Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-02-27


would say. 81 think Lady Laura one
of the incest Of women, and l am
ashamed when l hear you speak of her
go unkindly.
But with Sir Hal it was palmer
sailing for the captain. He voted the
old Abbey magnificent; he considered
the fortune a grand one; but he owned
lust as freely that wife and step
daughter were great drawbacks.
They stood together one morning
OF the terrace, smoking and talking
after their usual fashion.
What a grand old place this is,
observed Sir Hal. What fine thing
for you to step into! You were close
to the waters edge at the time, were
you not?"
Eyes; | could not have held my
ground another month" replied the
captain.
what should you have done if she
had refused you?" asked Sir Hal.
81 knew that she would not refuse
me-" said his friend, Il was pretty
sure Of success.
"But what" persisted Sir Hal
should you have done if she had said
MOP"
81 must have left the country" the
captain replied.
gratitude" said Sir Hal.
q suppose So" responded his com
panion. carelessly.
Then, after few minutes, Sir Hal
asked, abruptly:
''What became Of that beautiful girl
we met in London-Miss Rane?"
The captains dark face flushed.
"She is in Paris with Lady Kin
IIoch," he replied.
"Y ou were very fond of her,
Vance?" said his friend.
"She was the one love of my life.
That is hardly fair to the woman
you have married"
at makes but little difference was
the captains comment.
"You have certainly been most for
tunate man." remarked Sir Hal.
81 should consider that | was If the
estate were wholly mine and without
incumbrance," said the captain.
81 have heard people speak OF the
late Sir Charles Rooden's will, con
itinued Sir Hal. Rather an eXtraor-
binary one, was it nOt?"
"a very foolish one, some people
think" replied the captain. He left
the whole of his estates and fortune
without any restriction, to his widow
70
her daughter"
"Then, if Laudy Laura died, you
would be a poor man again, Vance,.
81 should, indeed, unless
But he did not finish the sentence
unless what?" asked Sir Hal.
Unless her daughter died also" re
piled the captain.
"And what then?" asked his friend.
"Why. then-but, remember, Hal, II
is most unlikely thing to happen
the whole of the property would come
to me-"
Sir Hal gave a prolonged whistle
whilst the captain looked at him with
serene Inconsistencies.
"Only these two lives between you
and a vast fortune?" he said, musing
ly.
THAT is all" responded the captain
''but those two lives are good ones"
81 do not know" said Sir Hal
gravely. Angela seems strong, Ger
tainly; but Lady Laura looks yer!
delicate. l do not think hers will be
a long life" Then, as if suddenly
making a discovery, Sir Hal added
But Vance, if anything happened t(
your wife, you would be worse of
: than you were before your marriage
You would be dependent on Angela:
bounty"
/ That | should never be" said the
captain.
Il cannot understand your conduct
, Vance. knowing all this, | shoult
have thought you would have take1
: every care of your wife, seeing how
, much depends on her life. l SHOULD
have thought you would not have
: known how to take care enough o
her or to be kind enough to her; in
! stead of which, between ourselves,
must say you are cold and neglectfuI
: The poor lady does not look happy.
: she is never likely to be" declared
the captain: she is so outrageousl,
jealous"
2 mot without cause" rejoined 81
/, Hal, in a low voice. Il should act dill
ferently if were in your place. Wha
: q curious will! What a strange al
} Irangement. Really, then, it woul'
not be a bad thing for you II Miss Ar
gela were to die"
] No; it would be a very good thing
l Indeed" said the captain. "All tn
same, hope it will not happen"
- Most certainly" agreed Sir Ha
The girl has a right to enjoy her hf
- and her wealth, too"
She will enjoy both so far as ar
:. concerned" said the captain.
4 Vance" observed his friend. 'yo
must change your tactics. inls wi
Y never do. You must turn over al
l. other leaf; you must take more car
a of Lady Laura. What misfortune
t would be for you if she were to die
T Suppose she fell i'll tomorrow and die
e in few days, where would you be?
r The captain looked up with
g startled face. The prospect Of sue
k a sudden change in his circumstance
had never occurred to him.
n You are altogether on the wron
e road" continued his friend. ''Instea
of u-ifa r1jSarah Jp