Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-04-14

! ed Marie Werner. And now for the
history. You remember my telling
you that Darracourt once belonged to
the Merles7'
Eyes," said Lucille.
| We'll, it seems that the late mar
| quis, this ones father, was one of
those gentlemen who enjoy spending
money, and that, like most men gifted
in that direction, he spent too much.
And so he sold Darracourt, to your
uncle, sold it with all the plate and
the furniture and all the aforesaid.
There. Mr.. Head, I've got the word In
and you ought to be satisfied. Wasn't
that an awful sacrifice? Fancy having
to part with this lovely place. No
wonder the present marquis looks so
melancholy. If Mrs. Dalton would
not be shocked l could shed tears of
sympathy
Mr.. Dalton ignored this appeal with
dignified sniff. Il was under the
impression that such properties were
entailed," she said, addressing Mr..
Head, land that they could not be
sold"
Only with the permission of the
eldest son." explained the lawyer.
The marquis had to get his sons
permission before he could sell It..
But as there was nothing but sale
! or ruin, of course, he consented, es-
pecially as a portion of the money
went to purchase the hall where the
present marquis now lives.''
"And is the present marquis the
only SOM" asked Mrs. Dalton.
Mr.. Head had his wineglass to his
lips at the moment, and he paused a
second before replying, while a very
faint line wrinkled his forehead.
"The present marquis was the
next in succession" he said, slowly,
and with certain gravity.
Lucille, who was listening intent
ly, noticed the hesitation and the
tone of the reply; and Marie vern-
er's sharp eyes glanced at the law
yer's face.
There is something behind;
tell US the whole of the story,
Mr.. Head" He looked toward Luz
ellie. There is something behind"
he said gravely-"a dark shadow
which rests upon the house of Merle.
Some other time" he said, biting his
lips. !xm
We'll, as it is beyond the power of
mortal man to, say nothing of three
poor women, to force anything from
lawyer | suppose we must possess
our souls in patience" said Marie
Werner, lightly. But you have sue
ceeded in throwing a still more ro-
mantle halo round the interesting
marquis, Mr.. Head. I'm more entirely
lost than ever
L think we had better leave Mr..
Head to the enjoyment of his wine"
said Mrs. Dalton, primly, and Lucille
rose and led the way into the drawing
room
You don't mind my playing? Music
is the only possible vent from my suf-
focatlng emotions! This lovely place,
this dark and melancholy marquis
with shadow over his house. the ex-
cltement, and the brass band have
turned my head! And you" pointing
to Lucille, as she stood like a lovely
statue in the center of the splendid
room-"you can be cool and collect
ed! 1t passes my comprehension
Miss Darracourt is happy in the
possession of a well balanced mind"
said Mrs. Dalton with solemn appro-
baton. ITO well-balanced mind
the vicissitudes of fortune are I'M
MATERIAL"
Then l must have a mind without
any balance at ALL" retorted Marie
Werner. For the vicissitudes of for
tune-if that's what you call being
left such a place as this-would send
me stark, staring mad!''
you will send Mrs. Dalton stark.
staring mad if you go on in this ia
shion, Marie. Play by all means and
give your feelings VENT"
And how are you going to give
Jul I-dl w dyS SuppoSluS you
have any?" demanded Marie.
I'm the fresh air. l can hear you
on the terrace here
Marie Werner plunged into an OPP
cratic overture, and the music rang
through the room and f1oated out to
the fresh evening air, Lucille stood
for few minutes listening but after
time the music seemed too oppres-
sive, and she walked along the ter
race until she reached q small, cir
cular space which overlooked the
park.
In this nook there was a seat, and
welcoming the quietude, Lucille
walked to the edge of the parapet and
looked over.
As she did so it was with a sudden
start of surprise that she saw a young