Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-08-20
Continued.

4SLulA VI Tic Cpp4
look in his eyes.
yes! What is il? Wait mo-
ment till 1 have lit my cigar. Now"
and he seemed to pull himself to-
gether like a man prepared to re-
ceiVe bad news, or an unwelcome
shock.
BARLEY Bradstone grew pale; he
was evidently as i'll at ease as the
squire.
Il want to speak to you about
Miss Vanley-Miss olivia" he said.
A tremor passed over the squire's
face, and he lowered his eyes.
About Olivia?" and his voice
sounded dry. and husky.
You have done much already" he
Eyes," said BARLEY Bradstone. Il
don't suppose you have been blind
to the-the fact that l sincerely ad-
mire, and-and, indeed, that well"
he stammered-'T love her, and
want you TO give her to me for my
wife"
AS he spoke the last word his
voice suddenly dropped and grew
hoarse and indistinct. So much so
that the squire, who had not ex-
pected such deep emotion, started
and looked up at him. BARLEY
Bradstone's face was perfectly white,
and his eyes were fixed on the
ground.
Il have been devoted TOTO Miss
Olivia for months past" he con-
tinued. I'm not good at this kind
Of thing, and I don't express myself
very we'll; but what I've said is
true I do love her, and I'll do all
in my power to make her happy
He cleared his throat, and took up
a match to relight his cigar, which
had gone out.
The squire stared at the carpet
with grave, troubled eyes for a mo-
ment. He had expected this; in
his heart of hearts he had desired
it, and yet-yet now it had come,
it seemed to chill him with an in
definable repugnance.
Have you spoken to Olivia, Brad
sl'one?" he asked, and his voice was
rather that of a man speaking of
funeral than a contemplated mar
riage.
Barley Bradstone colored.
No" he replied. Il have said
nothing to Miss Olivia. l thought
it my duty to come to you, her
father, first; it's the proper Thing,
isn't it,"
YES" assented the squire. Yes
usually, thank yOu-yes, of course, ii
is the proper thing. But" He
paused. But l ought to tell you at
once thai in this matter my daugh-
ter will be quite unin1uenced by me
i mean that she will be left to de
eide for herself completely"
Then if she says Yes I'm to I'M
derstand that you will not object?"
said BARLEY Bradstone.
The squire looked up at him with
the half-sad, half-reluctant express
sion in his eyes.
why should I object?" he said, as
if to himself. I'VE have known you
for some time, you are a near
neighbOr. and-I speak frankly,
Bradstone-you possess the wealth
without which, alas. few marriages
can be happy"
Yes" said Barley Bradstone, and
for the first time he drew himself
up. Il think l can satisfy you on
that point l think l may say
that Olivia, will as my wife, be able
to live as comfortably as she has
done as your daughter"
The squire WINGED at the vulgarity
and familiarity of the speech, as he
nodded assentingly.
1t is a consideration that has
weight with me-" he said. But l
ought to tell you, though you do not
need telling, l am sure, that it will
no have feathers weight with
olivia"
Most women like money" said
BARLEY Bradstone.
The squire WINGED again.
Yes. most. But not Olivia. She
cares nothing for it. She
would be as contented in one of the
keepers cots as here at the Grange
or al The Maples-that is, so far as
money is concerned. But all this
is premature and useless talk. You
have not spoken to her yet, you say.
It will be time to-to talk of the
financial part of the subject after"
He paused ands Impressed a sigh.
mo. I don't agree with you, sir"
said BARLEY Bradstone, with. an air
of great respect, but cycling the
grave. sad-faced old man out of the
corner of his restless, suspicious
eyes. Il like everything to be fair
and above-board-'
Fair and above-board!" echoed
the squire. almost angrily.
Il mean straightforward and
plain stammered BARLEY Bradstone
Il must tel you what I intend to do
& OIir-in nnnnr4C mo and l,r,no-,no- ~