Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-10-11

d "hS me-" AOi 4dIliSI COuIu 81 III SPARE
and perhaps the sharpest pang she ell
dured was felt by her on the morning
when he called her into the study and
gave her handsome set of pearls
This is my present, DEAR" he said,
his eyes dwelling on her with tender
love and pride Your mothers Jew.
els are yours by right, and | shah give
| them to you on the morning of you.
marriage but this is my present 1t
| is not-he faltered for a moment-'it
is not so rich as | should like, but"
She stopped him by putting her
arms round his neck and drawing mis-
worn face to hers.
Why did you buy me anything
dear she murmured. 81 only want
what | have got-your love!" and she
strained him to her with an almost
protecting embrace. But though the
squire's eyes filed with tears az he
bent over her, hers were dry and hot
and wore restless, feverish express.
sion.
Restless would indeed describe her
state Of mind since the day had been
fixed for the wedding.
AS Aunt Amelia said reproachfully,
it seemed as If she could not remain in
one place for five minutes together,
or settle to any one occupation. She
wandered about the house and grounds
during the day and paced her room at
night, her eyes fixed with a restless
unquieL vacancy. But she wore the
mask before the world so we'll that
not even Faradeane could read the
anguish and misery which tortured
her; an If at times the ordeal through
which she must pass seemed too terri.
BILE TO be endured the thought of her
father and the peace she would pur-
chase for him neryed her for the sac.
rifce.
Meanwhile BARLEY Bradstone mad
filed The Naples with an army of up.
holsterers, and new and luxurious as
the place was already, it was to DO
made still more gorgeous for the re-
ception of his bride.
Two days before the wedding, which
was TO take place on the Wednesday,
it suddenly occurred to him that he
had not yet got best man; and,
prompted by a malicious desire to
make the most Of his triumph, he pro-
posed that Faradeane should occupy
that position.
They were sitting at lunch. and
Faradeane had walked across to the
Grange and allowed himself to be per
suaded to stay.
II want you to be my best man on
Wednesday, Faradeane," said Brad. |
stone in an off-hand way and with a
sidelong glance at olivia She kept
her eyes fixed upon her plate and did |
not see the swift change which came |
over Faradeanes face. For a moment /
he was silent, and BARLEY Bradstone, |
taking it for consent, went on airily: |
ut isn't difficult part, believe; |
anyway, I'm sure you'd play it capital
he, squire?"
The squire looked at the grave face,
which had grown paler even than
usual, but was perfectly calm and
self-possessed.
VIII you, Taradeane?' he said in
his quiet way.
Faradeane, carefully avoiding look
ing in Olivias direction, shook his
head
81 feel honored by Bradstones re.
quest, sir but | am sorry to say hat
| am engaged on Wednesday,"
what" exclaimed BARLEY Brad
stone. You don't mean to say that
you are not coming to the wedding?
Why l should fancy you will be the
only man in the county who won't be
he, Olivia?"
She made a slight gesture when |
might mean anything but did not
raise her eyes.
Then my room will be more ac-
ceptable than my company" said Fara-
deane, with smile. You will have
no difficulty in getting someone to
fill so honorable post, Bradstone.
am sorry | cannot"
oh but YOU must manage to come |
to the wedding and the breakfast-or
whatever they call it now; it can't |
very we'll be breakfast at ha1f-past |
three clock in the afternoon. You
must come, Faradeane-musn't he,
Olivia?"
She looked up for a moment and
past Faradeane, avoiding his eyes,
"Mr. Faradeane says he is engaged,
she said quietly.
"Oh, but" began Bradstone, but
Faradeane stopped him with a certain
compression Of the lips which BARLEY
Bradstone remembered seeing on his
face when he seized him by the arm
outside the terrace
1T is impossible he said, almost
curtly
BARLEY Dradstone shrugged his
shoulders.