Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-06-14

| MN lNdL BGItle dIlUDSL 6ldItu at u III
He Is the essence Of good-nature, ant
has exerted it on-On several occa
sions | hope you'll like him BERTHE
OF course | shall-if you wish II,
said BERTHE, promptly and heartily.
Il wish it?" repeated the squire, al
most frowning; why should L
Then he stopped short and rather in
consistently said, with something like
irritation, my dear BERTHE, the maj
has settled here in our midst, and
and is our neighbor. But don't let Us
talk any more about him. Come in
OF course you will dine with u.s."
But, strange to say, BERTHE, with Z
faint accession of color, pulled out his
watch and shook his head.
Il can't I'm sorry to say. I'll come
over to dinner tomorrow If may"
The squire looked disappointed.
II thought your father would have
spared you tonight, my boy" he said
"But come over to us tomorrow, then,
he added, as he shook his hand.
BERTHE fingered a moment or two be
side Olivia, after the squire had gone
up the steps.
What do you think of Mr.. Brad
stone, Olivia?" he said in low voice
Olivia smiled family; then her brows
contracted
Exactly as you do" she replied
| and held out her hand.
BERTHE took 1t and held it.
yes? Then why on earth does the
squire have him here, and-and--
praise him, and all that" he asked.
Il never knew him make excuses for
cad before.
Olivia looked straight before her.
Il give 1t up" she said; ask me
another"
BERTHE looked at her ayerted face
with a half.troubled questioning, then
his brow cleared.
Il tell you what 1t is, olivia" he
said, as if he had found the solution,
the squire Is too goodnatured by half,
that's what it isl
81 daresayi" she said, quietly.
Mind, we expect you tomorrow -
and covering him with one of her rare
smiles as with flash of sunlight, she
drew her hand from his clasp and
ran up the steps.
BERTHE watched her till she had dis
appeared through the French window
watched her with an expression on his
handsome girlish face that made it
very sweet and tender with its rever,
ent admiration; then, with a little
sigh of wistful longing, turned and
walked quickly across the lawn.
He passed out into the lane that led
TO The Dell, and stopping at the rustic
gate, pushed 1t open
AS he did SO man dressed some
thing between a butler and game
keeper came toward him.
Can see" commenced BERTHE;
then he stopped. for the mysterious
stranger" himself appeared In the
doorway and walked down the path
Halo! why, my dear"
Mr. Faradeane,' interrupted the
owner of The Dell Come in Lord
Granville" and he opened the door.
Berthe coloring with look of mys.
tlllcatlon and bewilderment, passed in
and followed his host into the sitting
room of the cottage, The latter shut
the door, and placing his hands-they
were long and white as a woman's but
as strong as blacksmith's-on Ber-
ties shoulders, gently forced him into
chair,
'Well?' said Mr.. Faradeane, standing
over him and looking at him with a
strange smile, which was as sad as the
shadow that dwelt In his eyes.
"Well?"
Well" repeated BERTHE, almost
glaring at him. MY dear"
"Faradeane," interposed the other.
What on earth does this mean?'
continued BERTHE.
Instead of replying mis- companion
took u cigarcase from the mantel-
shelf and tossed 1t to him, then slowly
aud deliberately lit his pipe.
BERTHE took cigar. but instead OF
lighting 1t, stared round the room; at
the old oak chairs and table, at the
gun-and-pistol rack over the fireplace,
at the books in the bookcase, at the
grave and singularly handsome face
of his host
"A Light" said Mr. Faradeane, with
smile which was almost an amused
one. Better smoke, my dear Berthe;
there is nothing like tobacco on these
occasions.
BERTHE piantly and helplessly lit his
cigar and, still staring at the dark,
thoughtful face, said:
"Woll, this beats"
Cock fighting" filled in Mr. Far.
deane. Fire off all your battery OF
astonishment, my dear BERTHE. Don't
mind me"
Yes; but | say" exclaimed Berthe.
This is-don't you know-extraordi-