Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-11-12


the SWEETEST thing I've ever seen, even
amongst the swells, and mean to get
as close as wax with her"
He put his hand to his forehead and
looked at her in amazement.
She laughed.
Eyes and you can't prevent me, Mr..
Bradstone No, 1 think not! oh,
know your game; but it won't do.
Just whisper word against me TO
your pretty wife, and III up and tell
her the whole story"
His hand dropped and he stood as ii
turned to stone, his small eyes fixed
upon her mocking face.
"TI don't understand: By God,
you're enough to drive man mad. :
His teeth clenched. IF this is a
joke, get it over and come to business
How much do you want to hold your
tongue? Out with it and have done
with it,
She advanced towards him threaten
ingly.
Drop that she said, Don't use
that kind of tone to me- I'm not go
ing to be bulied, Mr. Bradstone. You'd
better come down peg or two, or
Pll--" She looked round. II sup
pose could collect a regular crowd
couple of minutes" and she opened
her lips.
He seized her arm, his face work
ing.
Hush he said II was only
in fun What is it you mean? How
can you-you know my wife?"
your wife!" she laughed scornfully,
and he WINGED. Never you mind;
you're to curious, you are. Don't ask
me any questions, and I'll tell you no
lies. Anyhow, you can tell your wife
that l mean what 1 say. Your wife
your wife!-and me is going to be
great friends. l shouldn't be sur
prised if she asked me to stay with
her That will be fun!' and she threw
her head back with malicious enjoy
ment of the vision her words called
up. only fancy, BellaBella chum-
ming with a great swell's daughter!
oh, Lori
He stood and looked at her, and a
new expression was coming into his
eyes, an expression of watchful cum
ming.
"Well,' he said, "funnier things
have hammered 'It'S-it's a strange
world
Il should think it is after the wed
ding I've seen this morning!" she re-
torted.
"And-Ive nothing to say against
it," he went on, trying to speak care
lessly; "only l should like to have a
warning. But I'll make bargain with
you, Bella Give up the ideal dom
see anything in it to your advantage
and I'll give you"
How much?" she said, with sheer.
But don't trouble yourself, l shan't
want it. | shall be as rich as you, l
expect; and if it wasn't that l love
bleeding you, you skinf1int, I'd fling
these notes back in your face. But
I'm going to keep 'em for the present.
Perhaps I'll buy weddin' gift for
your pretty young wife, Mr.. Brad
stone,'' and her laugh rang out again.
He took out his watch-the silver
one; and she, with smile of derision,
pulled out his watch-the gold one.
'Gettin late, l suppose. You want
to be off for the honey moon. Well
I'll come with you-just as far as the
drive. Perhaps We shall meet the
young lady, and you can introduce me,
here and now. All" she broke
off, for with a snarl he snatced some
thing from his breast-pocket. There
was fash a sharp twang, a little
puff Of smoke, and the next instant
the magnificent form of Bella-Bella,
the Queen of the Air, was lying full
length on the messy ground.
She had scarcely uttered a cry
louder than the fear-breathing "Ah!"
and yet it seemed to the trembling
wretch who stood with the smoking re-
volver in his hand that the wood
echoed with fiendish yells. The great
trees wavered and dancd befor him,
the earth seemed to rock under his
feet, and he quaked like one of the
rustling leaves, which all had tongues
to cry "Murder!"
So he stood, and so she lay, breath
ing short, but speechless, while one
could count twenty. Then the assas-
sins first instinct, flight, smote upon
him, and he turned and fed. But no
farther than the edge of the drive.
There horrid remembrance flashed
upon him. On that prostate figure
which he had left for dead were the
notes, which could be traced, his
watch, his silver cigar-case, which a
hundred people would recognize as
his.
There was direct path to the
scaffold before him. With a low cry