Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-10-04
CHAPTER XIX.

Mr.. BARLEY BradstOne, as he left
the garden after his remarkably I'M
pleasant interview with Harold Fara-
deane, decided to strike while the
iron was hot. He had got the net
round olivia; he resolved to draw 1t
tight. From that evening he kept a
close guard on himself, and his man
ner changed-for the better. In fact,
to the casual observer he would have
passed as a remarkably good-tempered
man. He was polite to the servants,
deferential to the squire, attentive t"
Miss Amelia and to Olivia was de-
voted and reverential.
Not only the Grange people, but
outsiders noticed the change.
"Bradstone has improved since his
engagement" said Lord Garfield.
But daily intercourse with Olivia
Vanley would tame savage and edu-
cate a bear
He watched Olivia as cat does 4
mouse, and she was quite afraid Of ex-
pressing a desire for anything lest he
should rush off and procure 1t for
| her.
To Harold Faradeane, too, his man
ner was quite friendly; and he had
plenty Of opportunity for showing It.
for Faradeane came often to the
Grange now
Sometimes he would walk in after
| l. 81 atiunoc IaFnra tbou boJ
| finished. In the latter case he would
sit and talk with the squire until the
meal was over; then go round his
stables with him or ride over to some
farm on the estate. And Olivia
noticed that whenever Harold Fara,
deane came her fathers face bright
ened and lost something Of its anX-
| ious look In fact, the old man had
conceived a great liking for the hand
some, gravefaced owner Of The Dell,
liking that grew day by day into Z.
warm friendship.
To Olivia, Faradeane's bearing was
one Of quiet, respectful courtesy. At
| first the color had risen to her face
! and her heart had leapt at his al
prevail; but, though his appearance al
ways sent thrill through her, she
learned to master her emotions and
! greeted him as calmly as he greeted
her.
Sometimes he would be persuaded
to walk over and dine with them, and
! thnun uh 10 mt pf
her best frocks and was more than
usually careful with the thick coils
/ of hair which nestled like a crown on
her shapely head. Often she stood be-
her and looked at herself with a
! strange, absent air; seeing not the re-
| Election Of her own face, but his, as
she recalled It on the day he had bent
over her and taken her in his arms.
Then she would sigh heavily-and
ah! so wistfully and wearily-and go
down to the drawing-room to see his
tall, patriCian figure and handsome
face beside the plebeian one of Bart
ley Bradstone, her future husband.
All through the dinner BARLEY Brad
stone would cOvertly watch the two,
even while he was apparently ell
gagged with his plate or In talk with
the squire; but his sharp, suspicious
eyes never detected the slightest hint
Of any understanding between her
and Faradeane. Always pleasant and
| courinnuc cpn,ntinns witty ap1 onuG.
ing, Faradeane never singled her out
for any special attention of any kind;
and BARLEY Bradstone guessed moth
ing of the scene in the woods, had no
idea of the effect upon olivia which
every word of Faradeane's, every
smile of his, produced.
The days sped on without anything
of consequence occurring until Bart
ley Bradstone struck
, One evening, just after the post
had come in, Olivia went into the
study to get fresh supply Of note pa
per and found the squire pacing ur
and down. with an ashen face anc
tightly drawn lips. In his trembling
I hand was an open letter, which, a
her entrance, he crushed up anC
=, thrust into his pocket.
"Papa!" she said in low, anxiou:
voice, and going up to him instantly
what is the matter?"
Nothing, nothing, dear!" he said
, and his voice sounded harsh anC
strained. THAT is, have had
q troublesome letter"
Let me see it. dear" she said, put
= ting her arms round his neck.
mo, MOI" he replied, hurriedly. n
1t is nothing you would understand
only n business matter"
}, But let me see It, dear" she plead
|, ed. 81 may be able to help you: a
- any rate, l can share the trouble witt
you" she added, sweetly.
| But he shook his head.
O mo, no; YOU could not help me