Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-09-03

/ raised her hand.
He took it, and his own closed round
it with a quick, almost painful grasp
| ''You say yes! he said, then he
| dropped her hand as if some hidden
pain had overmastered him, and
sprang, like a wild animal breaking
| it's bonds, to his feet. BERTHE is a
happy mani" he said, almost hoarsely,
| turning away his head.
Her hand fell into her lap, her face
grew white, her eyes expanded with a
look of doubt, dread, horror.
'Bertie!" she breathed.
| He turned slowly and she saw that
his face was as white as her own, and
reflected something of her own horror.
Eyes, Bertie,'' he said, almost sternly,
as if struggling against some terrible
impulse. ct is of Bertie-Lord Gran
ville-I have been speaking. 1t is for
| him l have been pleading"
'For-him!'' she painted, her bosom
| heaving, her hands clenched spasmod-
ically.
EYES," he went on more hurriedly.
HE has loved you since you were
playmates, loved you with all his
heart and soul, so passionately that
he feared, dreaded even to tell you,
lest you should make light of it! Why
| do you look at me so? Are you
angry? God knows it was unwill-
ingly enough that / did it! would
sooner-but he won me over! l was
mad to promise him, but l did so, and
Miss Vanley!-Olivia'- he
drew nearer-"did you think"-nis
breath came fast, a light, almost
fierce, flashed in his eyes-"did you
think-Heavens! 1 can't speak it!'
She had found nerve and strength
the strength which is born of shame.
All her soul seemed burning with the
shame of the mistake she had made;
every nerve throbbed.
| T-I'-she panted-'I don't under
stand. Of course it was-Bertie."
He drew back and looked at her
| fixedly, grimly.
"Of course it was-Bertie. knew.
Yes, 1 knew and she almost stamped
her foot, "and 1 meant to tell you, ii
you had given me time, that-that it
was-'No!' "
MOI " he echoed.
moi" she repeated almost fiercely.
"No-a hundred times! Go and tell
him that if 1 loved him as he says he
he loves me, would not stoop to
marry a man who sends another to
to-plead for him."
He still looked at her with grim,
fixed gaze.
'Is that your answer" he asked, in
so low tone that it was almost maud
ible.
cit is" she responded, with pant.
"Why do you not go? You can tell
| him." with cruel smile, that you
did your best, that you are not to be
blamed; that if he had any chance
you would have succeeded in your
mission. Yes" with a strange thrill
''you-you did your best!"
He stood with his hands behind his
back, his head lowered under the
storm of her fierce, maiden passion.
"Why do you not go?" she repeated,
impatiently, cor do you wish me to-"
He held up his hands as If to stay
her; then, not even lifting his hat,
turned and left her.
Out in the park, out of her sight, he
man who has received an overwhelm
ing shock, which, for the time, has
bereft him of his senses; then lie
went towards his horse, Nhich was
quietly nibbling at the boughs.
AS he did so he heard a sound be-
hind him, a sob, such as one hears
from the woman whose heart is
breaking.
He dropped the bride, and a shud
der ran through him as he stood for a
back. She was lying full length
upon the ground her arms extended,
her face lying upon the grass, her
hands cIenched the bracken; pic
ture of living soul writhing in an
agony of shame and wounded love.
116 was DSSluG uSI III du Ills IduIJ lLlo
strong arms around her, his voice,
full of passionate love and self-re
proach, calling on her name.
OLIVIA! Olivia! my love! my love!
OIivia!"
Weakened, exhausted, she was pow
erless to resist him, and he held her
in his arms, her supple form pressed
against his breast, his eyes looking
down into hers with a mad, wild hum
ger, an infinite sadness.
A moment-ah, but it was life
time passed, then suddenly cold
wave seemed to sweep over him, and,
still holding her, he rose to his feet.
She felt the change, be it what it
may, and arew back from him, lean
ing against tree, painting and CULVER
ing.