Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-08-20

clasping and unclasping each other,
"That-that I loved you. I do love
you; I've loved you ever since
Olivia, won't you say word?
Don't, for Heavens sake, don't stare
at me like that Your father did
not treat me like this"
my father?" she said, after
pause. you told my father what
you have told me?"
Eyes, 1 did. l know what's proper,
and went and told him before
spoke t oyou. And now, Olivia, now
you know, what do you say? Wait
moment. I'm afraid l haven't
done the best for myself. Tm-Im
not a ladys man, and I've sprung it
upon you too sharply. But it was
dangerous, this hanging about and
waiting, and--and 1 got anxious. But
you know it now. I'm not a bad
sort of fellow, I fancy, and l can
offer you"
She rose from the seat and moved
| towards the door. He stood in front
of her, desperate-imploring.
Let me pass, please" she said,
quietly.
"Wait, wait!" he exclaimed, husti-
ly. You're treating me badly, like
the dirt under your feet, by Heaven!
This isn't the way l was treated by
your father"
Olivia stopped and looked at him.
"You are right and l am wrong,
she said 81 beg your pardon, Mr..
Bradstone This is not the way my
father would treat you. Whatever he
may have felt he would have be-
haved with courtesy. Yes, l beg
your pardon! You tell me that
she paused as if the words caused her
an effort-"that you love me, and
ask me to be your wife"
az do do" he broke in. 81 love
you to distraction! I haven't a
thought in the world but you! You
are just life to me; Iswear it! I've
told the squire what will do-Pd
spend my last penny in making you
happy! I'd lay down my life"
She stopped him with a cold but
queenly gesture.
Please" she said in low voice,
81 am sorry, very sorry, Mr.. Brad
stone, but it cannot be; mean that
cannot be your wife"
"You can't? You refuse?" he STAN
mered, his small eyes growing red,
and an ugy stiffness coming over his
mouth.
81 do refuse, as gently, as-as con-
siderately as l can," said Olivia. Il
am grateful to you for the honor
She stopped. ooh, let me pass,
pleased and never, never'-and her
dark brows came down straight and
majestic as Diana's-"never speak
like this to me again!"
He did not move, but stood regard
ing her with feverish and sullen re-
sentiment.
That's not what your father says,
he said.
Olivia looked at him with imperi-
Gus questioning.
what do you say?" she said.
81 say that it wasn't in this way
your father heard me-" he answered,
sullenly HE didn't treat me like
this-he consented"
Her eyes flashed back the retort,
and as eloquently as eyes could
speak, said, 'You lie!"
His face grew red; it had been
white a moment ago.
"You don't believe me?" he said.
81 do not! Let me pass, if you
please, Mr.. Bradstone."
But l say it's true" he ex-
claimed; 81 say he consented! He's
ready to accept me for a son-in-laW
if you'll say Yes and" He paused. !
q think you will say Yes with all
your cursed pride!"
The word slipped from him, and he
would have recalled it the moment
after he had uttered it.
But it's effect upon olivia was not
what he expected.
"You are right, Mr.. Bradstone," she
said, quietly; 81 am proud, and apt
to forget that others have as much
pride as 1 have. 1 beg your pardon
again. You have misunderstood my
father; l am sure of that
so, 1 haven't" he put in.
81 know my father" she said, as
quietly as before, "and it is impos-
sible that he should have-have
spoken as you say he did. Let there
be an end of this. I thank you
for the honor-it is an honor for any
oman to receive an offer from a man
i thank you, and beg you to believe
that it is impossible that I should
accept it."
''Why?" he persisted.
Her lovely eyes rested on him for
a moment, then looked aside.
His face went white.
hn cold hnqrS6IV !