Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-09-10

| and tell the squire ne SAu,
smothering a sigh Of disappoint-
ment
| She turned on him quickly.
"You will not tell him"
about our bargain? No, trust
me-" he said, with a sharp smile and
| a CLEAN of cunning in his small eyes.
Goodbye, then,-till-"
He waited for her to fix time, but
she merely murmured Goodbye
and with a wistful glance at her he
! left the room.
She stood looking out at the bright
flowers, her face pale, and wearing
the rapt, preoccupied expression it
had borne all through the interview.
Then, as she heard the door open,
she forced a smile to her lips, and
turned with her back to the window
| to receive her father.
"Olivia!" he said coming to her
quietly. rs this true?"
That l am engaged to Mr.. Brad
stone, papa?" she said, with an I'M
natural cheerfulness. "Quite true.
Has he told your
Yes; the poor fellow is half-mad
with joy; 1 never saw him so-but
| let me look at you!"
And he took her in his arms and
looked at her searchingly.
She bore it for a moment or two,
then hid her face on his shoulder
Are you pleased, papa?" she said
in low voice.
"Pleased?" he echoed, and there
was a strange ring in his grave voice,
vague anxiety. Eyes, yes-that is,
| if you are pleased. 1t is for you TO
decide, my child. l have said all
along, l have told him repeatedly, that
not by word or look would l seek to
influence you. If I have, it has been
unconsciously'
mo, dear" she murmured. "And
you have not. 1t is Of my own free
willard you are pleased? Tell me,
papa"
She seemed to crave word Of ap-
prevail or satisfaction from him.
"Of course l am pleased" he said,
gravely. 'Bartley-by the way, You
must not call him Mr.. Bradstone any
more-Bartley is good fellow. |
have always said so, and though you
might have done better, as the cant
of the world goes, he is a wealthy
man, very wealthy man, think,
and that means so much now, Olivia.
And he stified sigh.
yes" she said, softly. Il know
that, and Mr.. Brad-Bartley'-
name seemed to leave her lips awk-
wardly-''is generous"
81 think so, l think So have al
ways said so" he assented, as if he
were eager to emphasize the good
points of his future son-in-law. did
he speak to you Of money! he said,
after a moments pause.
Yes" she replied. He told me
that l could have as much as l want
ed. That was generous, papa?"
VERY. 1t bears out my estimate
of his character" he said, his brow
knitting itself. "He-he told you
that?'
Yes she said in low voice.
Heaven grant you have done wise
iy!" he said. "Of one thing there
can be no doubt; he loves you very
deeply, olivia"
Yes" she assented.
And your
She kept the brave smile on her
face.
81 shall make him as good wife as
can, DEAR" she said. Il think ne
will be very happy"
He drew her to him and kissed her..
1t is of your happiness | am think
ing he said in low, nervous voice
But l think you have done right.
Heaven send you every joy, my child.
You have BEEN and will still be, all
the world to me-all the world" He
broke off abruptly, as if unable 10
continue, and, gently releasing her,
walked aside for a moment. Then
he came back to her. "You will live
at The Naples, olivia? could not
lose you'll could not! There must
be an understanding bargain"
A faint shudder ran through her at
the sound Of the hateful word.
There shall be bargain, dear,
she said, smiling. Mr.. Brad-Bart-
ley has just told me that we should
live where I please, and the nearer l
am to you-ah, if we could only live
here?"
why should you not?" he respond
ed, eagerly; then he checked himself
with a laugh. No, that would he
asking too much even of BARLEY, gen.
erous as he is. But The Naples is
not very far, is it? Not very far.
shall see you every day. You will
still be the sunlight of my life, the
comfort of my old age. See how
selfish | ami"
She flung her arms around him with
{ a sudden abandon, and he felt her