Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-06-05

over her mead.
Heron, is it your" she said.
1t was many years since he had
come to her thus. He used to come to
her in this way when he was boy,
and in some boyish trouble, wanting
advice and money, frequently the lat
ter.
"Is it you, Heron?" she asked.
"It is I, mother" he said.
She looked up as he came to the
fire, and seeing his face in the light
OF the solitary candle, she started as
Rose Vavasour had started.
care you better, mother?" he said,
leaning against the mantel-shelf, and
looking down at her.
eyes; I am better" she said. my
head still aches. But-but, why are
you so late?"
For though we have spoken Of
quarter of an hour, Sir Heron had real
ly been sitting some hours over the
fire.
81 am rather wakeful, mother he
answered.
''Yes?" she said, interrogatively
''You have not come to quarrel with
me, Heron?"
mo"
"No, Go not; I cannot bear that you
and I should quarrel. Anything rather
than that / would give way, sacrifice
anything rather than that, and--and
have been thinking over it, and
will give way. Heron, withdraw
any objection l may have had Toto
May. Of course it has been disap-
rointment to me: You could have done
so much better. And-don't be angry
with me, Heron-I don't think she is
worthy of you'll
81 am not angry, mother
II have no objection to her personal
~, and I will try and like her, l will,
indeed, Heron, but-but-it is not
what l expected"
What did you expect, mother? How
ever, it is no matter"
mo, it is no matter, Heron" she
said; II would not oppose you, dear.
You know that! Whom have ] to
live for but you. If your heart is
set upon this girl, well, I will try and
take her as a daughter"
He was silent, and the strange look
upon his face puzzled and troubled
her.
81 could wish that the father was
was-more of a gentleman! But they
tell me that he has behaved, in one in
stance, like gentleman-he has offer
ed to give the only thing he has to
give-his money"
Sir Heron WINGED and turned his
face away.
"And / suppose l must be satisfied"
and the proud old woman lowered her
head and sighed. "Of course, l wish
it had been otherwise; I would rather
see you marry in our sphere!"
Then he speaks.
Mother l do not think l shall ever
marry"
Lady Letchford starts, and turns
her anxious face up to him.
Heron! never marry and you
mean to marry this-this May Dali
ton!'
II do not mean to marry May Dali
tom he says, sternly.
Lady Letchford looks up at him with
wild stare Of suspicion, Of relief. of
joy.
Heron"
'For Heavens sake do not look so
delighted" he says, hoarsely. There
there, mean what I say do not
mean to marry!"
'Do you mean" she says, drawing a
long breath, hat-that-this engage
ment is broken OFF,"
''It is broken off," he says, CURLY;
lit ought never to have been made.
Mother. believe you are a good wo-
man, and a true one; if did not, I
should be inclined to say that there
was not an honest woman in the
world, not one worth an honest mans
consideration
Heron, what has happened?" she
asks, staring at his pale, haggard face
with anxious curiosity.
cit is no matter; do not ask, be-
cause | could not tell you. From to-
night my lips are closed respecting
Cl1S DIISuy ILLS
isis mistake. You were right, it
seems-it should never have taken
place, and'-he pauses, and with bent
head, stares modify at the fire for
minute, Lady Letchford watching him
like mother, fond and proud, does
watch her only son when the hand of
deep sorrow holds him in it's grasp,
and she is helpless to relieve him.
And" he says, after this pause, "I
have been hard hit; I am glad it is
over. But did not disturb you to
utter plaints.I thought that you should
know that Encouragement was
broken off, and that intend going up
to London to start for-Jericho-pos-
sibly."
"Heron!" she says, arising, with
newborn fear, "you do not mean it
you will not leave the Void. Of
course I am glad that there is an end