Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-09-24
Continued.

he WAS SUCH q SlCdI Il AC11O Va oOA
ties was he not? And l don't Won
der. Such a charming man! 1 really
do wish he were little more-more
sociable. You might ask him to din
ner again, Edwin"
The squire rose and shook his head.
1T is no USE" he said. ''Mr. Fara-
deane has plainly indicated his desire
to be left alone. I asked him yester
day, and several days before, when I
met him out riding. I am afraid he
has been, and is, i'll"
Olivia put her hand upon the door,
but still waited.
ooh, am so sorry! Fancy, how
dreadful to be i'll and all alone in that
solitary spot" said Miss Amelia.
poor man! I really think you ought
to call Edwin, and you too, BARLEY. l
wonder''-with an air of maiden timid-
ity-"if he would think it intrusive or
or pushing if 1 sent him some beef
tea?"
The squire laughed quietly.
Better not, you think, Edwin?
Well, perhaps so; one can't be too
careful But 1 really think you ought
to call Barley"
81 will if you like" he said, but not
very readily. "Shall I, Olivia?"
She turned her pale face slightly to-
wards him.
81 do not care" she said, and open
ing the door, went out, and up the
stairs to her own room. She stood by
the white bed looking dreamily before
her for a moment or two, her fathers
words echoing duly in her ears; then
she remembered why she had come up
stairs, and was about to ring for her
maid, when a great wave of heat
seemed to sweep over her.
81 can't go back and listen to them
talking of him-not just yet, not just
yeti" she murmured, putting her hand
to her throat. He has been ill-but
what is he to me?" with dry sob.
Her hat and a fur cloak were lying on
a chair, and she took them up alb
sently, and putting them on, went
down the stairs on to the terrace.
Just five minutes alone!" she MUIR
INJURED. Five minutes to think-ro.
to forget! Oh, II could forget"
And she beat her hand upon the bal
ustFade. st would all be SO easy Ii I
could forget"
She stood for a moment or two look.
ing wistfully down into the dusky ave-
nue.; then a SUDDEN desire to lose her.
self in its shade possessed her.
"I'n go and see Bessie" she muir
INJURED. She had not been near the
girl since the engagement, fearing the
scrutiny of the simple, loving eyes
more than she had dreaded aught else.
Yes, I'll go and see Bessie!" and she
passed down the steps.
AS she did so, BARLEY Bradstones
commonplace figure came out by the
drawing-rOom window and stood
clearly defined against the light.
olivia! Olivia!" he called.
She drew back in the shadow and
set her teeth; then, as he went in
again, evidently to look for her in the
house, she glided rapidly into the ave
nue., and went towards the lodge. She
had almost reached it, was within
touch of the big gates, when the figure
of a woman passed through the open
one and stood before her.
Olivia's nerves were strained to
their utmost tension, and she shrank
back with a low cry of alarm.
The woman stretched out her hand
pleadingly.
Don't, don't miss" she said in a
suppressed whisper. 1--WE not come
to hurt yOu!"
who are you? What do you
want?" asked Olivia, trembling a lit
tie, yet recovering her presence of
mind, for it seemed to her that she
had heard the voice before.
The woman came nearer, and the
light of the lodge window falling On
her face Olivia saw that it was the
gypsy who had told their fortunes ut
the picnic.
You know me, you remember me,
miss she said, still in a whisper and
with a kind of hurried earnestness.
Yes" said Olivia, breathing more
freely, for there was "ad anC AIRY
expression in the ,woman's face
which called for compassion rather
than fear. Yes, you are the gypsy.
What do you want?"
4 want to see you, miss, to speak a
few words" replied Liz. I've been
watching for you, waiting for a chance
to see you alone; but he's always been
with you
Hep said Olivia.
'Yes-Mr Bradstone," continued
the woman hurriedly. Tonight l was
thinking of sending message TO you
by the girl who lives here"
''6essie?" said Olivia wonderingly.
Yes, miss, that's her name. !
know she loves you, and that she'd be
secret. Miss, I'm doing. it at the
risk of my life"
Olivia flushed.
What is it you want? What is it
you are doing?" she asked, with lit
nonf -