant inst what she wrote thar