Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-10-01

pected blow.
A bitter smile crossed Faradeane's
lips.
do not be a coward as well as a
FOOL he said, with quiet contempt.
BARLEY Bradstone dushed-any-
thing above a cur would have been
spurred into at least the semblance OF
courage at the terrible scorn of the
tone.
"You-you dare" he began, blus-
teringly.
Faradeane's hand dropped upon his
arm and grasped it in a grip of iron.
Speak more quietly, please" he
man"-and he smiled grimly-"if I
were as helpless in your hands as you
are in mine you would not dare to
strike me-" He dropped the arm,
which felt as if it had been seized in a
wise. Listen to me. You wish to
quarrel. I do not, for a reason which
you would not understand if 1 gave it
to you You have insulted me, which
is-nothing. You have insulted the
lady who has stopped to be your prom
/ Used wife,
Stopped" clustered Bradstone, but
very quietly.
YES but how low you alone know"
said Faradeane, his eyes fixed on
Bradstone's face, which went white.
do not venture to do so again. Why,
mainland for the first time his voice
showed signs of the emotion which
racked hinl-'have you so little sense
as not to appreciate the treasure you
have secured? Are you such hope
less fool, so utterly blinded by self,
conceit, as to undervalue the prize
you have snatched?"
81 am not so blind as not to see
your game began BARLEY Brad
stone.
Faradeane held up his hand.
Silence" he said, sternly. do not
connect her name with mine, even III
your thoughts. You know as little Of
my heart and my motives as You
know-Heaven help you!-of hers.
Be content with your success; try, IT
Heavens name, try with all the
strength you possess, to be more
worthy of her. You think you love
her-be sure you reverence her! /
use no empty threats, BradstOne, when
l say-I who am separated from he-
by a gulf that can never be bridged-
that l demand her happiness at your
70 in
you have done tonight-"He stopped
his face set, his eyes flashing. Then
he laid his hand upon the other mans
now trembling arm. That's enough;
we understand each other, l think"
81 want to know" stammered Bart
ley, looking him up and down, but care
fully avoiding meeting the steadfast
regard Of the now calm eyes.
you want to know by what author
ity I dare bid you to be careful of her
happiness as you would of your wealth.
BY the authority which goes with the
title OFFEND. Yes''-his voice
changed-'I am Miss Vanley's friend
in more than name. I know You,
Bradstone, l read you through and
through the first time we met, and
warn you agatnst-yourself 1t is be-
cause l am her friend that I will not
quarrel with you. More: I am will
ing to regard you as'-the words
came with some difficulty" friend
so long and no longer, as you guard
and protect her happiness. The mo-
tn that "A
stopped and looked the craven stead
lily in the eyes. go in now, and II
you have spark of manliness and
gratitude in you, beg her pardon.
Stop!" for Bradstone, not daring to
utter the oath which trembled on his
lips, made a movement as II TO
avail himself of the permission to re-
treat Think over what l have said,
and for the future do not regard me
as-your rival. If you and Miss Van
ley had never met there could have
been no closer tie between her and
me. ~et that satisfy you. Goodnight.
AS her future husband, Bradstone,
offer you my hand"
Bradstone took it with lowered face.
and Faradeane with another steady
look at him, turned and walked away.
hartley Brafstone stood staring 81
the ground for a moment or two; then
he raised his head and, shaking his
fist in the direction Faradeane had
taken, relieved himself with a series
of oaths.
If, as the Spaniards say, bad mems
curses come home to roost, Mr.. BaN
ley Bradstones future hen-coop would
have been full Of them.
Friend! Yes, know the sort of
friend I'm not taken in by your
fine talk I'm not such fool as you
take me for! Friend! I've got a
treasure, have +? Yes, a treasure
you'd like to rob me of; but you won't,
I think, my fine Mr.. Faradeanei No,
1 think not! You threaten me, do
you? I'll show you'll Yes, and I'll
show her when-when I've got her
safe and sound And I'll have her
soon, tool" he breathed paSsjonately.