Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-10-25

We'll, saw a copy of Browning on
the table; | saw drawings signed by
her and have spent some hours in
her company. my lord"
True. And she knows nothing Of
-" The earl paused.
She had never heard your nasne
my lord-was in complete ignorance
that her father was living. 1t Is evil
dent that that"
My wife, her mother, did not st
tempt to prejudice her against me
Did not poison her mind, in fact" said
the earl. is that what you mean?"
We'll yes, my lord,' assented Mr..
Petherick nervously.
1T is as well she did not; it win be
difficult enough for us to live together
as it is. And the woman, the nurse,
Catherine Hayes, is dead, quite dead,
and buried?"
Il saw her grave, my lord"
The earl was silent for a moment
or two, then he fingered his glass and,
without looking at the old lawyer,
said:
Il wish to speak to you about that
that other matter upon which in
structed YOU"
Your nephew, my lord?" said Mr..
Petherick.
A flush of anger rose to the earl's
face and he pushed the wine glass
from him.
Call him the viscount, IL You
please" rhe said. Il dislike being re-
minded of our relationship. You saw
him."
mo, my lord; he declined an inter
view"
Characteristic insolence," he said
smoothly. "Well?"
Il wrote him at some length, setting
forth your lordship's views. / OK
planned to him that if he would con-
sent to cut off the entail you would
meet his views in the matter of money
that, in fact, you would be wiling to
pay him a large sum-
YES" murmured the earl, Il would
be willing to pay him large, a very
large sum If he would give up his
right to the estate, which must other
wise be bis when-when l die. You
made it plain to him? He must want
money. He Is a spendthrift, has al
would be willing to sacrifice for
tune!"
Il made that clear to him, | think,
my lord"
'Well?"
Il am sorry to say that he declined
your lordship's proposal"
The earl's thin lips came together
shar~ly. as If they had checked an.
oath.
"Oh. he declined" he said dryly.
Eyes, my lord. He remarked in his
letter that he would rather starvs
than barter his birthright."
His birthright! The profligate!
He counts upon my dying shortly,
presumed"
Il think profiigate rather too
harsh term, my lord. The viscount
has been wild, it is true; and-and,
yes. extrayagant; but of late he seems
to have changed-reformed, as one
may say"
Indeed! And how is he living? /
ask from mere idle curiosity"
81 don't know, my lord. | made in
quiries, but | could not find out. In
deed. no one seems to know anything
of his recent movements, excepting
that he is not moving In the circles
which he used to frequent"
I'm hiding from the Jews and money
lenders. We will give him little
more rope, Petherick."
II venture to think that the Wis
counts decision is final, my lord.
have his letter here" he drew out his
pocketbook, but the earl put forth
his hand with a shake of the head.
Thanks, but pardon me, l would
rather not see it. have never seen
the writer and have no desire to make
acquaintance even with his handwrit-
ing"
lit is pity, my lord. a pity that
there should be- ahem-bad blood
between your lordship and the Wis
count, especially as he will inherit.
must inherit, this vast estate
You forget that ! might marry
again"
You are right. / should not marry.
even TO spite my the viscount. But
we are all mortal" he went on, in the
softest of voices, "and, after all, he
might die before me-
He might, but
1T Is not likely! Really. your can.
dor is charming. Petherick. Oh. pray
cont apologize as the old lawyer
grew red and stammering. Let us
finish our wine in peace"
Meanwhile. the gentlemen strolled
up and down the terrace with their
cigars, talking together, and as they
passed the window of the drawing
room In which Norah was sitting, ard
in which the lights were lit. they low
cred their voices.
Poor girl" said Lord Ferndalc
My heart aches for her, Great