Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-09-20
Continued.

really ana Ol1Vla paused 10 gatheT
up some fancy-work from the piano.
''He was such a great friend Of Ber-
ties was he not? And | don't won
der. Such a charming man! ! really
do wish he were little more-more
sociable. You might ask him to din
ner again, Edwin"
The squire rose and shook his head.
1T Is no USE" he said. "Mr Fara-
deane has plainly indicated his desire
to be left alone. ] asked him yester-
day, and several days before, when I
met him out riding. ] am afraid he
has been, and Is, H."
Olivia put her hand upon the door,
but still waited.
"Oh, am so sorryl Fancy, how
dreadful to be Ill and all alone In that
solitary spot!" said Miss Amelia.
poor mani ! really think you ought
to call Edwin, and You too, BARLEY. |
wonder"-with an air of maiden timid.
ity--"if he would think It intrusive or
Or pushing If sent him some beef
tear"
The squire laughed quietly.
Better not, you think, Edwin?
Well, perhaps SO; one cant be too
careful But ! really think you ought
10 call BARLEY"
81 will If you like" he said, but not
very readily. Shall !, Olivia?"
She turned her pale face slightly to.
wards him.
Il do not care" she said, and open.
ing the door, went out, and up the
stairs to her own room. She stood by
tn white bed looking dreamily before
her for u moment or two, her fathers
words echoing duly In her ears; then
she remembered why she had come up
stairs and was about to ring for her
maid, when great wave Of heat
seemed TO sweep over her.
II cant 20 back and listen to them
talking Of hIm-~not just yet, not just
yeti" sho mrrinured, putting her hand
to her throat. "Iie has been ill--but
what is ho to me?" with a dry sob
Her hat and fur cloak were lying on
n chair, and she took them up alb
sently, and putting them on, went
down the stairs on to the terrace.
Just five minutes alonel" she muir
INJURED, Five minutes to think-no.
to forget Oh, If could forget"
And she beat her hand upon the bal
ustrade. ut would all be 50 easy If |
could forget"
She stood for n moment or two look.
ing wistGully down into the dusky ave.
nue.; then n SUDDEN desire to lose her.
self in It's shade possessed her.
"lll 80 and see Bessie" she muir
INJURED, She had not been near the
girl since tho engagement, fearing the
scrutiny of the simple, loving eyes
more than she had dreaded aught else
"Yes, III go and see Bossie!" and she
passed down tho steps.
AS she did so, BARLEY Rradstones
commonplace figure came out by the
drawingroom window and stood
clearly defined against the light.
"Olivia! Oliyia," he called
She drew back in the shadow and
set her teeth; then, us he went In
again, evidently to look for her In the
house she glided rapidly into the ave
nue., and went towards the lodge. She
had almost reached It, was within
touch of the big gates, when the figure
of n woman passed through the open
one and stood before her.
Olivia's nerves were strained to
their utmost tension, and she shranI,
back with low cry of alarm.
Tho woman stretched out her hand
peadngy,
Don't don't. miss " she said In
suppressed whisper 1--WE not come
to hurt you!"
who are you? What do you
want?" asked Olivia, trembling u lit
tie, yet recovering her presence Of
mind, for 1t seemed to her that she
had heard the voice before.
Tho woman came nearer, and the
light of the lodge window falling on
her face. Olivia saw that 1t was the
gypsy who had .old their fortunes ut
the picnic.
"Iou know me, YOU remember me-
miss she said, still in a whisper and
with kind of hurried earnestness.
Yes" said Olivia, breathing moro
freely, for there was "ad anC ~ AIRY
expression in the ,woman's face
which called for compassion rather
than fear Yes, you are the gypsy,
What do you want?"
Il want to see you, miss, to speak a
few words" replied IA2. i've been
watching for YOU, waiting for chance
TO see you alone; but he's always been
with you"
HEP" said Olivia.
"Yes-Mr. Bradstone," continued
the woman hurriedly, Tonight was
thinking of sending a message TO you
by the girl who lives here"
"Bessie?' said Olivia wonderingly
Yes, miss, that's her name.
know she loves Won and that she'd he