Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-09-25
story for an
Hole Dour
VIRTUE OF A DEED OF GIFT.

A lady 10 see you, SIT. MISS bdllS'
Miss Barry? Ask her in at once"
Bernard Warburton rose with alac-
rity, for as a lawyer and man he
was interested in the new arrival.
She came in handsomely dressed in
deep mourning, so slim and graceful
that she looked taller than she really
was. She had a pale, well featured
face and blue Irish eyes, which tiatly
contradicted the set GOODNESS of every
line.
Sometimes in these professional
interviews it is the lady who is emo
tional, while her adviser remains
chilly; on this occasion the visitor
bowed formally, and save for the
grace of her action, it might have
been a doll saluting another doll, so
blank was her face, and changeless.
He on the contrary, dropped officiality
and advanced with o;ststretcned hand,
Il think, as We are relatives, we
should shake hands.
Courtesy constrained her to follow
his lead, but he thought he had rarely
touched so passive hand; but she
was quick in repudiating his claim.
I'VE can hardly be related-eXCept
merely by marriage"
"Precisely; but that means good
deal. / am glad to see you. The title
deeds of your little estate are ready
and awaiting
He spoke smilingly, for her quaint
h., ], hut H.D,
words took him aback. Like other
sensible men, he had a horror of
women without common sense.
Il came to say that l want neither
title deeds nor the estate; | have no
use for them"
Sheer amazement kept him dumb.
but he looked lleenly to see if she was
hystericaI or out OF her mind. Scru-
tinize as he might, however, he could
only see steady purpose underneath
her white earnestness.
But this is sheer nonsense. Narn
is left you Internationally by your
grandfather, with the sole exception
that you are to take his name. No
difficulty about that, is there?'
There is every difficulty; even the
name is hateful to me-"
Her breathing quickcned, but she
spoke calmly as before.
"The name is also mine" he an
swered CURLY, and because of her
gentle instincts a touch of sensitive
color came and went.
Il beg your pardon; | should have
remembered better"
He considered her again attentiyely,
trying to reckon up this unknown
quantity.
She has a quick Irish temper "a
warm Irish heart. What does she
mean by sitting there like a little
icicle, trying to lead me astray? There
must be something behind all this alb
surdity, and : must get at it. Hav-
ing decided this, he dropped the rel
alive and assumed the man OF law.
Being in temporary charge of
Narn, l must ask your reasons for
this unprecedented conduct?"
He was judicial enough for a bag
wig, but, having nothing to hide, she
was not dismayed.
Il can tell you in a few sentences.
rev months ago my mother was
living-she is dead now for years we
had both been battling against the
poverty which killed her by inches
not doubt about it. for she died OF
want OF proper food-of necessary
warmth and the lack of all comfort.
She had TO work almost to the last
and when ! wrote to her father telling
him Of our distress, he left the letter
unanswered, because my mother had
married a poor Irish gentleman. If
Narn had been ours eight months ago
she would have been living now. If
the owner of it had only held out a
helping hand, | should not be broken
hearted for the loss of her. as | am
today"
He knew now the sort OF apathy
that had so dulled her: it was heart
break as she had said and It was
only the intensity of her emotion
which kept her low voice from falter-
ing. He was genuinely touched. but
at his awkwardest IN expressing this.
How did you and your mother
Iive?"
She did art needIework-and
starved on it. painted. and often
went hungry to bed. l did not mind.
being Young and strong but she-my
God! to watch the slow drowning of
the one you love best on earth-to
see her sinking day by day for want
OF the sheer necessaries Of life, yet