Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-08
CHAPTER xIv-tCoptinuedJ

Dear, I fancied that you might be
able to influence him"
He will not listen to me"
But he may, dear. We don't always
know Appeal to his reason. Urge MN
to respect my wishes, my peace of MIND,
my declining years. You see the state
1 am in. Persuade him. Oh, l know
you can Influence him! You carry about
you personal magnetism which
"A mere notion of yours, | am afraid, "
Eeplied Barbara.
''Oh, what am / to do" cried Mrs.
Rutherford. breaking out afresh' on,
what is worse than ingratitude IN son
The man may go any minute, and then 1t
will be too late. Barbara you must
help me. Oh, won't you, dear? Won't
your"
Barbara could not Withstand the api
gpeal II was like a cry of agony Her
face darkened with resolution. A sudden
purpose made her pulses beat with
stronger life. She left the room without
another word She crossed the hall and
Knocked at the door of the library NO
attention being paid to her summons,
she pushed open the door and entered.
Brice was seated at his desk drawing
srp the mortgage. the lamp on one side
of him and a pile of bank notes upon the
other. Mr.. German. the money lender
a spare, sharp-faced, bald-hcaded man,
WAS buried in the depths Of one OF the
easy chairs He was matching his palms
together. his line of vision an obiique one,
He accorded no attention whatever to the
Intruder,
When Rrce saw Barbara he rose to
his feet, antagonism in his glance and
attitude She saw how it would all end
He knew the character of her yerrand.
Mother sent YOU" he said.
Yes | would not have come OF my
own accord" Barbara rejOined.
You are in time to be of service" he
said, with a grin You can witness the
mortgage. OF course, she told you about
"a mortgage ?"
Yes. NJ Rutherford She is almost
Grey o9er il and has sent me TO inter
cede III rot witness the mortgage Ysu
must lrt--issue it,"
..Ch. indeed" sneered he. Must not
is strong word I'll pay off the mort
gage in time, so none of your interests
will be imperiled."
My interests?" she asked. - haven't
: any. don't understand You, sir.
ION, you don't, eh?" growled he. 'Ordi-
,narily you are quite astute. You have
had no--sensation, Ell, that Croylands
would some time be yours"
''Croylands is nothing to me" she sad,
keeping her temper. II have no aspira-
tions after it or its owner. l think I
said SO once before. / am impressed by
nothing but your mothers wishes and
fears. They more than impress; they
impel Your action in this matter will
shorten her life For her sake you must
gravely consider this step. Indeed. you
must not take it at all. Oh. please spare
her all this anxiety and pain. 1t will kill
her by inches
Her voice trembled the indignation
died out Of her face; the dimples came
and went; her brown eyes seemed swim
''1ning in tears,
For moment he hesitated, his better
mature asserting itself, Mr.. German had
at last concluded TO admit n conscious
mess of her presence.
"Brice, don't sign that" she said, point
ing to the mortgage Hand il to me. y
It was the first time that she had ever
called him Brice. Perverse as he was. it
sounded strangely sweet to his ears. He
looked steadfastly p. ner for few mo-
ments.
Miss Bradle. sh," he asked. IF l tore
up this mortgage. and consented not TO
draw up anoth r, you would De delighted,
SHOULDN'T your
Very much. sir. and your mother n
Fgreat deal more"
You spoke to me about letter the
.,sss..e. Iay Miss Bradleigh You remem-
der the letter and the occasion2 l ask
cd you to give it TO me. You saw that |
wanted it very much. Did you give it to
me?'
That IS a different matter" she went
eon to say Il had no absolute right over
the letter; the disposition of it was con
tingent You had no right to il at ALL
We'll. IN grant that" he said, srimly
Now, tell me, pray, what right you have
to the mortgageT
None, sir, but"
''As You served me with the letter. 50
anow serve you with the mortgage You
did net give it to me, Go tell my mother
thai you have utterly failed in your mis-
sion. Stop! I'll not hear another word
IN connection with it."