Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-12-24

"And will you not let me come with
you?"
She put her arm round his neck aud
kissed him.
mo, dear; Bessie and I are going
alone. Don't be anxious; l am get
ting quite strong again now. Tell
James to drive round the park"
The squire wrapped the shawls
round her tenderly, and the brougham
drove off.
Olivia leaned back with her eyes
closed for some minutes, but when
the lodge had been left behind she sat
up with a new life and eagerness in
her eyes.
Tell him now to drive to the jail -
she said.
Bessie gave the order, and tne
coachman, after a moment or two If
inert establishment, turned the horses
heads
The brougham pulled up at the
prison, and Olivia made ready to get
out.
tShan't I ask the colonel to cCme
to you miss q asked Bessie, who was
white with anxiety.
Olivia shook her head
NO" she said. ut would be cas-
Ter for him to refuse while I am sit
ting here; it will be more difficult-oh,
will make it impossible for him to
do so, once I am inside his office, "
and her voice seemed suddenly to
have got to something of its old ring
and firmness.
They got out, and without knock
ing, Olivia opened the Office door.
The colonel looked up from the
desk at which he was writing, and
stared speechlessly for a moment at
the vision of fragile loneliness. Then
he sprang to his feet and came round
to her.
Great Heaven, Miss Olivia! |
beg your pardon-Mrs. Bradstone.
You here. What is the matter?
Where is the squirrel" but Olivia stood
firm, and with her thin fingers twining
round his, looked at him steadily,
though her heart was beating wildly,
and the color coming and going in her
face.
Nothing has happened, dear Colo
mel Summerford, and my father is n t
here. l am alone, excepting for ny
maid. l have come to ask a great f.
vor of you. You will not refuse me?
"a favor?" echoed the colonel
my dear young lady; come out of the
draught, for Heavens sake.' he
broke off, for she looked SO wan and
slight that it seemed to him as if Il
breath of air would watt her away
Il did not know you were well enough
to be out. Are you? And to come
here! What is it you want me to do?
OF course I will not refuse you; you
know that"
Yes, know that" she murmured
in the sweet voice which had never
failed yet to reach mems hearts Il
want you to let me see Mr.. Faradeane.
The colonel literally gasped for
breath.
Toto see the prisoner-Mr. Fara-
uCdi1C' hS SA'ild1uLSu uuuSI Ills
breath. My dear, dear girl, YOU can
not be serious"
, She forced a smile.
DO not be alarmed, Colonel Sum
merford. l am quite sensible now,
and not delirious. And l do want to
see Mr. Faradeane.'
ITO see Mr.. Faradeane!" he repeat
ed, as if he could not quite realize it
even yet But what for, in the name
of Heaven?"
Must 1 tell you that?" she replied,
still looking at him steadily, though
her lips quivered. 81 want to tell him
that | know he did not commit this
that he is charged with, and that"
She stopped.
Its quite impossible!" he said,
gravely. "Quite-quitei Don't ask
me, beg of you'll"
But do ask you" she murmured,
her eyes melting with entreaty.
why is it impossible? You are gov
.ernor, and can do what you like'-the
colonel was too much troubled to
smile-'and you said you would not
refuse me-"
But" he retorted, soothingly, with
a look of relief, fortunately, it isn't
for me to grant or refuse. 1t is for
Mr. Faradeane, and he has informed
me he will see no one"
Il do not care for that she said,
in the tone which only a woman
knows how to use. He will see Ele,
because 1 shall not wait to ask him..
The poor colonel tugged at his mus
tache
"But-good Heaven, my dear girl,
does your father know ?-surely he
doesn't know that you have come ON
this-forgive me-mad errand?"
mo, he doesn't know" said Olivia.
steadily. But if he had known, be
would have let me. colonel Summer
ford, you know 1 have been very ill.,
she purred, bending towards him with
a piteous entreaty her lovely eyes.
"You don't want to send me away to
be as bad again."
asCo6 +orh}zfo ~osp01dAd Tho COLONEL