Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-08-23
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 to
me; didn't make It more for fear
of hurting his feelings; but | tel
you I'll settle a hundred, two hun
dred thousand
She put out her hand.
"Oh, hush" she said, as If his
words covered her with shame. IF 1t
were a million"
ooh, | know" he broke in huslSlly;
ITS as he said. You don't care
for money. It's all the same to you
whether mans poor or rich; but
moneys something, Olivia"
Il am usually addressed as Miss
olivia Vanley,' said Olivia, flashing
down upon him.
He bit his lip.
~ gay It's all the same to you;
but II isn't to him. Mo- And I'll bet
that before we part tonight you'll con
sent as he did"
She looked at him calmly--ques
tloningly For q moment there arose
in her mind the suspicion that he
had been drinking, and he read 1t In
her eyes.
mo, I'm not drunlf!" he said, bit.
terly; I'm only half-mad, driven 80
by your words and looks And
mean what | say--you will consent,
as he dldl"
Consent to marry you'll" said
olivia stung into rotort
eyes, he said sullenly; "fOr his
sake, If not for mine or yours"
"For his saio--for my fathers2"
she said
He nodded
eyes Look here, olivia, we've
been beating about the bush long
enough. You've treated me like a
dog-yos, you have; or like the dirt
under your feet And don't de-
serve It. No, by Cod for | spared
the old man
"You spared"
yes, | did. | could have told
Hllil WllUl u tltIl 6llNh VI EpL MN III,
but didn't; knew you wouldn't like
IL. knew you'd rather he remained |
In ignorance till the affair was
over"
"G'm afraid you are wasting your
breath, Mr. Bradstono," said olivia. |
81 do not in the least comprehend |
you"
But you will presently" he said !
with halrcunning, halt-furous smile, |
Look hore, your father the squire
is, as he put It, a fraud"
She drow herself up, and sent
lightning shot from her eyes that
mado him quail,
Leave the rooml" 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, 80 |
help me Heaven, it Is true! He win |
tell you so himself If you are foolish
enough to ask him, He Is a fraud
well, wcll he's u ruined man, then,
Up to his neck In debts, the Grange
is sunk, the very furniture under a
uill Of sale; nothing can save him
nothing. He viii have to turn out.
neck aud crop Turn out. You don't
know what that means, But he does!
The day he leaves here ruined,
broken man, dates his deathwarrant!
II does, by Heaven! and out he goes
unless you accept me. Oliyia!'
"unless-mloss- Oh, you are
mad" she painted.
"Am |? 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 tell YOU Is
true and what is more, hold your
fathers bonds"
you"
Yes" and he nodded, with a
smile. 1--WE got EN- one and all At
word from me he can be sold up
and turned out A word, sign, and"
with n sudden sullen, light in his
suspicious restless eyes-"and, by
Cod I'll do It if--Look here, 1t
will rest with you! Say you'll be my
wife-'by Heayenl I'll do my best to
make you happy-aud the day were
married I'll put the whole of these
bonds and mortgages into your hands
you can light fire with them, And
I'll do more; I'll give you twenty
thousand tirty-what do
care! tell you I'm a millionaire!
MOI ey is dirt, stones, dross-you can
ling 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 cLnningly.
'No, he said. mo; | knew bette
than to tell him leave 1t to YOU t,
decide whether he goes out of Tho
Grange To die of n broken heart HI