Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-07-26

think"
Il don't know" said the squire,
thoughtfully. I've an idea that he
forced himself to call, and that he
might decline. 1t isn't pride; no,
that man couldn't foster so vulgar a
sentiment; not pride, but strange
kind of reserve that crops up now
and again in his manner and CONVEX
sation. Strange! Perhaps il is
some past trouble. Well, we can
but ask him"
Olivia turned her head aside and
toyed with branch of Virginia
creeper.
Very well, papa; anyone else?"
"Eh? oh, yes, if you like. BARLEY
Bradstone and BERTHE. BERTHE likes
him, I'm sure; and Annie and Mary
Penstone AS many as you like
no. don't make it a large party.
fancy he would prefer a very small
one"
You are more considerate Of Mr..
Faradeane's whims and fancies than
you usually are of other peoples S,
papa" she said, with a smile.
He looked at her as if The same
idea had struck him.
Am /? Well, I've taken a fancy
TO him, | suppose; at any rate, |
should like to know more of him.
Ask him, and see what he says"
aFradeane was sitting at his desk
writing when, the next morning, a
groom rode over with the invitation,
and he took it and looked at the ad-
dress in Olivia's handwriting for a
good minute before opening the en-
velope Then he read the short,
formal note, and re-read it; got up
and lit a pipe, and paced up and
down with the letter in his hand, a
troubled, wistful expression on his
face, an expression of hesitation,
over which longing predominated.
TOO laLe!" he muttered; too late
to draw back now. l have passed
the Rubicon, and yet-oh, fool! fool ="
Then he sat down and wrote for
nal acceptance.
People did not refuse an invitation
TO dine at the Grange unless they
were positively compelled, for the
squire's dinners were as nearly per-
feet as they could be; and those who
did not set their hearts on The din
ner found the prospect of a couple of
hours spent in the Grange drawing
room with Olivia TO talk to and per
haps to sing for them, equally ir-
resistible; and all the guests the
squire had named to Olivia came UP
to lime on the twenty-ninth.
It was an early dinner, for the en-
tertainment commenced at eight, and
all but the squire, whom wild horses
would not have drawn out of his
house after dinner to an entertain
ment, were going to Aunt Amelia's
concert.
Annie and Mary Penstone had
driven over in the afternoon to
snatch a very precious quiet hour with
olivia, and they were both on the
tptoe of feverish curiosity and ex-
citemenG about the mysterious Fara-
deane.
rs he so very strange, Oily dear?"
asked Mary, eagerly, and in a hushed
voice, I'VE hear such extraordinary
stories-all invented, of course-but
do tell us! What is he like? OF
course, we know he is handsome.
Annie says that he is the handsom-
est man she has ever seen; but that's
nonsense while Lord Granville Is
here. What does he seem like?
What does he talk about?"
Papa could tell you better than |
can" replied Olivia, smiling. Il
have only spoken to him once or
twice, He has a very pleasant voice
but you heard him speak at the
picnic"
"Oh es, wasn't that awful! | shall
never forget the look of his eyes.
If he had looked at me like that, so
SO, lot contemptuously quite, but
so calmly and indifferent cant ex-
press it-as he looked at Mr.. Brad
stone. | should have gone through
the ground!
Like one of The patent tube wells, -
said Olivia.
DON'T laugh at me, l mean
what / say, Gear" said Mary, pout.
ing. 'l'm sure ! snail be afraid to
speak to him, in case he should snub
me- He looks as If he could be aw-
fully severe"
He is not, assure you; child
could play with him." said Olivia.
There you are, laughing again
It's all very well for yiu; of course
he'd be nice to you, everybody al.
ways it, nobody could be otherwise
to such a dear, beautiful girl; but
poor Annie and me-"
Poor Annie and me will be quite
safe" laughed Olivia, Mr.. Fara
deane does not even bark, least II
all bite"
This was few minutes before din
ner, and the entrance of BERTHE and
BARLEY Bradstone stopped the inter