Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-05-31

eager curiosity, then turned aside
with as sudden an attempt at indif.
ference, the laughter died away
abruptly and sudden change came
over her expressive face. 1t was as
II she had hardened it. A moment
ago II had been full Of girlish mirth
and abandon; now In an instant 1t
was eloquent Of reserve and almost
hauteur.
What Is the matter, Oliver" asked
Mr.. Vanley, not irritably, but with a
touch OF sober earnestness almost
amounting to anxiety, which was al
ways present with him. What are
you laughing at? Good afternoon,
Mr.. Sparrow"
| Inc young man came forward
do tell Us, Miss Olivie," he said,
throwing as much eagerness into his
voice as possible. Pray let us share
the joke"
1T was no joke" she said, calmly;
and turning away, began to arrange
some music.
Miss OLIVE was laughing at me-"
said Mr.. Sparrow, almost plaintively.
my dear Edwin-and you, Mr..
Bradstone-you must hear this
strange story of Mr.. Sparrow's. Now,
Mr.. Sparrow, | insist" exclaimed
Miss Amelia, clasping her hands in
the latest intensity"
Mr.. Sparrow was nothing 10th, and
Mr.. Vanley sank into a chair with so
palpable an air of resignation that a
smile fitted across her face. Perhaps
that encouraged BARLEY Bradstone,
Tor he approached her in a slow, hest
tatlng kind of fashion, and talked to
her In low voice-he was watching
her cold, downcast face covertly all
the time-while Mr.. Sparrow inflicted
his story of the mysterious stranger
upon Mr.. Vanley
The master of the Grange listened
in silence until the narrative was
complete, and the old gentleman
paused to see the effect of his recital;
then Mr.. Vanley looked up and said,
quietly:
Not very promising neighbor.
one would think he was insane; not
that the purchase of The Dell is the
act OF lunatic, 1t is the prettiest
little place in the county"
He rose as he spoke, and. walking
to the window, looked out pensively
at the chimneys of The Dell, which
just peeped over the tops of his own
elms growing on the slope of the lane
at the bottom of which The Dell
nestled.
| Yes, it is, said Miss Amelia; "and
| am sure | have always wondered
why you didn't buy it yourself, my
dear Edwin, seeing that it is almost
within your own estate"
Mr.. Vanley's face clouded for an
instant, and he cast a glance toward
BARLEY Bradstone; then he said,
with a slight shrug:
Il have quite enough to worry
about. Besides, | didn't know that Mr..
Sparrow wished to part with it."
Il dldn't-that is, | had no idea of
1t, said the old gentleman, nervously.
"The-the fact is, this young man
Mr. Faradeane, | mean-took me by
surprise"
AT all events, you have got your
price for it, said Mr.. Vanley, as if
rather tired of the subject, "aud r.
with grave smile-"should in all
probability have beaten you down"
I'D rather you had bought it at
half the price" murmured Mr.. Spar
row, meekly.
well, WELL" said Mr.. Vanley, al.
most impatiently 1T Is too late
now, and-there's an end of the mat.
ter He turned to the pair at the
piano, and regarded them for a mo-
ment. Il shall be in the library If
you want to see me before you go.
Bradstone,' he said
BARLEY Bradstone looked over his
shoulder carelessly-too carelessly
for young man addressing his
senior.
"All right" he said, "Il look in
as | go"
To be Continued.