Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-07-02
CHAPTER VIII.


The millionaire came up the path, and
into the house with such speed that he
was in the room almost before Vevona's
cry of amazement had died away. He
did not offer his hand; he hardly seemed
to see her companion. He blurted out
where's Laura 2"
Laura"
Eyes! Isn't she here?"
"HereH MOI"
"T'hen where is sheH" cried Mr. Hess
lerigge. He glared at her, glared at the
viscount, fumbling meanwhile in an in
ner pocket. Florid always, he was now
so hot and red that it seemed as though
he must fairly explode with his fiery
Impotence. $50 you're here, Martin
gale! Couldn't make out where on earth
you were last night Suppose you got
caught by that fog and had to run up
somewhere? Where is the thingP Oh,
here, confound It'll" He dragged a paper
out of his pocket Miss Ford-I beg
your pardon, my dear, but / can't make
out what it all means. Look here, we
were dining out last night, and at the
last minute Laura wouldn't go-sent
down message that she'd got a head
ache. All right so fart She's always
having 'em when she don't want to do
anything. But here this morning. an
hour ago, down comes her maid in flus-
ter to say my lady's not in her room, and
that footman had found this note on
the library table directed to me. Not a
thing in it except that if want to know
all about it must ask Verona, who does
know all about it. So naturally think
she must be here. You say she is not
here Then where is she? Don't you
know?"
Quite breathless with the length and
vehemence of his speech. and hotter than
ever the millionaire took off his hat and
wiped his forehead. Verona glanced help.
lessly at the paper he had slapped down
on the table before her, containing lust
what he had said and no more.
81 know nothing" she faltered. ~ am
only just home, Mr.. Hesslerigge. Laura
was here yesterday afternoon wanting
to see me. She left note-hsre it is.
l have not read it yet"
Then read it, and let's hear what's
got the girl. It's good thing you are
here, Martingale. You gave Miss Ford
a lift home, | suppose, It's as much
your business as mine. Hang me if
should be surprised to hear that she's
gone prancing off to her cousins in Lon
don; she's always grumbling at the coun-
try. You'll have to keep a tighter hand
over her when she's married" said Mr.
Hesslerigge, wiping his forehead again
"Now, my dear, read it out, pleased"
Verona took the letter. She could
hardIv hold the manor StaadiIv
Dearest Verona" Laura had written
-"You were quite right. It's coming
awfully near, and / can't do it. Lord
Martingale gets sulkier and sulkier every
day. If dad wants to ramp he must
Pm not going to be miserable just to
please him and Aunt Maria. I'm rather
glad you're not at home after all, be-
cause know you'd preach at me not
to marry Eric. I'm going TO give them
the slip and go by the night train; he'll
meet me at Paddington, and we shall be
married tomorrow He has got every
thing ready. I'd like to see your face
when you read this, you dear prim thingl
Hope dad won't quite eat youl-Ever
yours, LAURA"
Verona let the paper slip from her
hand. The millionaire crushed it up into
ball and sent II spinning out OF the
door. In moments of excitement he was
of choleric temper and unbridled speech;
he raved up and down the little room.
"Pritchard-a beggarly lieutenant! I'll
break every bone in the young scoun-
drel's skin! I'll have him cashiered! And
as for her, I'll lock the vixen up I'll
feed her on bread and waterl III send
her to convent to come to her senses!
Within a fortnight Of her wedding day,
too. with the settlements half drawn up!
What will people sayf But not a shil-
ling do they ever have of my money
not penny, not fraction. I'll see 'em
starve first! Look here, Martingale, I'm
off to London by the next train that'll
take me. You'll come, too, of course?
Well bring her back between u.s. see if
we DON'T" He was charging out of the
door with a short laugh-the first sound
he had uttered-when the viscount laid
his hand on his shoulder and swung him
back again.
why, no; l don't think will he
said quietly.