Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-02-25

will you be my wife in fortnight
from now?"
He had put IL abruptly, almost
sterniy, in his intense anxiety, and the
words seemed to stun Joaa.
"A fortnight" she repeated, duly.
with catch in her breath.
yes" he said, gently, persuasively;
why should you not? You know that
love you, you know how dearly look
forward to making you my wife; why
. should We not be married at once? All,
dearest. feel that once my wife
could more easily teach you to love
nc Ida, say yes"
j. T-I-" faltered Joan, feeling as
II the fowler's hand was already grasp
>, ing her
Think, dearest. Fate is on my
side; you cannot play for three weeks.
| have seen Mr.. Giffard; there is a
i difficulty about theater that will give
a week for the honeymoon. Oh, Ida,
don't cast me down from my giddy
height! | have been dwelling upon
my happiness all day, and-Ida, say
yes You are not afraid to trust
yourself with me, my dearestT' he
murmured. fervently.
"Afraid?" said Joan almost hoarse
i ly; sit Is of myself am afraid"
DO not be-" he said, fervently 81
will answer for you. Once you are my
wife, l will answer for your happiness
Dearest, do not be aft aid Such love
as mine laughs at fear. If thought
there was any doubt of my making you
happy, ! would go from you now; yes
Ida, and never trouble you more"
What could she say?
She had given her word she mad
promised to be his wife; now, a fort
night, a year hence, could not matter
Say yes. dearest" he whispered
1--WE will keep it very quiet. 1t shall
be private wedding-just ourselves
and Emily and her father-no more
Say yes dear Ida"
Yes" she murmured, family. II
you wish it."
81 do" he SAID his face turning
pale with the sudden feeling Of relief
and triumph. II do wish it. | will
tell you why afterwards. All, dearest
love- how can thank you? | can
only say, L love you. love you!' and
that you know already"
He left her a few minutes after
wards and went towards home, feel
ing as II he were treading on air.
Only fortnight between him and
the beautiful creature with whom
half of London was in love; only a
fortnight between him and couple of
millions of wealth.
While he had been persuading Joan
an incident had occurred in Mount
Street which. seemingly commonplace
and usual enough. was fated to prove
of some importance in Mordaunt
Royces future
four-wheeled cab, having a lady
and her maid inside and a pile of boxes
on the roof. drove down Mount Street
and stopped at No. 11S.
The lady got out and knocked at
the door. and a servant opened it.
II think You have some rooms to
lett" said the lady. who was dressed
in deep mourning and wore veil
Yes, ma'am-miss. said the serv-
ant, uncertain of the lady's spinster-
hood. Yes. miss-ma'am; the suite
above on the second floor"
Il should like to look at Them" said
the lady. N
The servant asked her to step in,
and went and fetched the landlady.
81 wish to see the rooms. please. -
said the lady lifting her veil, and she
followed the landady upstairs.
There were three rooms. two bed
rooms and a sittingroom. and the lady
appeared satisfied.
Il have just come from the Cont
nent," she explained TO Mrs Robson.
the landlady. my name is Browne.
with the 'e'. please and am widow, 4"
and she sighed
"Ah, dear me. so young, too" MUIR
INJURED Mrs. Robson.
Mrs. Browne sighed and cast up her
eyes mournfully.
Il think the rooms will do she
/ said, after discussing the terms. 81
suppose the house is n quiet one. that
there are no noisy lodgers?"
"Oh, dear not" said the landlady:
certainly not. There is a gentleman
| on the floor below, but he is as ,Cuiet
as can be; there never was quieter
gentleman"
Il am glad to hear it," said Mrs.
| Browne. And what is his Manner
Mr. Mordaunt Royce. ma'am," said
! the landlady.
Royce? Never heard It before.
However, am glad to hear that he is
/ quiet, because can't endure any
noise Yes, I'll engage the rooms"
Then she raid months REL, in ad,
vance, and the maid and the boxes
were brought UPSTAIRS.
! so /; happeneu that when Mordaunt
Royce entered the mouse. after gaining
Joan's consent to their marriage taking
place in fortnight. Mrs. Browne was
getting comfortably settled.
| II might have been curiosity on her
part to see what her fellow,lodger was