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

how much?"
"You shall have all you want" he
replied promptly. I'm not mean
man; no one has ever called me that.
I'll settle forty, fifty thousand
pounds"
Settle" she said; what does that
mean?"
1T means for your own use; tied to
you"
She thought moment.
How much is it that-that my
father owes?' she asked.
Her lips twitched.
Forty thousand or thereaboutS.
you know, of course, you know?"
she asked, and her eyes dwelt upon
his with a dull questioning.
His face REDEEMED.
II happen to know" he an
swered. Fifty thousand would clear
him"
ct is large sum of money" she
said; and she murmured, Poor
papa!"
1T is,' he assented. tits a big
sum, look at it as you will; but Pm
ready"
you will give it to me-give it to
me unconditionally?" she Interrupted
in low. clear voice.
Eyes, I'll give it to you the day we
are married, and Internationally. You
can do what you like with it. Fling it
in the gutter or-or-hand it over 10
the squire. It's a large sum of
money reluctantly-"but
it's nothing to me. You don't know
nobody knows-how rich 1 am. I've
made money by the hatful; I'm max
ing it now. You shall have every
thing you want; every wish, however
extravagant, shall be gratified. I'll
make a settlement on you in addi-
ton to that"
She shook her head
Il want that sum, and no other, -
she said, slowly. 81 want that money
to do what l like with"
You shall have it," he responded
eagerly. ...... ......
and you are content?" she asked,
her eyes resting on his face with a
calm wonder that was more terrible
than contempt. You are satisfied
with your bargain, content to buy
me"
oh, Miss olivia" he cried, de-
precatingly.
Pet you have bought me- she
said in low voice, "and you know
IT, You do not expect me to love
you. You only wish me to be your
wife, and you ask no questions"
He redeemed; then turned pale.
Il ask no questions" he said,
and his voice came huskily and
heavily mo, 1 am content. IL
don't suppose 1 am the first man
who's made love to you. You're too
beautiful glanced at the glass
curiously, as if at some other face
'too-too good a match for me to
hope for that But I'll chance ali
that"
you will take the risk?' she said
in a low voice.
Her words seemed to affect him
strangely. He changed color, and
darted a look of distrust and sus-
picion at her from his restless eyes.
What do you mean? What risk?"
he said, nervously.
She shook her head.
Risk of the future" she said
Does anything but unhappiness and
misery spring from such a marriage
as this would be?"
He drew a breath-it almost seem
ed of relief.
ooh, as to that" he said, 81 am
not uneasy. Why should we be I'M
happy with everything we want.
everything that money can buy? It's
the people who are poor who are
miserable and disconnected. They
have to pinch and screw and stick
in one place; while we-you shall do
as you like, go as you like. I'm fond
of The Maples-becauSe it's near the
Grange, and-and you; but if you
don't like it I'll buy another place
for you anywhere. 1 think | told
you that the other night; l know if
didn't meant it. spend all my time
thinking how l can please you, and |
will do it! What'do you say?. Let
me have an answer. lit isn't fair,
it isn't like you. who are SO kind and
thoughtful always to-to other peO-
pie, to keep me in suspense"
NO" she said, as if to herself, ''it
is not fair And I have made up my
mind 1 had made it up beforeI came
into the room
you had?" he breathed, evidently
in an agony of conflicting hope and
fear.
YES, Mr.. Bradstone, l meant to ac-
cept your proposal Tiff you would
promise me the money"
He came forward with a halffearful
promptitude, and an inarticulate cry
of catiS faction