Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-03-16
Continued

Eu EuAN World near AA1A NNAONNM
HI-health and failure in means he has
come to Southwood 10 live the re-
uainder Of his days in peace"
An aged lien" said Sir Basil.
Exactly So They tell me that he
has a good and beautiful daughter
who Keeps him by her own exertions;
but no one seems to think much OF
him or take any notice Of him. II il
Is the same thing 20 you" added the
duke. Il would rather that you did not
mention 20 any one the fact that Ray,
the once famous Voice OF the People,
lives near here.
why" asked Sir Basil, more sud
denly than politely.
But the duke did not seem at all dis
turbed by the question.
The man Is, and always has been,
mad with morbid vanity and a desire
for publicity. I should not like my
visitors 10 know anything about him.
He would get up some kind OF sensa-
tiou-a paper war OF some kind, * he
had the chance. am glad the hill
shuts us of from SOuthwOo. have
a great dislike for men of that stamp"
IL was in consequence of this thar
Sir Basil never mentioned the name OF
RAY in the presence Of the guests at
Deue Abbey. He would not do any
thing against the dukes wish; nor
had he the least desire TO draw any
attention 20 this man. He never spoke
Cf the music at SOuthwOOd church
again: but the less he said the more
deeply he thought on the subject
Upon one thing he was quite deter
mined-he would 90 and see Martin
Raw He was in some measure. a
public man. and he would not resent
the visit He succeeded in convincing
himself that his intended visit had
nothing whatever to do with Hettie.
He wanted 10 see a man who had been
q popular celebrity. At the same
time he determined 10 be thoroughly
prudent. He would not in any way
compromise tie duke. He need not
announce his name or saw where he
was staying. lie was simply about
TO call upon a man who had once
been famous but who was now forgot
ten. and Sir Basil persuaded himself
it was a kindly thing 10 do. to pay re-
spect TO fallen greatness.
So one autumn day Sir Basil strolled
over to ROsewalk. He told Leah that
he was going for a long ramble; but
he did not ask her 20 accompany him.
There was in his mind no direct
thought that he was going somewhere
CIaudesntinely. He climbed the
steep hill once more. and there before
him lay the pretty town OF SOUthwOOd.
He saw how il seemed TO wind up the
hill. beginning at the foot with humble
cottages. and ending with handsome
villas as il approached the summit.
He saw near the brow OF the hill a
pretty green lane with tall hedgerows,
and he decided that that must be
ROsewak. In the mil.' stood a small
cottage. half buried in foliage. He
did not know why his heart beat fast
when he saw Il. A sudden 1T OF
tim.dity came ove- him. What IL he
should see the beautiful singer, or If.
from one Of those fOwer-wreathed win
dCws. he should hear her voice?
After walking so far his courage had
failed him: he passed through the lane,
and did not even look at the cottage
he had come TO see.
He felt ashamed OF himself, and
went back again-the lane was a long
one When he returned he found
that an elderly man was standing
watching the passage Of a ship at sea
The scene was so beautiful that he
was charmed with 1.-THE blue waters,
the wh..s-saiiei ship. the grassy hill,
the peaceful Ereen lane, the pictur-
Csque fiover-hidden cottage. The
man stood lOCtiug over a low ivy
hidden wall. Some instinct told him
that THIS was Martin Ray.
This Is a lovely scene sir" Sir
Basil remarked. as he paused I'm front
II the old man.
1T is well enough he said.
and then Sir Basil was slightly dis
concerted. He hardly knew what next
To- say. He stood and looked. first
az the blue ripping waters, and then
at the stern. worn haggard man. II
was better perhaps to be frank.
i am looking" he said quietly. for
the home OF Mr.. Martin Ray. Can
you tell me IL this be it,"
Il am Martin Ray" answered the
other briefly.
And again Sir Basil was nonplussed.
The man raised himself from his
leaning attitude. and looked at the
handsome. dark face before him.
You wanted 10 see my house and
newly" he asked.
and then Sir BasiTs sense OF good
breeding came 20 his aid.
My reason IS very simple" replied
S.r Basil. raising his hat. Il heard
that you were living here. and wished
20 see one who rightly or wrongly.
has been a leader among the people"
Are you Of my way Of thinking?'
asked Martin abruptly.
~NO. ! am not" replied Sir Basil.
"a q.