Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-09-17
Q l. | Y | a
Q. 1T WAS FOR HER SAKE
By CHARLES cARVCE
CHAPTER XIV.
By CHARLES CARVEcE

sense of sight and hearing. I'm
guided the animal bore him to the
gate, and then Faradeane, with an
effort, raised his head and threw off
the kind of lethargy which had held
him.
He threw the bride to his man and
entered the cottage. AS he did so,
BERTHE sprang out of chair to meet
him, with an eager, anxious express
sion then he stopped short and ut
tered an exclamation of dismay.
Great heavens! are you ill?''
Faradeane closed the door careful
Iy, and dropped his hat on the table.
''No-that is, yes; it's of no con-
sequence" He went to the sidebOard
and drank some wine. Il beg your
pardon; help yourself. You'll wan
it," he added, not unfeelingly, but
with sad decisive air.
"Then-then you've seen herr" fall
tered BERTHE. 4 thought you would
go to her this morning. You have
seen her"
Yes, I have seen her." assented
Faradeane, drily.
"And-but there is no need to ask
you the result" breathed BERTHE, like
a man resolved not to show the agony
that is devourinG him.
my face is that of an unsuccess-
full ambassador, is it? Yes, my mis-
sion has failed, Cherub. l am sor-
ry."
BERTHE turned his back to him and
said, hoarsely:
What did she say? Tell me-"
what did she say?" repeated Fara-
deane, dropping into chair and pass
ing his hand over his brow with a
weary gesture, as a smile of bitter
self-mOckery shOne for moment in
his eyes. 81 don't know. What does
it matter?"
You don't know" echoed BERTHE,
turning to him. For Heavens sake
try and remember! II can bear it,
whatever it was. Did she laugh?" and
his lips quivered.
Taught No, she didn't laugh
much" replied Faradeane, grimly, as
the vision of the slim, graceful form
lying full length in its abandon of mis-
cry rose before him.
Then she took it seriously? What
did you say to her, Faradeane?"
81 said all could. I did my best.
Believe that, BERTHE. l can't tell you
what l said, but l pleaded as if'-he
paused, and his lips came together
tightly-"as if 1 were pleading for my
self. I could do no more. Would to
Heaven had not done so much!" bit
terly.
"And what did she reply? Did she
say No straight out?"
NO she didn't"
Then there is-there may be some
hope. You took her by surprise; she
was frightened, perhaps. She'll think
it over" said BERTHE excitedly.
Faradeane rose and laid his hand
on his shoulder firmly yet pityingly
"Cherub, there is no hope" he said
in a low, grave voice. q should be
your bitterest enemy, instead of your
best friend, if I allowed you to think
that there was. There is none. Ac-
cept it, BERTHE, once and for all. Be a
man: there is no hOpe-there never
has been. If you had pleaded for your
self, if an angel had pleaded for you,
instead of me, it wouldhave been the
same"
'She-she never cared for me?"
Eyes, she cares for you as a sister
cares for a brother. Be content with
that"
Content BERTHE burst out. Con
tent! You are mad, Faradeane!'
Il dare say" was the calm, sad as
sent. I'VE are all more or less mad
Cherub; but I would rather be loved
as a brother by Olivia-Niss Vanley--
than as a husband by any other
woman"
He stopped abruptly, and BERTHE
stared at him.
you can't know what love-such
love as mine-is!" he said.
Faradeane smiled
Perhaps not" he said, grimly.
81 tell you-but what's the use of
talking? Faradeane, my life is
ruined. I don't care what becomes Of
me. staked everything upon her; l
loved her as no man ever loved
woman before. I-oh, old fellow, tell
me the truth! Is there no hope for
me-"
Faradeane shook his head.
Not a fragment" he said, solemnly.
eff went to her myself"
CAS- you should have done at first
said Faradeane, grimly. Would to
Heaven you had. No, BERTHE none
Don't go to her. Accept my report.
Why should you harass her? tell
you that there is no more chance of
her marrying you than there is of