Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-08-23
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Little dreaming of the scene that
was being enacted by Olivia and Bart
ley Bradstone, Bertio started on his
way home He meant to walk to Car.
field, and to think of olivia every inch
of the way. He had always loved
her as u boy, and when they were
playmates; but now he found his love
Of that absorbing kind which masters
"A mans Whole being and dominates
his life.
Garfield was no great distance for a
young man in first-rate condition, and
he set out at steady pace, thinking
Of olivia at very step Dearly as he
loved hor--Derhaps because he loved
her so dearly-he could not summon
up courage to tell her so. They had
been playmates together; 1t had been
"Olly' and "Bertie' for as long back
| Ak he could remember and yet-yet
he had not the courage to go to her
ana say, "Olivia, be my wifel"
81 am a coward, that's what it Isl"
no murmured, ruefuIly, Nov, If It
was Faradeane instead of me-
He pulled up short, Strangely
enough, the comparison had occurred
to him Mt the very moment he was
passing the top OF the lane in Which
The Dell stood.
After moments hesitation he
turned into it, and opened the gate.
As he did so he saw, or fancied he
saw, the figure Of man cross the
path and disappear in the shrubs that
grew on each side.
rs that you, Faradeane?" he said.
who's there p
No response CT ne, and deciding
that it was a trick Of his imagination,
aided by lights and shadows, he went
up to the door.
It was ajar, which seemed strange
to BERTHE, and pushing 1t open he en-
tered, and opened the door of the sit.
ling.room.
Faradeane was sitting beside the
table; he had thrown off his dress
coat, and was leaning on the table
with his head resting upon his arms.
"FarNdeane, old fellow" said B2r-
tie, softly.
He started, and sprang to his feet,
with look, not of apprehension, but
as If he had suddenly awakened from
some painful revcric, and BERTHE felt
| pang shoot through him at the pal
Tor and the wanness of the handsome
| face.
"Wen, Chorub," he said. Us it
you?"
Eyes, | startled you I'm awrully
sorry. We're you asleep, old MANI"
Faradcane smiled
mo, only thinking. Well, have you
como from tho Grange? Sit down.
Bertio sank into the chair with a
sigh,
eyes. I've Just come from the
Grange, I'm sorry YOU didn't join us.
left them all talking of your wonder.
full performance"
Faradeane made little gesture OF
depreciation, as much as to say that
he had already received more than
his due In that way and, placing a
cigar,box ON the table, lit his pipe.
! 1t was kind of YOU to look In
Cherub," he said: and am very
glad to see you, Make yourself com
Portable, and accept my gratitude-ant
some whiskey-and water"
AS to gratltude-weH, to ten yol
the truth-but say, old fellow,
thought | saw You in the garden IL
the front as | came in just now"
Faradcane shook his head as he
held the match to his pipe,
mo, of course not. because you were
sitting here; but could have declare,
that saw the figure of a man eros
/, in front of the window"
Faradeane dropped the match. an,
, strobe to the door then stopped short
'My man, my gardener, groom
valet, factotum," he said "He wa
r looking round for the night, daresay.
q And he sank down into a chair oppt
o site Berties And now what wa
. this truth you were going to tell me
Cheruh?"
!. BERTHE colored, and shifted in hi
a seat nervously.