Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-02-11
CHAPTER XVI.

Harold Denison paused. He had never
seen his nephew break through his con-
ventionaI. cool. easy manner in this wise
before He felt that he had been terribly
in earnest all through their interview.
Had he really some clue that might save
him? Then, perhaps, as far as it was in
his selfish nature to care for anyone, he
loved that child of his dead sister. who
had just poured forth this torrent of fran
tic entreaty. The cynic mask dropped
from his face as he extended his hand.
I've had a deal TO try me lately,
Gren difficulties have thickened and
complicated above my head. You mustn't
think anything of what | say. Show me,
hoy. how to raise ten thousand tomorrow
morning and we'll talk over other things
afterwards At all events, Maude shan't
marry pearman."
"Good-night uncle" said Grenville, as
he clasped Dcnison's extended hand. You
can't think how happy you've made me.
Leave me to work now, and if I'm not in
a position to forbid the banns by break
fast tomorrow, may l never have another
brief =
Long and anxiously did Granville wade
through those villainous musty old parch-
ments that night 1t was a big box. and
contained some two or three hundred such
old leases, agreements. mortgage deeds
since cancelled. deeds of trust, and mar
riage settlements of bygone Denisons now
sleeping their long sleep in the quiet old
churchyard. The clock had struck three
ere, with q chill feeling of defeat, he took
out the last musty paper. Could this be
it? No, it was but some old parchment
connected with right of water power in
the last century. Sadly Grenvile tumbled
the mass of papers back into the box, and
gloomily sought his pillow. Had he dreamt
of the deed he had looked for? No"
he muttered, as he undressed Il saw il
once in that room. What can have become
Of It? Maude, my dearest. have | told
YOU to hope. and have l hoped only to
drink the bitter cup of disappointment? ?"
Bed was not of much use to Granville
Rose that night. He tried it: but de-
spite his journey and late search through
those bewildering papers, sleep refused to
visit his eyelds. A little more than
three hours, and he was splashing in his
bath, and, with knit brows, still meditat-
ing on what could have become of that
sll-essential parchment 1T looks bad.
but 1 won't give in. l must search fur
Their. I'll have my head in every box.
escritoire, cabinet, or cupboard in all
Glinn before tomorrow night" In the
meantime he recollected that Maude was
an early riser. so. finished his toilet and
betook himself quietly to the garden
II WAS not long before he caught sight
of the futter of light dress few sec
onds. and he was by Maude's side. Her
face flushed as she met him, and her
greeting was evidently forced and con-
strained
II thought. Maude. dearest" he said.
that l might have the luck TO meet you
before breakfast. 1t is the only chance
have of seeing you alone. Can you tell
NE still that you don't repent what you
wrote in, answer TO my letter of some
fortnight or SO back?"
oh Gren. what am l TO say to you?
What must you think of me2 l never
thought you cared about me in that way
you know And then to write to you as
did But. Gren. dear, | did mean il. |
fought hard to be true to you. What can
/ do? They say it rests with me TO keep
Glinn as home to my father, and that
If / don't marry Mr.. Pearman, we shall
be wanderers about the world. That
would kill them. l am very miserable.
You don't know what l had TO go through
/ didn't give in till l could bear it no
longer. Be kind to me, Gren, please"
And the grey eyes, swimming with tears
looked up into Roses face with a piteous
pleading expression that half maddened
him.
Don't know what you had to go
through, my pet? HUM l think l can
make a pretty fair guess" And even as