Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-11-15

the father she loved SO passionatel,
and was leaving
Yes, miss, | understand" she muir
INJURED.
Shall we go DOWN. said Olivia, -
Besie put on her hat. 81 am readyin
and she raised her eyes to the glass
mechanically.
The sight of her white, death-like
face startled her.
Il look as if were going to die.
she said, duly. "Oh, if it were but
true! Ii l could die now-nowt' and
a spasm convulsed her face.
Hush, hush, dear, dear mistress!,
implored Bessie. Wait; there's a lit
Tie time left still. Wait till they send
for u.s."
She flung on her own jacket and hat,
and then, going on her knees beside
! olivia, put her arm round her.
Forgive me, miss, she whispered,
but | love you, and my heart
! b.eeds--"
For answer Olivia laid her cold face
against the girls faithful one and let
it rest there.
| The time was up; the guests had
gathered in the hall with the custom
ary slippers and handfuls of rice The
bride and bridegroom's carriage was
at the door.
Pacing to and fro in the study was
the old man who was now to lose his
darlingo only child the pride, the joy,
the solace of his life.
He, too, had bourne up well through
out the trying day; but he was feeling
that his strength to command himself
was growing weaker; and he waited,
longing, dreading, for the moment OF
farewell.
The best man hurried to and fro,
glancing at his watch anxiously
Times up" he said to Lord Car
field. They'll lose the train if they
don't mind. Where the deuce has the
fellow got to?"
Lord Garfield looked up at the great
hall clock.
He went nome to fetch something
he had forgotten. That was-oh, an
hour since; he should have returned
long ago. Perhaps he is with the
squire, or somewhere about the place.
The young fellow went to the study
door and opened it, then Closed it soft,
ly and reverently.
mo" he said, anxiously. "The
squire is there-alone. Bradstone
may be in the house; but | don't see
now he could get in without our see
ing him. But I'll look"
He was gone four or five minutes;
then he came back looking still more
worried and anxious.
He's not in the place, confound
him!" he said, Il don't know what
to do
Aunt Amelia came fluttering out IF
the drawing-room with one deliberately
embroidered slipper-which would
have fitted child of four but which
she fondly hoped would be mistaken
for her own.
Where's dear olivia? Where
Bartley?' she simpered, with an by +
terical little giggle. isn't it time
they started? Why, what is the mat
ter?" she demanded, looking from che
TO the other of the now silent and Gu,
rious groups.
Hang it all, said young Vernon,
the best man, Il must do something
or | shall go mad. Look here, I'll
dash off to The Naples. If | find him
there I'll bring him; if DON'T
mean If he passes me on the way
tell him I've gone on to the station to
take the tickets. Every moment will
be OF consequence. Don't be upset, |
Miss Vanley," he added to Aunt
Amelia, who was already exhibiting
signs Of Mysteries; its all right!
I'll bet ten to one Mr.. Bradstone will |
be here before I'm back" and he
dashed off.
The study door opened ana the |
squire looked out.
OLIVIA" he said 'isn't-isn't the
time up?'
Lord Garfield went to him, ana put |
ting his arm through his, drew him
into the study again.
There's a little delay squire" he
said. There is plenty of time"
Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, |
and then there came upon the air the |
sound of rapidly approaching wheels, |
n carriage stopped at the door, a |
groom sprang to the heads of the |
steaming horses, and Vernon jumped
out. Then he turned, and the crowd |
watching from the hall saw him help |
Bradstone out
He was pale, but for two spots that |
burned like blood upon his cheeks, |
and his eyes glittered unnaturally.
'IHurrah. here they are!" said |
someone Look sharp, Bradstone!'
The two men came up the steps into
the hall Vernon with BradStone's arm