Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-08-11

But one of whom you may marry!''
ne broke in Lucille, can bear it no
longer; we must decide, you and l,
and tonight
why tonight?'' she demanded, al
most piteously "Give me a little
longer
'Tonight!' he repeated. do not
think me hard; consider how much |
have at stake-all my earthly happi-
ness! All, Lucille, if you knew how
fully / have acted up to my promise.
Even now l am keeping to my share
of the compact. Today I have heard
that the police"
"Hushi" she painted, putting her
hand upon his arm and looking round
fearfully For Heavens sake be
CAREFUL Some one may hear; there
were men below there, just now. All.
be CAREFUL"
He smiled inwardly at her alarm.
q will be careful No one can
hear
well, go on, go on!" she said, fe-
verishly. What have you heard?
Il have intelligence that the police
can put their hands upon"
No name, no namei" she gasped
with a terrified glance round her.
Upon the person whom we know!"
he said, darkly.
She looked at him.
"Then-then you have set the po-
lice upon his tracki" she said in q
low voice.
Il have kept myself acquainted
with his movements YES" he as
scented.
She chung to the balustrade, and
her proud head dropped.
For my own sake l have done
this!" he murmured. do not be hard
upon me, Lucillel See how loath you
are to keep your part of the bargain!
Was l not right to act for my own
protection?'
She hid her face in her hands.
"A word from me and he will be
arrested" he whispered, arkly. ut
is for you to decide whether that
word shall be uttered!"
She remained silent, motionless.
Il seei" he said. There is no
hope for me! You will break our COM
pact! Well, at any rate, l shall have
the satisfaction of bringing a scoun-
drel to Justice!" and with a deep
sigh he took a step or two from ner.
She sprang up and caught his arm.
'Stop-waitl" she painted, her
white face working piteously, des-
pairingly. you must not do that!
No! | will keep to the agreement! l
will" she stopped, and put her
hand to her throat; the words could
not be got out, try as she would.
You will marry mel" he whis-
pered "You will be my wife!" and
he caught her hand.
She let her hand remain in his, but
he could feel the shudder that ran
through her.
yes, She said, hoarsely," will
be you wife Lord Merle-I will be
your wife On one condition-that-
that you will take the police"-she
shuddered again-"off his track, and
never mention his name to me again,',
Never again!'' he responded, fer
vently. HE is as far from me as
if he were dead, nowi You will be my
wife. All, Lucille," and he .ried to
draw her toward him, but she shrank
back, white to the lips.
Not now, she muttered, hoarse-
ly; Il am tired-ili! Let me go.
You-you have my promise" and with
weak, uncertain steps she drew away
from him, and entered the house by
a lower window.
Yes, l have your promise!' he
repeated to himself.
'Well?" said voice at his elbow.
He turned and confronted Marie
Werner, with glow of victory on
his face.
''Well?" he echoed, triumphantIy.
why do you ask. You have been lis
tening?"
No she said. slowly. Il met her
going through the corridor, that is
all
That is ALI" he said, exultingly.
We'll, have won, my friend-won.
The Lady of Darracourt has promised
to be my wife!"
AT lasti" she said, quietly.
AT last" he repeated 'It has been
a long business, but is over-the
prize is mine!"
Thanks to me- she said.
Thanks to you,'' he assented, hur-
riedly. "'Oh. do not, shall not for
get you. my friend!" His tone was
patronizing already. and smile crept
over her thin lips as she heard him.
'Look," he said, grasping her
arm. and pointing to the wide expanse
OF field and world stretching before
them-'look," he said, exultingly,
all mine. all mine! 1t should have
been all mine by right. but we lost
it, Now have got it back! l have
looked at it with longing. thirsty eyes
for years, and now it has come back