Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-08-24

| was IL Jared on Harvey.
Somewhat discontentedly he took
his place opposite her at the square
table, but sullenness was not a natur-
al attribute Of his, and throwing it off
he endeavored to talk on topics likely
to interest her; but although Eva an
swered frankly, she made no effort to
pursue the subjects, but turned at
once to Sir Charles and listened with
sparkling eyes to his discursive stories
Of the days when he was in the
guards.
A quite unusual frown marred Har-
vey's face as dinner ended. Sir
Charles, with old-fashioned gallantry,
opened the door for Miss Grantholm,
and laying his hand on his heart bow
ed deeply as he did so.
Sir Charles face was beaming as he
resumed his chair. Filling his glass
he held it in the air.
Miss Grantholm, Harvey, A Pou-
trance, my boy" he added merrily, as
he placed the empty glass upon the
table.
"a Poutrance," cried Harvey mock
ingly.
"YOu mean to enter for the prize"
cried Sir Charles, but his voice showed
no enthusiasm.
II did not say So" retorted Harvey
coldly, though his Nulse was running
at twenty over normal rate. I'm the
meantime you have the advantage,
and"
Il mean to keep it." said Sir Charles
dryly, as, the sound of music reaching
them, he left the room.
Harvey fingered over his wine.
"The mere fact that I am practic-
ally penniless debars me from wooing
her," he muttered gloomily.
Sir Charles had left the door ajar
and the pure rich tones of a rich con-
tralto voice were borne into the room.
An ardent lover of music Harvey list
ened entranced; then, unable to keep
away, he in his turn entered the draw
ing room to find his father hanging
over Miss Grantholm and urging her
to sing again.
=
Day after day passed and Sir
Charles was constantly at Eva's side,
while Harvey studiously tried to avoid
her company, but without avail. Her
laugh in the garden, her voice in the
hall, irresistibly drew him to her side.
He knew he loved her, that no other
woman could occupy the place she had
taken in his affections, but he feared
/ his love was hopeless and steeled him
self to regard her as his future STEP
mother. The thought made his blood
curdle, but word, a smile, from her
was sufficient to make hope rise within
him, and for the time being he would
forget his fathers more successful
wooing. With such word and smile
she greeted him one afternoon when
he found her seated In the garden.
She made room for him by her side,
but. somehow conversation seemed to
fail them.
Il hope you have enjoyed your VISIT"
he said lamely, for she was leaving on
the morrow. 1--WE shall miss YOU"
II am glad Of that" she answered
hesitatingly, "for your father has ask
ed me to-" She paused abruptly
and dainty blush rose to her cheeks;
but Harvey's face had suddenly be-
come white and strained.
"Has asked you to-" he repeat
ed. his voice trembling. "To come
back again." she said, with a little
nervous laugh, ''and have promised
to come; that is, if you and Mary will
be glad to have me-"
Her eyes were fastened on the
ground, but she stole a hasty glance
at him and saw the misery upon his
| face.
"My father has asked you to re-
turn; does that mean''-he hesitated to
ask the question which was life or
death to him-'that some one here has
gained your lover"
1t was not the question she had ex-
| pected him to ask, and her face was
| almost as pale as his as she forced
her lips to answer. The word came
family, feebly, but Harvey heard it
and it was Eyes"
He had been holding his stick with
both hands across his bent knee, and
although the strong wood broke in
half his face showed no sign of the
pain which cut his heart.
"It is far too cold for sitting out of
DOORS" sounded Sir Charles voice
from twenty yards away. Before Eva
could stop him Harvey had leaped to
his feet and joined his father.
$50 you have gained the prize" he
said hoarsely. "Allow me to congratu-
late you. Beauty and money, youth
and love, a prize worth winning"
Sir Charles stared at him with I'M
disguised establishment.
"What does this pleasantly mean?"
he whispered angrily, looking to where
Eva sat. Then, placing his arm
through Harvey's he led him out of
| On wchnk