Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-10-25
CHAPTER XXI.

BARLEY Bradstones forehead as no
looked at the handsome, deyil-may-c
face of the woman who with her arms
akimbo, stood regarding him with a
mixture of amusement and contempt
combined with an enjoyment OF his
discontinue which WIS almost tiger
ish.
At last he managed to find his voice,
very weak and feeble one.
"This-this is a surprise, Bella he
said, forcing sickly smile.
Eyes, suppose It is" she retorted
"A pleasant surprise, OF course.
What's become Of the elegant manners
you used to sport 80 freely? Anyone
would think | was an ogre instead OF
handsome Bella!' You see | haven't
forgotten some of your compliments.
Yes, 1t is a surprise for both Of III.
! thought you were across the SET.
That was clever idea OF yours, send
ing the money every quarter from
France It took me in, II did indeed!
I suppose you thought ! should run
after you, didn't you? Run after
you'll" and she laughed with scorn.
What are you doing down here?
Give an account Of yourself, BARLEY?
Have you got such a thing as a ciga-
rette about you? The smell Of that
cigar has set me off longing for
puff"
Io handed her his silver clgar-casc,
and sho smiled as she saw how his
hand shook.
Here light It," she said, with
nonchalant air Of command.
He 1T the cigarette, and handed it
to her.
Now, then" she said, blowing the
smoke through her handsome nos
trils. Let's have n true and particu.
lar account Of yourself"
'T'm-Pm staying here for n time"
he said trying to speak in a careless
matter-offact tone Il haven't
been quite the thIng--France didn't
suit me-and | ran down here for a
change I'm going back almost di
roctly"
She loked ut him with charming In
credulty
81 don't believe word OF It. she
said nicling the ash from her Gig,
arctic, and leaning against tree IN
an easy attitude, as II she were lean.
ing against the ropes of her trapeze.
II doa't believe you've been out OF
England Mt all; and what's more.
don't care You may go where You
like, and do what you like for what
care, Barley
He drew n breath OF relief, and the
color came slowly back to his face.
"Then-then You didn't come down
here after me?' he said, with ptiful
attempt at n laugh
II certainly did not" she retorted,
with unaffected scorn. 81 came down
here"-and her eyes twinlled--" be
cause the mir of London didn't agree
with me, and thought I'd take q
change. Como down after you! why,
man what do want with YOU while
You pay me my allowance reguIarly?'
81 thought" he began.
you nattered Yourself too much. ="
she broke In, And YOU don't ask
what I've been DOING" with u smile.
Il hope you've been enjoying
yourself" he said, conciliatlngly.
"a lot You care! As Il happens
have been enjoying myself, I've made
hit, and I'm one OF the great London
favorltes Barley. What do YOU think
Of that, oh? Did you over hear Of
Bella-Bella?"
He shook his head
mot youl You've been away from
England SO long, don't YOU know" aud
she laughed sarcastcally, "Wcll, Tw
Bella-Bella the Flying Swallow.
There isn't one to touch me ON the
trapeze. they say; and ! believe they.
re right. I'm making quite a pile
am; but I'll take my allowance all the
same, thank YOU, MIR, Rradstone!
Lord, how frightened YOU look still!"
and she stared and laughed ut him
Il daresay YOU wish was dead"
nv N''A t'u, anu ElHHNtu Ut utE UNI
der his brows
I'm sure I've wished the same
many and many time. But I'm alive
still, you see, and kicking" and she
folded her legs and stuck out her
ankles Very much alive. fancy
shall outliye YOU my dear. though
do risk my neck every night Drop In
at the Palace of Amusement when
you're in London next, and have look
at me"
II will he said.
And so you're staying in this dead.
and.allye hole are your" she said
eying him curiously Il wonder what
you're up to; some sly game or other.
III be bound. You always were up TO
a lay of some kind, weren't you?
What is 1t now, eh?"
Il don't understand YOU" he said,
with affected carelessneSs