Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-08-16
@ l. | Y | A
Q. 1T WAS FOR HER SAKE
Continued.
BY CHARLES CARVlCE


return of the apprehensive, hunted
look In his eyes.
Yes! What is h2 Wait a mo
mont till / have lit my cigar Now,
and he seemed to pull himself to-
gether like a man prepared to re-
ceive bad news, or an unwelcome
shock.
Barley Bradstone grew pale; he
was evidently as III at ease as the
squire
Il want to speak TO you about
Miss Vanley-Miss Olivia" he said
A tremor passed over the squires
face, and he lowered his eyes.
About OlivlaY and his voice
sounded dry and husky,
you have done much already" he
YES" said BARLEY Bradstone. Il
don't suppose you have been blind
TO the-the fact that ! sincerely ad-
mlre, and-and, indeed, that well"
he stammereG--'T love her, and !
want you No give her to me for my
wife"
AS he spoke the last word his
voice suddenly dropped and grew
hoarse and indstinct. SO much so
that the squire, who had not ex-
pected such deep emotion, started
and looked up ut him. BARLEY
Bradstone's face was perfectly white,
and his eyes were fixed on the
ground
Il have been devoted TOTO Miss
Olivia for months past" he con
tInued. I'm not good at this kind
Of thing, and | don't express myself
very WELL but what I've said Is
true. ] do love her and I'll do all
in my power to make her happy"
He cleared his throat, and took up
match to relight his cigar which
had gone out.
The squire stared at the carpet
with grave, troubled eyes for mo.
ment. He had expected this; In
his heart Of hearts he had desired
IL, and yot-yet now II had come,
IL seemed 10 chill him with an In,
dcnnablo repugnance.
Have you spoken to olivia, Brad
stone2" he asked and his voice was
rather that of man speaking of n
funeral than contemplated mar
ringe.
BARLEY Bradstone colorod.
mo" he replied Il have said
nothing to Miss Olivia. Thought
II my duty to come to you, her
father, first; It's the proper thing,
isn't ST."
Yes" assonted the squire, yes
usually, thank you--yes, of course, II
Is the proper thing. But" He
paused "Ilut | ought to tell you at
once thar In this matter my daugh.
tor will be quite unlnnuenccd by me
Il moan that she will be left to de
eide for herself completely"
"Then If she says Yes I'm to un-
dersand ,hat You will not obIect?"
said BARLEY Bradstone.
The squire looked up at him with
the halfsad, halfreluctant express,
sion In his eyes.
why should | object?" he said, as
II to himself I'VE have known you
for some time, you are near
neighbOr, and speak frankly,
Rradstone-you possess the wealth
without which, alasl few marriages
can be happy"
Yes" said BARLEY Bradstone, and
for the first time he drew himself
up, Il think | can satisfy you on
that point. | think | may say
thar olivia, will as my wife, be able
to live rs comfortably MS she has
done as your daughter"
The squire WINGED at the vulgarity
and familiarity of the speech, as he
nodded assentingly,
IT Is u consideration that has
weight with me-" he said. But !
ought to tell you though you do not
need telling, ! am sure, that It will
no have n feathers weight with
Olivia"
Most women like money" said
BARLEY Bradstone.
The squire WINGED again.
Yes, most, But nor Olivia. She
cares nothing for II. She
would be as Contented In one of the
keepers cots as here at the Grange
or AT The Maples-that is, so far as
money is concerned. But all this
Is premature and useless talk. You
have not spoken to her yet, you say.
1t will he time TOTO talk OF the
financial part of the subject after"
He paused ands Impressed sigh.
mo, | don't agree with you, sir"
said BARLEY Bradsrone, with an air
OF great respect but cycling the
grave, sad-faced old man out OF the
corner of his restless, suspicious
eyes. Il like everything to be fair
and above-board-"
Fair and above-board!" echoed
the squire, almost angrily.
II mean straightforward and
plain stammered BARLEY Bradstone.
i must tel you what intend to do
If Olivia accepts me and becomes my
wife"