Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-08-27
Continued.

either of them offer what do? I've
Just told you Rather that I'd settle
fifty thousand pounds upon you.
tell you now that that's nothing toI
me; 1 didn't make it more for fear
of hurting his feelings; but l tea
you I'll settle a hundred, two hun
dred thousand"
She put out her hand.
ooh, hush!" she said, as if his
words covered her with shame. If 1t
were a million"
ooh, l know" he broke in huskily;
cts as he said. You don't care
for money. It's all the same to you
whether a mans poor or rich; but
moneys something, Olivia"
81 am usually addressed as Miss
Olivia Vanley," said Olivia, flashing
down upon him.
He bit his lip.
81 say it's all the same to you;
but it isn't to him. No! And I'll bet
that before we part tonight you'll con-
sent, as he did"
She looked at him calmly-ques-
tioningly. For a moment there arose
in her mind the suspicion that he
had been drinking, and he read it in
her eyes.
NO, I'm not drunk" he said. bit
terly; I'm only half-mad, driven so
by your words and looks! And l
mean what I say-you will consent,
as he did"
Consent to marry you!" said
Olivia, stung into retort.
Yes he said sullenly; for his
sake, if not for mine or yours"
For his sake-for my father's?"
she said.
He nodded.
yes. Look here, olivia, we've
been beating about the bush long
enough. You've treated me like
dog-yes, you have; or like the dirt
under your feet. And l don't de-
serve it. No, by God! for spared
the old man"
You spared"
Eyes, l did. 1 could have told
him what cleft stick I'd got him in,
but I didn't; knew you wouldn't like
it. 1 knew you'd rather he remained
in ignorance till the affair was
over"
I'm afraid you are wasting your
breath, Mr.. Bradstone," said Olivia.
81 do not in the least comprehend
you"
But you will presently" he said
with a half-cunning, half-furious smile.
Look here: your father, the squire,
is, as he put it, fraud"
She drew herself up, and sent a
ligrtning shot from her eyes that
made him quail.
Leave the room!" she exclaimed,
pointing to the door.
Stop" he said. Wait" for she
had swept with the dignity of an in.
suited goddess towards the bell. so
help me Heaven, it is true! He will
tell you so himself if you are foolish
enough to ask him. He is fraud
well, well, he's a ruined man, then.
Up to his neck in debts, the Grange
is sunk. the very furniture under a
bill of sale; nothing can save him
nothing. He will have to turn out.
neck and crop. Turn out. You don't
know what that means. But he does!
The day he leaves here a ruined,
broken man, dates his death-warrant!
1t does. by Heaven! and out he goes
unless you accept me, olivia"
"Unless-unless- Oh, you are
mad!" she painted.
Am 1? No. I'm not. It's you who
are mad-with pride. Do you think
I'm an idiot, and don't know what
I'm talking about? What I tell you is
true and what is more, hold your
fathers bonds"
You"
Yes" and he nodded, with a
smile. I've got 'em one and all. At
a word from me he can be sole up
and turned out. A word, sign, and"
with sudden sullen, light in his
suspicious restless eyes-"and, by
God, I'll do it if-Look here, 1t
will rest with you! Say you'll be my
wife-by Heayeni I'll do my best to
make you happy-and the day we're
married I'll put the whole of these
bonds and mortgages into your hands
you can light fire with them. And
III do more: I'll give you twenty
thousand pounds-ffty-wha do /
care! I tell you I'm a millionaire!
Money is dirt, stones, dross-you can
fling it broadcast, roll in it"
She stopped him with a gesture,
entreating, piteous, desperate.
"Does-does he-my father-know
this?" she painted.
He smiled cunningly.
NO he said. NO; l knew better
than to tell him. leave it to you to
decide whether he goes out OF the
Grange to die of a broken heart. He
doesn't know il"