Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-06-08
CHAPTER XLVE.

finding Hettie lying unconscious on
the ground. While she had been talk
ing TO Sir Arthur in the library, one
OF the men-servants, who had been
told 10 watch for Sir Basil's arrival,
had come TO say that he had arrived,
and the general had at once sent for
him.
Il viii leave you, uncle she said.
You will be more at ease if am not
here"
She went up TO him before she
quilted the room, and put one arm
round his neck, half hiding her face
on his shoulder.
Uncle" she whispered, you do
not really think that what you have
70 say will make any difference as re-
CARDS Basil, do your"
With one hand she clutched the
lace on her bosom, and he saw that
her very soul was on her lips. How
well she loved Sir Basil, this beautiful
niece Of his
Il am quite sure not" he replied.
you may rest happy, content, and as
sured. ! know him so well. / think
politician 10 be a great patriot. You
need not have the shadow OF fear,
Leah"
4 shall know said the girl, by my
first glance al his face whether the
story has vexed him or not. II ]
thought that IL would, or that his love
for me would grow less, ! should die
now and here"
Have 10 fear, Leah; trust 10 me"
She quilted the room, and went
back 10 the terrace where she had left
Hettie No tall figure stood by the
balustrade: but she saw an inanimate
form stretched on the ground. Full
u alarm she FASTENED 70 the spot.
II was Hattie, white, cold, senseless,
her golden hair lying like a veil over
her shOulders-Hettie. whom she had
left so short a time before well and
smiling, What was wrong? She
raised the golden head and looked into
the white face. Was Il death? Was
il sudden illness? In a paroxysm OF
terror she kissed the sweet face.
Some one has broken her Heart"
thought Leah. She remembered the
pathetic little l0ve-story her sister had
told her. II was that that caused her
20 faint. Finding II impossible 10 re-
store her 10 consciousness Leah sum-
mOned aid, and Hettie was carried to
her room.
There was a lack OF intense pain in
the blue eyes when they Enclosed at
last, and when they rested on Leah
cry escaped her. She opened ser
arms and folded her in them. Leah.
Leahi" she cried: and then she
checked herself. She must not betray
her secret. Leah must not know that
her lover had swerved. even though IN
consciously. She must not stand like
a shadow between Leah and the full
sunshine and gladness of her love.
Leah was very loving TO her.
Close your eyes and sleep; you
win be better then" she said. And ]
want you TO come down TO dinner; I
have a surprise for you
She little dreamed that + was the
surprise" which had almost killed
her sister.
Leah stole away gently then. Her
lover would be waiting for her-the
lover who now knew her story, and
from whose face she would learn AT
the first glance whether he cared less
for her. She went 10 the library, but
il was empty, and a deadly chill made
her tremble. Had he resented the dis
closure and gone away? She went 10
the drawing-rOOm. He was not there;
but from the window she saw him
walking slowly up and down the ter
race. his face pale and agitated. Bet
ter 20 know her fate at once. She
fastened out 10 him and touched his
arm gently with her hand
Basil" she said-and there was a
word Of piteOus entreaty in her voice
-~let me see your face"
He turned 10 her. and her heart
gave one great bound OF relief, which
was quickly followed by a smart OF
pain There was no trace of anger or
annoyance on the face she loved so
Wei but there was unutterabIe main.
Basil" she said. my uncle has
told You all. Has it vexed or grieved
-Cu2"
He Eazed at her with e vacant won.
der in his eyes, and then came a CLEAN
Of recollection.
1T can never be" she thought, that
he has forgotten so ron. entous a CON
versatiOn."
Grieved ne? No. Leah, not in the
least" The pathOs OF her face
troubled him. 1T has neither grievei
nor vexed me in the least. / assure
you honestly that I shall lot be
ashamed OF the whole worlds know
ing that I married the daughter of
Martin Ray. After all, though some
OF his ideas were strangely mistaken,
he was a patriot at heart, was he not,
Leah2"
do not ask me- she cied, with a
shuller My uncle has told you the
whole story. and you say that il has