Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-10-29
CHAPTER XXI.

BARLEY BradStOneS forehead as he
looked at the handsome, devil-may-care
face of the woman who, with her arms
akimbo, stood regarding him with a
mixture of amusement and contempt,
combined with all enjoyment of his
discontinue which was almost tiger
ish.
At last he managed to find his voice,
a very weak and feeble one.
"This-this is surprise, Bella" he
said, forcing a sickly smile.
Eyes, suppose it is" she retorted
GA pleasant surprise, of course.
What's become Of the elegant manners
you used to sport so freely? Anyone
would think l was an ogre instead Of
handsome Bella!' You see I haven't
forgotten some of your compliments.
Yes, it is surprise for both of us.
I thought you were across the seq.
That was a clever idea of yours, send
ing the money every quarter from
France. 1t took me in, it did indeed!
I suppose you thought I should run
after you, didn't you? Run after
you!" and she laughed with scorn.
Give an account of yourself, Barley?
Have you got such a thing as a ciga-
rette about you? The smell of that
cigar has set me off longing for a
puff"
He handed her his silver cigar-case,
and she smiled as she saw how his
hand shook.
Here, light it" she said, with
nonchalant air of command.
He lit the cigarette, and handed it
to her
Now, then" she said, blowing the
smoke through her handsome nos
trils. Lets have a true and particu-
lar account of yourself"
'Tm-Pm staying here for time"
he said trying to speak in a careless
matter-of-fact tone. CT haven't
been quite the thing-France didn't
suit me-and I ran down here for
change. I'm going back almost di
rectly."
She loked at him with charming in
credulity.
II don't believe a word of it, she
said, f1icizing the ash from her Gig
arctic, and leaning against tree In
an easy attitude, as If she were lean.
ing against the ropes Of her trapeze.
'T don't believe you've been out Of
England at all; and what's more, l
don't care You may go where you
like, and do what you Ike, for what l
care, Barley"
He drew a breath of relief, and the
color came slowly back to his face.
'Then-then you didn't come down
here after me?" he said, with a pitiful
attempt at a laugh.
81 certainly did not" she retorted,
with unaffected scorn. II came down
here"-and her eyes twinkled-" be
cause the air of London didn't agree
with me, and I thought I'd take
change. Come down after you! Why,
man, what do I want with you while
you pay me my allowance regularity"
81 thought" he began.
You fattered yourself too much"
she broke in "And you don't ask
what I've been doing?" with a smile.
Il hope you've been enjoying
yourself" he said, conciliatingly.
"A lot you care! AS it happens,
have been enjoying myself I've made
a hit, and I'm. one OF the great London
favorites, Barley. What do you think
of that, Ell? Did you ever hear of
Bella Bella?"
He shook his head.
Not you! You've been away from
England so long, don't you knOw!" and
she laughed sarcastically. well, Pm
Bella-Bella, the Flying Swallow
There isn't one 70 touch me on the
trapeze, they say; and l believe they
re right. I'm making quite pile,
am; but I'll take my allowance all the
same, thank you, Mr.. Bradstone!
Lord, how frightened you look still"
and she stared and laughed at him.
Il daresay you wish 1 was dead"
He started, and glanced at her i'm
der his brows.
I'm sure I've wished the same
many and many a time. But I'm alive
still, you see and kicking" and she
folded her legs and stuck out her
ankles. Very much alive. 1 fancy
I shall Outlive you, my dear, though /
do risk my neck every night. Drop in
at the Palace of Amusement when
you're in London next, and have look
at me-
Il Will he said
And so you're staying in this dead
and-alive hole, are your she said,
eying him curiOusly. I wonder what
you're up to; some sly game or other, !
I'll be bound. You always were up to |
a lay Of some kind, weren't you?
What is it now, eh?''
I don't understand you" he said,
with affected carelessness.
I'm Just STAYING on here"