Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-08-25

seen. He should be well able to
conquer it, he thought; at least, she
loved no one else-that was one
great point, one great ground OF
| hope. She loved no other man and,
though he was not even to touch
be1 hand or presume to say one af-
fectionate word to her; still they
would be together-they would be
under the same roof, they would
have at least some cares and some
duties in common. It would be
strange if, with all those opportuni-
ties, he could not win her love.
At first he had been inclined to
reject her terms with as much scorn
as she had shown herself-thev
were unworthy of him and his love.
Then it occurred to him that he
could give her a lesson in true no,
bility He would give her all ano
take nothing-he would pour out
his devotion with so lavish hanG
that she would not be able to help
returning some Of it. She should
see that it was possible for a COM
moner to have the soul of gentle
man. He would treat her with such
chivalry such delicacy, that she
would be compelled to admire him,
to admit that a plebeian could have
the virtues that she seemed to con-
slider belonged by right divine to-
the mobiles of the land. How proud
she was, how scornful, how imperi-
Gus, but, oh, how beautiful and
bright!
Only to be near her, to breathe
the same air, to look at her radiant
face, to listen to the music of her
voice, to watch the grace of her
movements-it would be bliss to
him. He would win her yet-great
love must win great love. The day
would come when she would go to
him, when she would clasp her
white arms round his neck, when
she would rest her fair, proud face
on his breast, and say, "My hus-
last" 1t was worth all the scorn,
al the contempt, all the weary wait
| ing. He was content, and, with The
whole force of his honest heart, he
resolved to do his best-to make
her happy and let her have her own
way.
Lady Ianthe went at once to her
father
The old earPs face had a wistful
expression as he raised it to hers.
"You have no good news for me,
Ianthe,' he said, despondingly;
there is none in your eyes,"
perhaps you will think it good,
papa. I am come to tell you that l
have accepted Mr.. Culross."
He could not repress the cry of
joy that rose to his lips; his whole
aspect changed. His cares and
troubles seemed to fall from him;
he rose from his seat stronger and
more erect than she had seen him
for many day.
"My darling" he said, "my belov.
ed Tanthe, you have saved my life!"
And wrecked my own" she.
thought. But meekIy and quietly
she received the caresses and thanks
he lavished on her; and then, when
he was calmer and could listen to
her, she said:
IT have been quite frank with Mr..
Culross, papa. I have told him that
do not love him, and that I never
shall"
"Never shall?" repeated the earl.
in dismay.
''No, papa never! I have explain
ed to him what I think of such mar
riages as this-what I think of So
cial barriers-that nothing can set
him by my side as my equal"
The earl looked at her in astonish-
ment and fear.
Great Heaven! And what did he
say?"
She paused for few minutes, and
then replied:
Cali that he said was very SEN
sible in it's way; he did pot seem at
ali surprised"
81 should have been very much
surprised had I been in his place,
said Lord Care. ct have never
heard of such an acceptance"
81 showed him the matter as II
really stands-that it is simply a
business transaction-a commercial
arrangement quite in his line. You
want a certain sum of money; he
has it to lend, and promises to lend
/ it if he may call me wife. I have
given him permission to do so. You
see there is no question of senti-
ment; it is purely a business-ar-
rangement. I appealed to his gen
erosity; I asked him to help you
without any reference to me. But
he declined; and then I placed the
matter on it's proper footing"
But, Ianthe," cried the earl, che
loves you-he does indeed! If ever
man loved woman, he loves you.
How cruel you are to him! How
proud you are!"
cit is not a question of love, papa
believe mel have told him that
/ do NOT aOd pouor cbo1I 1Ovyo him