Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-05-19

good turn some day. Always useful
to have a marquis for a friend
Hush, here he is" And she dashed
into a valse as the tall, thin, aristo-
cratic figure appeared in the door.
way.
His manner of greeting the two
young ladies was simply perfection
Respect, admiration for Marie Yer
ner; an awed humility and sugges-
ton of reverential worship for Lu-
ellie.
1--WE thought you were never com
ing to see us, Lork Merle," said Ma
RE Werner, with an arch nod.
He looked at her almost piteously
and the glance was not lost upon
Lucille, as ne had intended it should
not be.
I'll he stammered, with a
splendid aaffectation of embarrass
ment, 81 thought that you would
have had a surfeit of visitors this
last fortnight, Miss Darracourt; and
indeed, l should not have ventured
upon coming this afternoon, but that
my gardener requested me com
manded me, is the word-to bring voc
some orchids which he f1atters him
self are unique"
"They are very beautiful e she
said, pleasantly.
81 am glad you admire them; they
are curious"
"They are delightful exclaimed
Marie Werner. 1--WE have got nothing
like them here; have we. Lucille?
I'll go and get a few of our miserable
specimens, and you shall see how far
you excel u.s." and she ran from the
room as innocently as possible.
The marquis took a chair near the
couch.
81 cannot tell you how gratitied
am, Miss Darracourt," he said, in a
low, humble voice.
"Gratified?" repeated Lucille, rails
ing her brows.
THAT you should receive me-" he
went on, hurriedly. 81 had expected
that you would have declined to see
me. deserve that, and any punish
ment you might think fit to visit up
on me for my conduct
do not say any more, Lord
Merle" she said. IF you think
that you have offended me, how
much more cause have you to consid-
er that you have injured another per-
SOM"
His lips frightened for a moment,
then he looked up her with humble
eagerness.
Yes, know. You allude to the
young man Harry Herne. I did in
suit and wrong him, Miss Darracourt,
and / am anxious to make amends.
have sought him with the intention
of doing so, but he has kept out of
my way, l fear persistently. Believe
me that | will make whatever amends
may lie in my power; and if | sue
coed, may | venture to hope that you
will not only forgive, but forget my
display of hasty and evil temper?'
Lucille could not resist the plead
ing voice, the humble, imploring
gaze. She held out her hand with a
smile.
His pale face flushed as he took
her hand, and it seemed as if he were
about to raise it to his lips, when
Marie Werner, who had been waiting
outside the room or a suitable mo-
ment to enter, came in.
Here are the miserable speci.
mens,'' she said, "and l had to beg
hard for these
Really" said the marquis. How
I wish I could show you my orchid
house. Is it quite impossible?" he
added, looking from one to the other
eagerly.
Nothing is impossible to a man, I"
said Marie Werner, pertly. Il don't
know why we shouldn't so and see
them. Mrs. Dalton can come with
us and play propriety. What do you
say, Lucille?" -.
Lucille thinking that it would seem
ungracious to refuse, got up at once.
Il will ask Mrs. Dalton if she could
go. You mean for us to come now?''
Eyes, certainly. No time like the
present.
The four set out for the short walk
to the Hall.
Suddenly, as they passed through
the large gates of the park and were
in the road, they saw Harry
Herne on horseback.
Lucille, with a little futtering OF
the heart at the awkwardness of the
meeting, was passing on, when the
marquis, whose face had paled at
the sight of his foe said in a low
voice, Excuse me a moment" and
leaving her side, advanced towards
Harry Herne.
'Herne," he said, in slow, dis
tinct tone, Il lost my temper the
other day and-insulted you. |