Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-04-06

Sir Basil had decided. He had tried
to think of his case as though it were
another's; he had tried to weigh it,
give. Judgment upon it. There were
two courses open to him-he could go
to Leah, tell her his story, and ask for
his freedom, or he could leave Dene
and never look on Hettie's sweet face
again.
If he decided to pursue the former,
he knew that it would be far less cruel
were he to plunge a knife into LEANS
breast; he knew that il would kill her
more surely than il he had gone away
and left her long before. Was it his
duty to consider her first? Clearly.
He had asked her to be his wife! he
had never dreamed that time would
come when he should love with all the
madness, the passion, the impetuosity
of youth; he had fancied in some
vague way that his engagement would
save him from it. Yes-before he
| thought of himself or his own happi-
ness, he must think of Leah.
Only a few months since, his life
had lain before him bright and calm
as a summer sea; he had known but
little trouble. He had youth, wealth,
every good gift, in short; now all
these were valueless to him, because
ne must renounce the thing he loved
best. Weighing all the circumstances,
he did not think he could have called
| himself dishonorable had he told the
whole story TO Leah. But he could
not crush he.-her whose only fault
was loving him not wisely, but too
well. She must be his first care, since
/ she was. his promised wife. But, while
he was deciding 10 surrender all hopes
| for the future, he determined TO nave
one more glimpse of paradise and say
| farewell TO Hettie, so that he might
take with him through all time the
memory of her words and looks.
On the morning after he had come
to this decision he told the general
that il was very probable he should be
compelled to return to Glen in few
days. Business awaited him: one o.
two leases had fallen in-and there
was adjoining property for sale-in
| fact, there were several important
reasons why he must go at once.
Leah win be very sorry" said Sir
Arthur, whose first thought was al
ways for his beloved niece.
Sir Basil was not the man TO do
things by halves.
why need you linger after | am
gone? You can bring Leah back to
Brentwood I am sure she viii be
pleased to be at home again. though
they make us very happy here. And.
Sir Arthur" he continued, determined
to rivet his chains at once, when
you are once more at Brentwood. |
want to talk to you about-about the
marriage; it is time something was
settled"
Sir Arthur laughed and looked
pleased.
"You must talk to Leah about that
Pasil.' he said. place aux danes
always!"
Eyes, | will talk to Leah about it."
returned the other, impetuously. Il
do not see the use of this long delay
Nor do t. said the general. Il do
not understand the art of love-making;
but you have both had plenty of time
to make up your minds. You love each
other: | do not see what need there
is for further waiting"
How Sir Basil WINGED at the simple
words. at the implicit faith, the com
plete confidence and trust reposed in
him! What would this old soldier
say if he knew that he had given his
heart. his love. to some one else?
The same day he told Leah of his
intention to leave Dene. He often
afterward thought of the scene. She
was in the drawing. DOM, standing by
the table, turning over the leaves of a
book, when he went up to her.
Leah" he said, gently, Il find from
my letters this morning that | must
| go back TO Glen. have some import
ant business to attend TO at home"
She had been smiling as she looked
over the engravings; but her face
changed as she heard the words.
you are going, BASIL" she said
/ leaving Hs?"
A culver of pain passed over her
face. a wistful expression crept into
her eyes. He thought to himself, II
/ the simple announcement of his de-
parture for few days could cause her
such pain. what would have happened
| had he told her all? He could not be
| cruel TO her. He must take care that
she never knew, never suspected the
truth. Fl must endeavor to make her
happy. although he could never be so.
How well she loved him-and, oh, the
pity of It?
To be continued.