Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-10-15

| and perhaps the SldrpGSI pduS she SH-
dured was felt by her on the morning
when he called her into the study and
gave her a handsome set of pearls.
/ This is my present, DEAR he said,
his eyes dwelling on her with tender
love and pride. Your mothers jew
els are yours by right, and l shall give
| them to you on the morning of youf
marriage; but this is my present. 1t
| is not-he faltered for a moment-'it
| is not so rich as / should like, but"
/ She stopped him by putting her
arms round his neck and drawing his
worn face to hers.
why did you buy me anything
dear " she murmured. Il only want
what have got-your Lowell" and she
strained him to her with an almost
protecting embrace. But though the
| squires eyes filled with tears as he
bent over her, hers were dry and hot
and wore restless, feverish express
! sion.
Restless would indeed describe her
state of mind since the day had been
fixed for the wedding.
AS Aunt Amelia said reproachfully.
| it seemed as if she could not remain in
one place for five minutes together,
or settle to any one occupation. She
| wandered about the house and grounds
during the day and paced her room at
night her eyes fixed with restless
unquiet vacancy. But she wore the
mask before the world so we'll that
not even Faradeane could read the
anguish and misery which tortured
her; an If at times the ordeal through
which she must pass seemed too terri
BILE to be endured the thought of her
father and the peace she would pur
chase for him nerved her for the sac
rifce.
Meanwhile BARLEY Bradstone mad
filed The Naples with an army of up
holsterers, and new and luxurious as
the place was already, it was to be
ception of his bride.
Two days before the wedding, which
was to take place on the Wednesday,,
it suddenly occurred to him that he
had not yet got best man; and,
prompted by malicious desire to
make the most of his triumph, he pro
posed that Faradeane should occupy
that position.
They were sitting at lunch, and
Faradeane had walked across to the
Cro,ro oo5 o1Iouad him calf tO ho NOR
suaded to stay.
81 want you to be my best man on
Wednesday, Faradeane,' said Brad
stone in an off-hand way and with a
sidelong glance at Olivia. She kept
her eyes fixed upon her plate and did
not see the swift change which came
over Faradeanes face. For moment
he was silent, and BARLEY Bradstone,
taking it for consent, went on airily:
ct isn't difficult part, believe;
anyway, I'm sure you'd play it capital
ly-wouldn't he, squire?"
The squire looked at the grave face,
which had grown paler even than
usual, but was perfectly calm and
self-possessed.
"Will you, Faradeane?' he said IN
his quiet way.
Faradeane, carefully avoiding look
ing in Olivias direction, shook his
head.
81 feel honored by Bradstone's re-
quest, sir, but 1 am sorry to say hat
l am engaged on Wednesday,"
WHAT exclaimed Barley Brad
stone You don't mean to say that
you are not coming to the wedding?
Why, I should fancy you will be the
only man in the county who won't be
there-won't he, Olivia?"
She made a slight gesture which
might mean anything, but did not
raise her eyes.
Then my room will be more ac
ceptable than my company" said Fara-
deane. with a smile "You will have
no difficulty in getting someone to
fill so honorable post, Bradstone.
am sorry l cannot"
"Oh, but you must manage to come
to the wedding and the breakfast-or
Wu1ISNS1 IACJ OuAA Az INV ~ NeeAA
very well be breakfast at ha1f-past
three o'clock in the afternoon. You
must come, Faradeane-musn't he,
Olivia?"
She looked up for moment and
past Faradeane, avoiding his eyes.
"Mr. Faradeane says he is engaged"
she said quietly.
"Oh, but began Bradstone, but
Faradeane stopped him with a certain
compression of the lips which BARLEY
Bradstone remembered seeing on his
face when he seized him by the arm
outside the terrace.
ut is impossible he said, almost
curtiy.
BARLEY Bradstone shrugged mis-
shoulders.