Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-05-11
CHAPTER xL.


RAY when alive. who had indeed de-
tested him. now that he was dead,
showed due honor and respect TO his
memory. He remained at the cottage
with Leah and Hettie, he attended
the funeral. and then the little
council was held which decided the
fate OF so many.
There was 20 sensation when the
quiet funeral procession wound its
way down the green hill TO the pretty
ChurChyard. Few knew that the once
popular Voice Of the People" was
laid 70 rest here, that the man who
had taught sedition and treason,
whose voice had been as a flame OF
fire. slept his last long sleep in the
churchyard The waves sang his
requiem.
Martin Ray had left nothing but
his name. In one sense his daughters
were pleased that it was so. II dis
proved. they thought, most con-
clus!veIy many of the charges
brought against him. He had not
made money out Of his starving ad-
miTeTs.
The funeral was over. and the
general and his TWO nieces sat in the
little parl0r. where the blinds were
stiI drawn and the gloom Of death
still fingered. Now that the last
solemn rites had been performed, the
general was anxious 10 return home;
il was OF no use spending even an
other hour in SOuthwOOd. But he
wanted to take Hettie back with him.
At their first interview he had been
so enirely captivated BY Leah that he
had not taken much notice of Hettie.
He remembered only that she was
fair, sweet, and winsOme, and that
although he was angry and irritated
with her. he could not help admirins
her faithful love and devotion TO one
OF the most unprepOssessing of men.
He had taken her sister away, and
had forbidden all mention OF her
name: but his anger had been
against the girls father, and not
against herself. Now that her father
was dead, it seemed to him the most
natural ching A. the world that he
should adOnt her.
He asked ser to return with him,
10 live with him a. his daughter, and
not 20 leave them again. He liked
her ali the better because she was in
no hurry TO accept the invitation.
The girls heart was still sore with
the Old pain. She could not forget all
at once that this man who was will
&c nHnwHna
daughter had denounced her father
i'm most unmeasured terms; she
could not forget the scene in the
gloomy little house in Manchester.
In death. as in life. her heart was
faithful TO her father. Had he lived,
she would have refused every over
ture from Sir Arthur; as it was, she
was with difficulty pesuaded even 10
listen 70 him
on the day OF the funeral he asked
her what she intended TO DO. She
told him that she should live on
there at the cottage and continue her
teaching. She could always earn
enough money for her maintenance.
Sir Arthur looked at her. so young,
so fair, so refined. and he vowed 10
himself that IL should never be.
Then he talked 10 Leah. He wcEld
do nothing without consulting her.
Her eyes filed with tears when she
heard Of his generous proposal.
1T Is the only thing wanting 10
make my life perfectly happy" she
said. 4 love Hettie So dearly, No
one will ever know what IL cost me
70 leave her"
Yet it did not seem sure that
Kettle would consent To live in
grand houses. TO wear costly jewels
and rich dresses, TO nave every
luxury that the world can give, was
not much 10 Hettie. The world could
really give her nothing. for she knew
Il had nothing to give. The generals
cfFer would have been no temptation
20 her but for her great love for
Leah. Sir Arthur was perfectly
frank.
Leah" he said. I look upon as
my adopted child. as my own daugh-
ter. From the moment she turned 20
me. acknowledging her mothers
wish-from that moment she has
been 10 me my own. You, Hottie,
can never take her place. nor even
stand near her in my Affections"
To which Hettie. with a slight
flush on her fair face, said that she
had not the least wish TO rival Leah.
that she had chung TO her father. and
that. IL the choice were offered to her
gEain. she should do the same thing.
Sir Arthur was not in the least
offended az her words; he seemed TO
like her all the better for them. He
kissed her. and her face flushed a
little az his caress.
Come with me, hsttie," he said.
You shall be my daughter. Leah is
my heiress; but I will give you
fortune"
4 do not wish any fortune" she
answered. simply: Il have no use for
money uuf I dn want Leah. 4 would