Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-09-06
D CHARLES CARVICE

| Il 40 want money! sne SAID,
calmly. you promised, offered me,
how much?"
you shall have all you want" he
replied promptly. I'm not mean
man; no one has ever called me that.
III settle forty, fifty thousand
pounds"
Settle" she said; what does that
mean?"
1T means for your own use; tied to
you"
She thought a moment.
How much is it that-that my
father owes?' she asked.
Her lips twitched.
Forty thousand or Whereabouts"
"You know, Of course, you known"
she asked, and her eyes dwelt upon
his with dull questioning.
His face redeemed.
II happen to know" he an
swered. Fifty thousand would clear
him"
ut Is large sum of money" she
said and she murmured, poor
papa!"
1T Is" he assented ITS a big
sum, look at 1t as you will; but Pm
ready"
you viii give 1t to me-giye 1t to
me uncondtIonally?" she interrupted
in low. clear voice.
Eyes, I'll give It to you the day we
are married and Internationally. You
can do what you like with 1t. Fling It.
In the gutter or--Or-hand 1t over to
the squire. It's large sum of
money slowly, reluctantly-"but|
It's nothing to me. You don't know
nobody Inows-how rich am. I've
made money by the hatful; I'm max.
Ing 1t now. You shall have every.
thing you want; every wish, however
oXtravagant, shall be gratifed. mi
make a settlement on you in add.
ton to that"
She shook her head
i want that sum, and no other"
she said, slowly 81 want that money
to do what | like with"
you shall have IT," he responded
eagerly
And you are content?" she asked, |
her eyes resting ON his face with a
calm wonder that was more terrible
than contempt. "You are satisfied
with your bargain, content to buy
me"
"oh, Miss olivia" he cried, de.
procatingly.
"l'Gt you have bought me-" she
aa'd In low voice, land you know
IT, You do not expect me to love
you, You only wish me to be your
wife, and you ask no questions
He redeemed; then turned pale.
Il ask no questions" he said.
and his voice came husIally and
heavily mo, am content. II
don't suppose | am the first man
who's made love to you. You're too
beautiful"-Ollvia glanced at the glass
as If at some other face
"too-too good a match for me TO
hope for that. But III chance all
that"
"You will take the risll?' she said
In low voice
Her words seemed to affect him
strangely lie changed color. and
dartod look Of dstrust and sus-
picton mt her from his restless eyes.
What do You mean? What rlsk?"
he said, neryously.
She shook her head.
Risk of the future" she said
Does anything but unhappiness aud
misery spring from such marriage
as this would be?"
lie drew breath--it almost seem.
ed of relief.
"Oh, as to that" he said. Il am
not uneasy Why should we be un.
happy with everything we want,
everything that money can buy? It's
the people who are poor who are
miserable and disconnected. They
have to pinch and screw and stick
In one place; while we-you shall do
as YOU like SO as you like. I'm foud
OF The Maples-beCause it's near the
Grange, and-and YOU; but If you
don't like 1t I'll buy another place
for you anywhere. | think told
you that the other night; know If |
didn't | meant it, | spend all my time
thinking how | can please you, and
viii do it! what do you say? Let
me have an answer. lit isn't fair, |
1t isn't like you, who are so kind and
thoughtful always to-to other peo-
pie, to keep me In suspense"
NO" she said, as il to herself, ut
is not fair. And have made up my
mind. | had made 1t up beforeI came
into the room"
You had?" he breathed, evidently |
in an agony of conflicting hope and
fear.
Yes MIR, Bradstone. | meant to &C.
cept your proposal tiff you would
promise me the money"
He came forward with half-fearful |