Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-10
By Charles 0arvics

{ lie goes 10 Inc U0ll, EuC uS UOO0 ~
ring it; instead, he turns back tt
his old place, and says, in a low voice
do not go tonight. Stay-for MI
sake"
She smiles, and arches her eye
browg.
VERY WELL" she says. Il will i
you wish it. But you must come an6
sit down, you are like Banquo's
ghost"
He smiles grimly, and drops into
his old chair.
A servant comes in and removes the
tea service. Lady Letchford rouses.
! What are you talking about?' she
says. "Have you any news, Heron?'
mo" ne says. 1--WE were talking
about ghosts"
"A cheerful topic, is it not!
! laughs Rose. "It ought to be &C
compapied by slow music, and she
gets up and goes to the piano, hum
ming softly.
The old lady arises stifiy, and muir.
muring something about her WORK,
goes cut Of the room.
Heron opens the door for her and
then retires to his chair; as he does
SO Rose begins to lay a soft, low-toned
sonata. that floats through the room
IN waves Of dreamy music; then,
without stopping, she glides into a
song, and again there is something
in her voice which strikes. him as new
n ntS nS a
subtle charm, and when she ceases,
he says. gently:
"Do not stop Sing something more. "
Her fingers wander over the keys
lightly. and she sings again; then
she moves back to the fire and stands
behind him, half leaning on his chair.
Something, some indescribable feel
ing compels him to turn his head and
look UP at her, and as he does so, ne
meets her eyes bent down upon him
with a sad, wistful tenderness that
sends the blood to his face and back
again. leaving him, as he rises and
bends over her, pale and excited.
"Rose!" he says, In low voice.
With a sudden glance she turns
away, her eyes tremulous with moist
ure ner lips quivering. She turns
away, her face downcast, her hand
faltering at the bracelet on her arm;
her fingers temble SO that the brace
1t comes unfastened and falls. with
dull clink, to the ground.
He stoops and RECEIVERS it, and holds
it UP for moment, then he takes her
hand and slips it over her soft, warm
arm. AS he does so, he feels it
tremble beneath his touch.
He looks up.
what is the matter?" he asks, in
low voice.
She raises her eyes and lets them
rest for a moment. meekly pleading
on his.
"Why are you angry with me?' she
murmurs.
"Angry9' he echoes, with his eyes
fixed on hers, his spirit troubled by
the distress in her beautiful face.
Angry? I am not-yes, am angry
am sick and disappointed. What is
this about Cornvale, Rose?"
She looks aside, and attempts to
draw her hand slowly from his, but
,, he holds it firmly in his hot fingers.
What is it?" he repeats. ''Is this
what they are rumoring true? Can it
be possible that-that-"
She turns her head still further
away; her long lashes sweep her
face, now pale as lily; her bosom
heaves with what he may well mistake
for distress.
us it true" he says, sternly. chat
he means to ask you to be his wife,
eyes," she falters, almost iDaudibly,
sit is true-he has asked me-"
He drops her hand and PAGES to and
fro, and she sinks into chair, with
meekly bent head.
Rose" he says, standing over her,
do you know what you are doing?-
do you know this man? He is old
enough to be your fathers father, bad
enough"
He pauses, for, with a sudden ges-
ture, she looks UP at him.
"I know! Why should l care? Heron,
do not reproach me; II cannoG bear
hard word, an unkind look from
you!"
! And as she speaks she puts cut one
hand, and lays it timidly, 1mploringly
on his arm. her face turned up to
! him with passionate pleading.
! Blame him as you will-call him
tickle and unstahle-but while you
blame, remember that the face so UP
turned is that of the most beautiful
woman of her day-that the voice pos
sessed as subtle a power to charm as
Cleopatra of old-that her hand
caressed and courted caress-and
that the man was storm tossed and
wearied.
Under the eloquence of that soft
white hand which clings to his arm sc
appealingly, his resolution wakes
| fainter and fainter.
Rose" he murmurs, this must moi
| be!-by Heaven, it shall not be! II