Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-09-20
and kept him at arms length.

probably a prelude to request for
money; these gipsies, she had always
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 | am tired and
and | 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 | call
him TO look after them?"
mo, no. said olivia, quickly, with q
slight flush; they are far away by
this time, / daresay. / haven't been
to see you for some time, Bessie" she
went on, hurriedly changing the sub
ject.
No, miss, said Bessie, softly. But
didn't expect knew you wouli
have great deal to do" She fa-
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, | am going to marry Mr.. Bart
ley Bradstone; so you see you will no.
lose me altogether"
NO" said Bessie, with a quie.
Sigh; that thought comforts me A
little: The Naples isn't far, and
and you'll let me see you sometimes,
Miss Olivla?"
AS often as you like, Bessie" said
| Olivia. But you speak as IL | had
been ordered to execution" and she
smiled.
Bessie colored, and took up her work
again.
Did |, miss? | didn't mean to.
only meant that lit was a surprise
Oliyia's eyes dropped.
J Such things are always a surprise,
! Bessie, she said. 4 came to ask how
you were, but | 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, Pm all right now" she
said. quietly. Father was afraid that
the fright would upset me for a long
time; but Mr.. Faradeana 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 Faradeane
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 ia, I've seen him at a distance
riding and. walking, He's been i'll,
miss-yery ILL., I'm afraid"
What has been the matter with
him?' asked olivia in constrained
voice, as she drew the shawl round
her
BESSIE got up and knelt beside her
and fastened 1t.
Il 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 his
master was i'll and he had instructions
to let no one in. Father would have
taken upon himself to send for tho
doctor, but he knew it would be no
use. Mr. Faradeane is Ike iron, miss,
when he says a thing
"Well?" said Olivia, with sup
pressed anxiety
we'll tneh ne came out and | saw
him riding. He wasn't like the same
man, miss, so pale and worn-lile he
looked. Father says he has some
great trouble, he's sure; but | can't
think what 1t can be. can you?"
mo; how should know, Bessie?"
responded Olivia, almost sternly.
Bessie sighed
mo, miss" she assanted, meekly.
Il suppose nothing can be done-I
mean to help him, If he is i'll or In
trouble. rd"-her pretty face flushed,
and her voice Quiyered-"Id walk a
hundred miles barefoot to serve him
-" She stopped and restrained her
self. But I'm only n poor, ignorant
girl, miss, and can't do anything
What seems SO dreadful Is his loneli.
ness, From weeks end to weeks
end no one goes near him. now that
Lord Berti, has gone away. lie was
the only friend he had, father SAYS"
n1iNin rosa op.t ,,,,t l,,, l