Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-08-23

could persuade"
Stop Are you going mad?" ex-
claimed Faradeane, sternly
BERTHE looked up and saw that the
handsome face had grown white al
most pallid.
What have said?" he exclaimed
penitently Have | offended you?
| didn't mean to do so. What I said
is true. You have an influence over
her"
Faradeane rose abruptly and leaned
his elbow upon the mantelsheff and
his head upon his hand, and there
was silence for a moment; then he
raised his head. You are talking ar
rant nonsense" he said, not sternly,
but coldly. Miss Vanley thinks no
more, cares no more, is no more in
huenced by me than than she is
by her foOtman. Put such an absurd
idea out of your foolish head. She
does not give a thought to me, whom
she has not seen for more than few
minutes, on as many days. Talk
sense, Cherub, or-or go home to
bed"
BERTHE looked up at him with a
firmness which was almost obstinacy
you may bully me as much as you
like, Faradeane," he said, and not
without certain quiet dignity, the
dignity Of conviction. But you won't
succeed in convincing me that you have
not great influence over her. Why,
| watched her-do | ever take my eyes
off her?-every time you spoke; and.
whatever she was doing or whoever
she was listening to, she turned TO
you at once. Besides, don't you In
tluence everybody? Haven't you al.
ways been able to do anything you
liked with everybody? And Olivia
OH | could see tonight that she
thought more of you than anyone
else"
The pale face seemed to grow hard
and set as if with some hidden strug
gle, some suppressed pain.
THAT is enough Of this nonsense"
he said. Love works madness in
some mems brains. 1t has worked
madness in yours. | am no more to
Olivia''-he stopped, and swept his
hand acros his brow, with gesture of
annoyance-"I mean Miss Vanley, than
the beggar at her gates"
BERTHE rose, pale too, and with an
expression of disappointment.
"Then-then you won't do this for
me, Faradeane?"
eff you mean, will go and ask Miss
Vanley to accept you, go to her ana
propose for you | certainly will not"
was the swift, almost stern response. |
GO to her yourself! Why do you |
think 1 am made of wood, clay, iron |
that can bear any better than you |
the mockery of her laugh, the scorn
of those eyes"
BERTHE stared at him.
"Why, what will it matter to you?"
he said innocently. "You won't be
asking her to be your wife"
For the first time Faradeane's face |
grew crimson, and his dark, sad eyes |
dropped.
"Sit down." he said, pointing to the
chairF "Your madness is affecting
me. 1t is catching. Sit down. Ber-
tie dropped meekly into the chair, and
Faradeane paced up and down the !
room for moment or two then he !
stopped suddenly and looked down at
the handsome, the girlish face, with
its trusting patience. "You-you still |
persist in this insane idea of yours?"
he asked, almost harshly.
BERTHE nodded.
Yes, do. Faradeane if you knew
how much | rely on YOU"
Faradeanc uttered an impatient ox-
clamation.
But | do. See here | have a kind |
of faith that if you- if you would tell
her toto accept me, that she'd do |
it. Laugh at the idea as much as you |
like, but you cant destroy it. It's
there, and can't get rid of it. ely |
mean Faradeane, for Heavens sake |
say 'Yes!'
Faradeane looked down at him with !
steady yet dreamy gaze; then he
seemed to straighten himself, to brace
himself as it WERE and said, slowly:
'Well | will do it,"
BERTHE sprang to his feet, his face
flushed with relief and qualification;
but Faradeane held up his hand.
stop! No gratitude! No thanks
If you knew how hated ne stop
ped and bit his lip-"how disliked 1t,
you would not say word"
BERTHE seized his hand.
But must thank you, old fellow!
The best, the dearest"
when am to do this?' interrupted
Faradeane in a strained, harsh voice.
soon! As soon as you can to-mor-
row!" replied BERTHE, all in a fervor.
II can't wait any longer can't in