Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-12-15
CHAPTER XII.
The Eligible Baronet.

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The Eligible Baronet.
A bold stroke for a fortune!
Faint heart never won fair lady,
Or grasped the golden gains.
On the morning following Christ
mas day the Vale was stirring be-
times Stella was not a late sleeper
at any time; this morning she felt
particularly wakeful.
AS a matter of fact, she had slept
but little all night. There was some
thing in the idea of the mysterious
and handsome Mr.. FELTON, being in the
next room. which might have kept her
awake if she had not the disquieting
knowledge of Sir Richards propin-
guilty also to dispel her WEAKNESS.
In the latter fact she could scarce
ly find excuse tangible enough to her
own satisfaction to account for the
uneasiness which assaulted her when
ever Sir Richard was near her.
She knew that she started and shud-
dered at his entrance last night as
much as she had blushed and thrilled
with pleasure at the appearance of
Mr.. FELTON,. Had she been candid with
herself she could have explained it by
confessing that she hated the one and
already loved the other; but young
ladies are not inclined to be candid
on such topics, even to themselves,
and Stella rose and entered the break
fast room, as unreasoning in her dis
like of Sir Richard as ever.
The breakfast-room was empty.
mo one up YETI" she asked the but
Ter.
mo one, miss, except Mr.. Felton,
he replied.
''And where is he?" asked Stella.
II don't know, miss. He was here
not many minutes ago, inquiring after
Sir Richards man.
'sThe man who hurt his Lego" said
Stella.
Eyes, MISS said Mr.. Proud1ey.
"And very strange man he is; there
is no making anything out Of him at
ALL
Stella's look encouraged him to pro-
coed; she did not know how it was,
but truly anything concerning Sir
Richard had a strange, unpleasant in
terest for her.
Hes the most disagreeable man !
ever met, miss. You can't get a civil
word out of him; and as close as a
jewelers. safe.'
Stella smiled.
ttYou should not bother him with
questions, Proudley,'' she said.
II, miss? I'd scorn to do so
retorted the butler. But when a
man turns like wild beast On you
for simply asking him by what name
he'd like to be called you can't help
noticing it. Will you have the break
fast, miss?''
mo" said Stella. Not until mamma
comes down. Is 1T thawing?"
mo, miss; quite a frost"
"Then I will go out for a little. Tell
them, please, that / am in the gar
den."
Then, wrapping herself in thick
Ped Riding Hood cloak and drawing
the hood over her beautiful head, she
opened the French window and ran
lightly down the steps.
At the moment man came limping
out of the lower hall and stood be-
aside to let her pass.
It was Sir Richards servant.
Made curious by Proudley's account
of him she stopped and accosted him,
How is your foot this morning?"
Better said the man, in sullen
tone, just CHANGING up at her from I'M
der his thick eyebrows, without re-
laing a muscle of his constrained,
trouble-lined face.
II am glad of that " said Stella
"You must have suffered much pain.
hope they made you comfortable
The man nodded.
Comfortable enough, thank you
Stella looked at him with her gentle
plying eyes and went on.
At the turn of the walk she nearly
ran into the arms Of Mr.. FELTON,, who
was looking in the opposite direction
They pulled up with natural laugh
Of amusement; Stella held out hel
hand.
Il beg your pardon, thought was
IN sole possession of the garden at this
time in the morning"
To be continued.
If you want to stand well In the