Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-08-26
! Love $ Conquest !
By CHARLES GARV1CE
i !

By CHARLES GARVICE

| The marquis raised his head.
How much do you want?" he ask
ed, calmly. quietly, with nothing OF
what he felt showing, save in the
dilation of his nostrils and the ex-
IRENE paIlor of his face.
M. Sinclair opened his lips.
Five and tweny thousand pounds! pa,
he said
The marquis emitted a hollow
laugh
give and twenty-it is ridiculous
-madnessi"
when you have hundreds Of thou
sands?" said Mr.. Sinclair.
The marquis shook his head.
Il nave nothing" he said; cal
most nothing!"
'WeU, the marchioness-at least,
your wife hast is all the same"
The marquis shook his head again.
"Oh, yes it isl" repeated Mr.. Sin
clair whats five and tweny thou
sand to her? Why, I might have
asked for half your fortune! You
couldn't refuse"
Gould I not?" said the marquis,
with an icy smile. Suppose l re-
| fuse to give you anything?"
! Mr.. Sinclair reached for his hat.
"Then I 90 to the Marquis Of
Merle" he said. 'If it's worth five
ind twenty thousand to you, it's
worth that and more to him. mean
! the MARQUIS of MerIe-Harry Herne,
mister"
A tremor ran through the mar
quis' frame, and CLEAN Of hate
shone in his eyes. He was about
to speak when the door opened and
vision, as it seemed to Mr.. Sin
clair, stood in the opening. It was
Lucille
Dinner has been announced"
she said; then, as she saw the
strange figure she broke off. II beg
your pardon; I thought you were
alone"
Eyes; it is of no consequence"
said the marquis. "a man of bust
ness"
Mr.. Sinclair pIucked up courage,
and, rising, made a theatrical bow
to Lucille.
"An old friend of your husbands,
my lady" he said, with an insinu-
ating smile.
LucilIes lovely eyes rested on
him with faint surprise. This man
friend of her husbands, the fas-
tidious marquis! But she inclined
her head slightly.
81 shall be ready in a moment or
two" said the marquis, and he went
to open the door for her.
Lucille glanced at him, and then
at the man, bowed again slightly,
and went away.
The marquis stood, white and mo-
tionless, drops of sweat upon his
brow
Mr. Sinclair chuckled.
Rather tough upon her ladyship"
he said. "This little slip robs you
of your title and her of all her mon
ey-every penny of it, marquis!"
The marquis stared at him va
cantIy. Then he came and stood OPP
posite Mr.. Sinclair
Five and twenty thousand" he
said. ut is enormous; a fortune"
"A mere slice out of your cake,
said Mr.. Sinclair
But you shall have it," continued
the marquis.
Right" cried Mr. Sinclair. Give
us your check"
The marquis shook his head
Not now. I have not got the
money"
ooh comet" expostuIated Mr.. Sim
clair.
The marquis eyes grew steely
and flashed.
q have not the money" he said;
but I will get it."
All right said Mr.. Sinclair, ami
ably. I'm in no hurry for day,
or a week or two. Meanwhile, mar
quis, you won't mind my keeping an
eye on you? Men in a hole like this
you're in. are apt to give one the
slip. You won't mind my giving
you a look in now and again.
The marquis was silent-a crush
ing weight seemed to have fallen
upon him.
I'll look in now and again in
friendly way until the money is
raised said Mr.. Sinclair, obligingly,
You telegraph to Paris, if you like.
Peter run over and see for your
self; it would be safer. I'll go with
you" He got his hat. Don't take
my word for it; prove it to your
own satisfaction. I'm off now!
Here!" he said. as if a thought
struck him. Just come down with
me, will you?"
The marquis hesitated, then fol-
lowed the vulgar, Respondent figure
down the stairs.
/ Arrived in the hall, Mr., Sinclair
/ held out his hand, and, glancing
round at the group of servants who
were watching with all their eyes,
he said, in a loud hearty voice:
We'll. good-evening, Merle, Sorry
I I can't stay, Look in again soon,
/ Good-evening, old chap" and, shak-
! ing the white. thin hand like
pump handle, he glanced rather tri-
umphantly at the amazed faces OF
rthe porter and footmen, and stalked
/ toward the door.
! Arrived there, however. he pauS-