Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-09-24
and kent him at arms length.

heard, were accomplished and daring
| beggars; an attempt to coax or ex-
tort money from her or BARLEY was
probably the woman's only motive.
She sighed again as she arrived at
this decision, and put the matter from
her mind
Are you rested now, miss?' said
Bessie, gently.
Yes, Bessie" replied Olivia; 81
am all right now. l am tired and
and 1 was frightened by meeting a
gypsy outside the lodge"
Bessie looked up quickly.
Father was right, then, miss
there are some of them about.
Fathers in the woodshed; shall l call
him to look after them?"
mo, no, said Olivia, quickly, with a
slight flush; they are far away by
this time, l daresay. l haven't been
to see you for some time, Bessie" she
went on, hurriedly changing the sub
ject.
mo, miss, said Bessie, softly. But
Ididn't expect knew you would
have great deal to do" She fall
tered and colored. I've heard the
news, miss, and''-she dropped her
work and clasped her hands, her eyes
| fixed with affectionate earnestness on
Olivia's pale FACET do pray you
may be happy
Thank you, BESSIE" said Olivia, a
slight flush passing across her face.
Yes, 1 am going to marry Mr.. Bart
ley Bradstone; so you see you will not
lose me altogether"
NO" said Bessie, with quiet
sigh; that thought comforts me d
little: The Naples isn't far, and
and you'll let me see you sometimes,
Miss Olivia? ?"
CAS- often as you like, Bessie" said
olivia But you speak as if had
been ordered to execution" and she
smiled.
Bessie colored, and took up her work
again.
Did I, miss? l didn't mean to-
only meant that tit was a surprise"
Oivia's eyes dropped.
Such things are always a surprise,
Bessie, she said. I came to ask how
you were, but 1 see there is no need
to do so. It's just the Bessie of old
sitting there so quietly and happily at
her needle"
A strange look flashed across the
girls face, and she bent still lower
over her work.
Yes, miss, I'm all right now" she
said, quietly. Father was afraid that
the fright would upset me for long
time; but Mr.. Faradeane says such
care was taken of me that shall
come to no harm. I'm quite right
now"
! At the mention of Faradeane's name
Olivia started slightly, and reached
for her shawl.
Have you seen-Mr. aradeane
lately?" she said coldly.
Bessie looked up quickly; no tone or
accent OF her mistress's beloved voice
could escape her.
No, miss; not here at the lodge
that is, I've seen him at distance
riding and walking. He's been i'll,
miss-very i'll, I'm afraid
What has been the matter with
him?" asked Olivia in a constrained
voice. as she drew the shawl round
her.
Bessie got up and knelt beside her
and fastened it.
II don't know-nobody seems %
know. He didn't leave the cottage
for some days, and nobody saw him.
Father called, but the servant wouldn't
let him see him, and simply said mis-
master was i'll and he had instructions
to let no one in. Father would have
taken upon himself to send for the
doctor, but he knew it would be no
use. Mr.. Faradeane is like iron, miss,
when he says thing"
"Well?" said Olivia, with sup
pressed anxiety.
well, then he came out and l saw
him riding. He wasn't like the same
man, miss, so pale and worn-lfke he
looked Father says he has some
great trouble, he's sure; but 1 can't
think what it can be, can your
mo; how should 1 know, Bessie?"
responded Olivia, almost sternly.
Bessie sighed.
mo, miss she assented, meekly.
II suppose nothing can be done-I
mean to help him, if he is Ill or In
trouble. Pd"-her pretty face flushed,
and her voice quivered-"I'd walk a
hundred miles barefoot to serve him
=" She stopped and restrained her
self. "But I'm only poor, ignorant
girl, miss, and can't do anything.
What seems so dreadful is his loneli-
ness. From weeks end to week
end no one goes near him, now that
Lord BERTHE has gone away. He was
the only friend he had, father says"
Olivia rose and put on her hat.
"Mr. Faradeane does not wish for
any friends, Bessie" she said, speak
ing with an air of Indifference. II
am sorry he has been i'll and glad
that he is better. AS for any trouble,
7 don't EnOu-,'