Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-04-09
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
| Sir Karl wanted Dolores to marry
him at Christmas. He told her that
her period of mourning had been
long enough to satisfy the most scrup
ulous and exacting. He urged, plead
ed; he even brought down little Kath-
| leen and told her to ask mamma"
to be kind to him. At Christmas Lord
| Rhysworth was coming to take pos
| session of Deeping Hurst. If she
would but say YES" he would at
once commence making the necessary
preparations at Scarsdale, and if she
| did not care to have their engage
ment announced, if should be kept a
profound secret until two or three
weeks before the wedding took place
There was no resisting his pleading
especially when he raised little Kath-
leen in his arms and told her not to
cease kissing mama" until she had
said Yes
you love me, Kathleen, do you
not?" he cried.
The little rosebud face nestled on
his breast as the child answered
Yes
Your own little daughter gives
you to me, Dolores. You must not be
cruel. 1t is not as though l had only
just learned to love you Remember
my years of faithful, hopeless love.
Say Yes"
She was whispering something to
him, with her arms round his neck
and her beautiful face hidden on his
breast.
What is it you are saying?" he
cried, in utter establishment. You
are frightened because of Lola? My
darling, what nonsense! Even should
she take umbrage at my marriage
which she has no right to do why
should she be angry with you? What
could she do to you? Dolores, you are
a fanciful, nervous woman, 1 believe!
What could she do to your"
Il cannot tell why I am afraid of
| her; but do know that, as l am sit
ting here quite happy with you, the
thought of her frightens me. When
look forward to the time when I shall
be with you, the thought of Lola
darkens it.
How stranger he murmured.
1T is not so strange" said Lady
Rhysworth in a voice full of emotion.
DO not think me wanting in delicacy
if [ say that I am quite sure that she
loves you" Her sweet face flushed
hotly as though she had been confess
ing some great transgression of her
own.
The more l think of it," she con
tlnued, the more | am sure that I am
right, While you were away from
home she had many offers of mar
rage all Of the kind that the world
calls good, but she would not accept
any of them. l remember how people
wondered. 1 am sure now that it was
for your sake, Karl. She was quite
different girl when she heard that
you were coming home Whether
she had any suspicion that you cared
for me I cannot tell; but she has al
ways spoken of you to me as though
you belonged to her"
You did not believe it?' he said,
quickly.
No, l did not, because you had told
me the truth about it; but l am very
sorry for her, and I am frightened
You need not fear he replied.
But he could not help owning to
himself that the situation was awk-
ward. He ought not to feel angry
with any one for showing him great
| affection, but he wished with all his
heart that Lola was married and safe
ly away. He could not bear to see
his darling's face clouded ever by this
shadow
You must cheer up. Dolores. All
will be WELL he said; there is no
cause for fear. As for deferring our
wedding for that it would be utter
nonsense. Our marriage will at once
put an end to all unpleasantness
Say Christmas, like darling, and for
get Lola
The sweet eyes looked up with trust
| and confidence into his face.
Did you ever. when you first be-
came acquainted with her, flirt with
her without any thought of love p"
she asked.
To Be Continued