Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-04-08
BARBARA'S
ESCAPE
BY HELM FORREST GRAVES.

1862 x 80 81 - *
Engaged, really and actually en-
gagged! It is strange sort of feeling,
and yet it isn't unpleasant"
Barbara Esmond stood in the mid
die OF the room, one slender hand
poised by It's forefnger on the table,
the other holding back the jetty
tresses from her pure, low brow. She
was very beautiful, in a dark, glitter
ing style of beauty, and in that ele-
giant room she might have reminded
one of pearl in its satin casket.
Black-eyed and black-haired, with a
creamy skin, fine-grained as velvet,
and straight, delicately-chiseled fea-
lures. hers was an uncommon beau
ty. yet strangely fascinating
Eighteen years old, and engaged to
be married. 1t was a new leaf in the
book of life fer Barbara Esmond; a
sensation as novel as it was delight
ful.
Il wish l had mother to go to, or
a loving, tender, elder sister," unused
Barbara. restlessIy. 4 scarcely un-
derstand my own feelings. 1 wonder
II do love him as l should love the
man / intend to make my husband.
Husband" she added, with little
shudder The word implies a great
deal. And Harry Milbrook is to be
my husband"
Barbara was like a newly-caged
bird, restless, fiuttering against the
pVri- hor 0f -;@f
ence; captured with her own tolls,
yet half disposed to break away into
solitude and independence once more.
Mr. Henry Milbrook, however. was
troubled with no such vague ideas.
He had won the heart of Miss Es-
mOnd, the heiress, and, what was of
rather more consequence to him, he
had won the right to share her wealth.
I'm fellow of talent" unused Mr..
Milbr0ok, "and fellows of talent new
er could endure to work like com
mon cart horses. Therefore it fol
lows that | must have money; but,
possessing none of my own, l must
marry the article. And, although
object to red hair and crooked spines,
] am quite willing to accept the in.
cumbrance of a beautiful girl along
with said cash."
That was the decidedly practical
and unrOmantic manner in which Mr.
Milbrook contemplated his approach
ing felicity! He kept his rhapsodies
OF romance and soft, poetic whisper
ings for Barbara's ear alone, and she,
like any enthusiastic girl of eighteen
believed him.
She told no one of the precious Sc
cret enshrined in her heart; it would
have seemed almost like dissertation
but her lover was by no means SO
delicate
$50 you're to be married, Hall" said
Mr.. Joseph Piercy, at the club.
Yes, I'm going to be married; to a
cool hundred thousand, too" answer
ed Mr.. Milbrook, rubbing his hands.
who is it?"
ooh, the lady, you mean?"
"Yes, l mean the lady"
"It's old Esmond's daughter"
What, the star-eyed Barbara"
Exactly So"
4 congratulate you, old fellow"
Much obliged" answered Mr.. Mil
brook, indifferently pulling his mus
tache. 4 fiatter myself it's a pretty
good speculation for a fellow that
travels on his good looks alone"
Il wish she had a sister for me,
observed Mr.. Piercy.
81 don't / can't afford to go halves
In the cash"
There was a general laugh amons
the youths of fashion in the clubroon
at this scintillation of wit, and Mr.
Milbrook leisurely sauntered out.
Il promised she should have my
picture" thought Mr.. Harry, "and
suppose the cheapest place l can have
Il done is at the gallery of that poo
devil of an artist in Grove street.
guess I'll go around there"
II was hard for so exquisitely got
ten nm a youth as Mr.. Milbrook to bt
comnelled to hide his light under tn,
bushel of so obscure a street as tina
toward which he BOv bent hii foo;