Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-05-27
CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX.
The successful manager came in brisk
and smiling. He was still IN his gay
dressing gown and slippers but apologize
ed courteously for a deshabille he de-
clared to be owing to his eagerness to
behold her-an eagerness, by the by,
which had not prevented his stopping
before his glass to see that his hair and
whiskers We're in perfect order, and those
wrinkles which began to remind him of
his age carefully smoothed away
You are an early visitor he said:
but most welcome one. 1t is the first
time you have honored me with a call;
may it be an augury of many pleasant
hours to be spent together. You have
brought me that definite answer / asked
for some few days since, have you not?"
She nodded assent for her lips seemed
parched with inward fever, and her voice
failed her.
"Well, little one, and what is it to be?
Yes2 ] thought so!'
"Stay; you are assuming too much. /
must first know how it is that, in direct
violation of your word you have COM
menced proceedings against the Glen
aughtons in my name, and yet without
apprising me of what you are doing?"
Suffer me to correct one or two err
rors in that little speech" he answered,
deliberately. 81 have not threatened any
one with a suit but Darcy Lesmere;
neither have broken my word in SO do
ing. The promise you had from me re-
lated to the General Snd not to his
nephew. For the rest, / saw no good
purpose to be gained in telling you my
plans"
81 will not seek redress at the hands
of the lawv' cried Lestelle, vehemently.
81 forbid you to proceed with this suit"
"You will not be of age for some
months, my child; till then, / shall adj
vance your interests in the manner /
think best. 1t is the first time l ever
heard young lady take exception to
clear rental of fifteen thousand a year."
"Show me the proofs Of my birth!'
she exclaimed, without appearing to hear
this last speech.
He drew out his pocketbook.
at has cost me no little trouble to col
lect them. l have been at considerable
expense in finding the witnesses to the
marriages; their evidence is in the hands
Of our legal advisers, also copy of the
certIficate of the nuptials; the original
l shall have the pleasure of reading to
you. Excuse me-" he said, as she ex-
tended her hand for it. Il do not per
NIT this valuable document to leave me
for one moment"
He read the yellow, faded slip Of pa
per- which certified that a marriage had
been performed at little church
among the Hampshire hills between Es-
Their Haverill and Arden Lesmere; and
the hope Lestelle had been cherishing,
that some deception had been practiced
upon her was gone.
For a moment she bowed her head on
her bosom, and fancy wildly pictured
Darcy robbed Of his high estate; of the
congratulations that would be lavished
upon her by those who would not dream
of the pain they inflicted; of the sensa-
tional paragraphs that would I'LL the
daily papers; and then she rose III I'M
controllable agitation.
at must not be! l cannot bear It'll
Spare Darcy Lesmere the shame and
disgrace which now threatens him, and
] will do whatever you ask"
Paulton frowned. rs 1t wholly for
this young mans sake that | find you so
humble? Remember, warned you not
to admit his visits"
"True; l disobeyed you, and you have
punished me for my folly. Is it not
enough? Need you dwell on this sub
ject any longer?' she queried, impatient
ly.
He pointed to the chair from which
shehad risen. "Sit down, Lestelle, and
let us perfectly comprehend each other.
You wish this suit against Mr.. Lesmere
quashed If l consent, what do you
give me in return?"
at is for you to make your demands,
and for me to comply with them If l can.
have had letter from the lessee OF
one of the New York thenters, offering
me very handsome terms for a rev
nights performances. l could add toll
cradle sum to your treasury IT l accept
ed the offer, and / am willing to enter
into any engagement you choose TO pro-
pose"
bah! you talk nonsense" he answer
ed rudely. Have not already told you
that nothing but your hand will satisfy
me? Become my wife, and Darcy Les
mere may keep his estate if he chooses.
But Lestelle eyed him suspiclously.
"You are strangely ready to relinquisn
the wealth you were n moment since so
obstinate in pressing on me"
''Is no one capable Of disinterested
act but yourself, little one? ne retorted.
IF l cannot have you with dowry, !
must take you without one. So that l
win my pretty bride, / shall be content.
You are deceiving me! Your proofs
are not as conclusive as you have repre-;
scented them. Do your worst VIII
await the issue. / will not fetter my
self until am sure that there is no otne1
way of saving Darcy"
Wyett paulton's smile vanished, ana
pushing the table away, he came and
stood before her.
"Lestelle, there is no other way; l
swear to YOU that there is not! Whether
this young man be dear to you as Drotn,
er or lover, he must and snai lose a..
nn,ess Won become mine. / viii not have
the plans and hopes of years set aside
FOR n pirl's silly fancy"