Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-12-03
By CHARLES GARVICE

SIR
The squire drew back into the
shadow and groaned:
MY poor girl"
The doctor went round and taking
his arm, led him outside into the cor
ridor.
Come, squire" he said, gently but
firmly, you mustn't give way; our
only chance is to keep her free from
excitement. If can only keep her
quiet she will be safe. If not-the
first thing to do is to get rid of Mr..
Bradstone."
Get rid of him?' groaned the
squire
Yes he said; his presence here
in the house affects her; there is no
accounting for the fancies of fever
Tell him how i'll she is and persuade
him to go home, so that may tell
her he is gone. Leave the rest to me.
I can manage very we'll with Bessie
for nurse; and no one else must enter
the room. You understand"
The squire grasped his hand and
wrung it.
Yes. 1 understand" he said sor-
rowfully. 81 will do as you say-if
he will co.
Tell him her life depends on it, -
said the doctor sternly.
The squire went downstairs into the
library, and Barley Bradstone turned
and faced him. His eyes we're blood
shot, his lips hot and dry, and his
hands plucked nervously at the edge
of his coat
Isis she better?" he demanded
huskily.
The squire shook his head.
My poor child is very ill, Barley"
he said. 81 fear there is danger!
You must go home!"
Yes said the squire; the fact of
your being here in the house agitates
her-her mind is wandering. You
will go home, will you not? 1 will
send to you every hour
To his surprise BARLEY Bradstone
made no remonstrance.
CPL go if you-if she wishes it, he
said staring at the carpet like man
in dream. Yes, of course"
'I'll tell them to get carriage
and yet the noise. Will you walk?"
Yes" he said; then he looked up
with sudden start of fear, and shud-
dered. Eyes, I'll walk; but-but I'd
like to have someone-one of the SER
wants with me. Tm-I'm upset, you
see," he stammered, wiping the cold
sweat from his brow.
The squire looked at him and the de-
canter; but his gentle nature found
some excuse for him.
MY poor fellow!" he said. "But
this will not help you," and he pointed
to the brandy
mo, I know; but-I'm upset, I'm
dreadfully upset. This-this murder
business"
The squire sighed deeply.
MY brain is in whirl. 1t was
the sudden shock that struck my poor
girl down. There is some hideous
mistake. some dreadful mystery! e
is impossible that he can be guilty.
'He-he didn't deny it, said Bart
ley Bradstone, sulenly. The squire
looked at him with sad surprise.
''You do not think him guilty?" he
said.
az? Oh, no; certainly not was
the quick response! "But-but OF
course it's mystery. II wish it
had happened at some other time.
Curse it! It will never be found out"
Eyes, it will be found out" said the
squire, solemnly.
He took two or three turns across
the room, his hand to his brow; then
he stopped suddenly.
"Why, l remember! 1t must have
occurred while you were on your way
to The Naples. Did you hear moth
ing? The glade is not far from the
drive"
BARLEY Bradstone was putting on
his overcoat, and stopped with one
arm in the sleeve.
who II" he exclaimed Indignantly.
What do know about it?" Then,
recalled to himself by the squire's
look of sad establishment at his tone,
he continued more quietly, "For
sake don't let me be mixed up
in the business; that-that would
make it bad, for Olivia, you know. l
I cut across the park in the other
direction"
with the carriage?" exclaimed the
squire.
mo, no, 1 didn't take a carriage;
didn't 1 tell you? l thought I shou d
save time by running across the parl.,
/ wasn't anywhere near the
spot, I'm glad to say. They can't
force me to attend the inquest and all
that. can they?' he asked, averting
his face.
The squire shook his head.
No, as you know nothing about
it," he said
BARLEY Bradstone drew a breath of
relief.
That's all right" he said "Olivia
would he awf1I1Iv cuf mn 3f 7 rof