Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-06-02

looking in the direction they hac
taken, his face white to the lips, hi.
eyes cleaning rage and malice; thel
he sat down, and clasping his no
burning forehead in hi1 hands. muir
INJURED, "Let me think! Let me
Think"
Now, chance, which is dreadfully
impartial, and, like the sun, favor:
the just and the unjust had befriend
ed the marquis that morning. He hae
not followed Lucille and Harry Herne
but he had happened to be walking il
the glade, and on their approach
had, in the most gentlemanly manner
slipped down amid the high ferns
| close to the spot where they stood
and-listened!
He had heard every word, anC
every word had added fuel to the fire
of hate which burned in his heart
against Harry Herne.
Once or twice, as Harry's impas
sionate language had fallen upon his
ear, his rage haa been so great that
he had hard work to keep himself
from springing out upon him; and
when Lucille had murmured, Harry
Harry!" the marquis had been forced
to clutch the grass, and gnash his
teeth, to keep himself quiet.
What he had feared had come, and
quickly. Harry Herne not only
loved Lucille, the Lady of Darra-
court, but she returned his love, and
in the teeth of all that he had said OF
| the barrier between them, would
marry him if he asked her.
Ruin-black and utter ruin-stared
| the marquis in the face as he sat in
the twilight and thought of his po-
sition. The six months Mr.. Stake
had given him would rapidly draw
to an end; creditors innumerable
would join that willy gentleman in
swooping down upon him. The Hall
would be sold over his head, and he
would be cast upon the world penni-
less, dishonored, and beggar.
After a time the marquis grew cool
er, and his brain settled down to
business. By fair means or foul
means, Harry Herne and Lucille
must be separated, and at once.
That Harry Herne would go of his
own accord, as he had said he would,
the marquis who judged other men
by himself, never for a moment be-
lieved. He must be made to go!
Some plan must be devised to carry
him out of Darracourt, out of the
county, out of England; if it could be
out of life as well, so much the bet
ter.
He sat until the shadows grew
thickly among the trees, then got up,
and, smoothing the lines out of his
face, went down the hill toward the
Court. He had an accomplice whose
brain was more acute and subtle
than his own and he must see her at
once!
Chance was evidently on his side
for that day at least, for, as he
walked by path which led through
the Court grounds to those OF the
Hall, he caught sight of woman's
dress through the trees, and saw that
it was Marie Werner.
He approached her and raised his
hat as if about to pass by, but said,
in an undertone:
eff you are alone, join me at the
end of the path"
She inclined her head, and in few
minutes she came up to him where
he sat waiting for her.
"It is fortunate / have met you,"
he said quickly. II have something to
tell you, something of Importance
why do you smile?' he broke off with
sudden CLEAN of cold displeasure.
Marie looked at him and shrugged
her shoulders.
mo matter; pray go on. What is
this that has happened?''
He scowled, but he sank down on
the seat beside her and told her as
much as he could bring himself to
tell
"He said-the hound!-that he
would go; but that was only to lead
her OIL know the fellow! He will
hold her fast and secure, he will
marry her and become master Of
Darracourt if something is not done,
and at once.
Marie was silent for moment, her
head dropping thoughtfully, her keen,
sharp, gray eyes hidden under their
white lids; then she said, slowly:
eyes. l am not taken by surprise,
my lord. l have my little plan
ready cut and dried. 1t is rather a
desperate one, and there are risks"
"They will not alarm me! am
prepared for any course, to run any
risk to get rid of him."
First, will you keep your promise
and tell me the mysterious word
which your key must spell before one
can open your secret plate closet?''
The request was put in a most
matter of fact tone and manner, and
the marquis turned and shot sus-
picious glance at her.
How alarmed you look! You
must be-pardon me-very dull your
self, my lord, orr must think me so!
! ~