Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-02-05

it all a h1doOuS dream VINO was
Finetta of the Diadem, and how could
she talk of Yorke as if he belonged
to her? How did it happen that she
wore his portrait on her heart?
Eyes, Finetta of the Diadem!" said
Finetta, defiantly. 81 should have
thought everybody knew me; but |
suppose he hasn't told you about me.
No; that wasn't likely" and she
laughed hoarsely. What are you
staring at me like that for, as if l
were "a wild animal
Leslie put her hand to her brow
with a piteous little gesture.
"I-I-it is all so sudden. Give me
time. do not wish to anger you. I
only want to ask you "a question
one or two questions. Why do you
wear that portrait in that locket"
Finetta looked at her a moment in
silence; then, with a flash of her eyes
and a discordant laugh, she replied:
That's a question to ask me, if you
like! What do you think l wear it
for?" The red deepened in her face,
then left it pale. What does a
woman usually wear mans portrait
for? I'll be bound you've got one of
his. too!"
Leslies hand went to her bosom to
the sparkling pendant, and she shook
her head with strange feeling of
injury; he had sent her diamonds, but
he had given this woman something
far more precious!
NO." she breathed almost un-
consciously. did he give it to youN
Oh! answer me quickly, and-and
truthfully. I will tell you why I
ask-I will tell you all. II am to
be his wife-I was to be his wife"
At the change from 'am to be-" to
was to be-" Ffnetta's eyes flashed,
and she lowered her lids.
"Sit down." she said, pointing to
piece of rock. Leslie sunk down up
on it, and waited with averted face.
She could not bear to look upon the
dark, defiant face, beautiful with the
beauty of fallen angel at this mo-
ment; face distorted and lined by
conflicting passions.
you were to be his wife, were
your" said Finetta, slowly, with
breath between each word. $50 was
Il"
"You?" The word dropped from
Leslie's white lips unconsciously; it
seemed to sting Finetta.
Eyes, mel" she famed out. why
not? You speak and look at me as if
as if 1 were a monster! Pm-Pm
not as young and as good-looking as
you!"
Eyes, yes! did not mean to
anger you. Go on; oh, SD on"
why shouldn't he marry me as
much as your" continued Finetta.
1--WE known him longer than you
have! I've been more to him than
you have!"
I'm as good as you are! Who are
you? You're no more OF a swell
than l am; and you're poor, t<o, amt
you? and I'm not poor. I can earn
thousands a year" She stopped,
painting.
Leslie glanced at her shrinkingly.
And if it comes to caring for him,
| recken l care for him quite as much
as you do You know that, for you
heard me talk down there, when
thought it was all over with us; and
as to him, well, I'd wager everything
I've got that in his heart he likes me
as well as he likes you or any one
else!" She laughed bitterly, and
with self-scorn and contempt.
mo, no." broke from Leslie's culver
ing lips.
But 1 say yes, yes!" retorted Fin
eta. He's just like the rest. None
of them could stick to one Of us alone
to save his life You must have lived
with your head buried in the sand not
to know that What! You think
you're the only ore he had made love
to, or that l am the only other one?"
She laughed again. ASK him whether
he knows Lady Eleanor Dallas. See
how he looks when he hears her name,
and hear what he says!"
Leslie looked at her with half-dazed
eyes and listened with ears in which
wild sea seemed roaring.
1T is false-false!" she cried,
hoarsely. 81 will not believe!" and
she put up her hands as if to cover
her ears.
well, he's deceived you easily
enough, any one could see; and if
wasn't so sorry for myself 1 could
find it in my heart to be sorry for
you'll"
Look here" said Finetta, after a
pause. Don't mind my hard words.
It's my way when Pm put out. can
see you don't believe half I say, and
that's only natural. I shouldn't if /
were in your place and didn't know
him so we'll. If you doubt that we are
both talking of the same man, take
this locket and look at it again!" and
she held 1t out.
'No. Won don't want to look at it