Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-11-12
METHODS OF BARBARIsM.


me-" she pertly answered.
"By heaven! l could shake you till
you begged for mercy, you Internal
coquette!" he said thiclly. "Have you
not done your best to make me love
you. lured me on with every trick and
vile known to your sex until it seemed
to me the desert bloomed anew, that
women still were fair and true at heart?
But if you were not in earnest | am
and | swear you shall marry me-
''You speak too big" she observed
''There is no power on earth viii ever
make me marry you"
SIS there not ?" he said grimly.
For moment they faced each other,
angry defiance on her face, implacable
resolution on his, and then he was gone
When Madeleine Chiswell came after
triumphal career over score of
wounded hearts on long promised visit
to an old friend living in the village of
Barnsley, it was unanimously decided
by the lively house party that she would
meet her match in the misogynistic
hermit of the place, Sir Alwyn Blackett.
He was an embittered man, who, iilt-
ed in his first youth by a mercenary
woman, forswore all feminine society and
became a cynical unbeliever in their sex.
By every art known to woman, yet so
subtly that for once his astuteness failed
him and he was deep in the coils, tbs
enchantress led him on with a patience
and dexterity worthy better cause until
Sir Alwyn was hopelessly ensnared, and
believing she was his for the asking
marched boldly ON his doom.
Madeleine sat where he left her feel
ing mentally stunned and bruised as if
he had indeed shaken her as he threat
ened.
For the next day or two she felt,
strangely nervous and shrank from
meeting him, but when they did she
breathed more freely and told herself
she was mad to think he had meant
what he said, and was even trife NOR
titled at the apparent ease with which
he had recovered, for nothing could e1-
coed the quiet friendliness of his man
ner towards her
| And now the positions were reversed
! the hunted had turned hunter, the pur-
sued pursuer. With or without excuse
he was by her side on every possible oc-
casion, frowns, scorn, sulks or indignant
| fury leaving him unmoved So eoupls
| of weeks passed. and then Sir Alwyn
judged it was time to spring his mind
| On this particular Sunday the old vii
| lage church was close and sitting
Madeleine moved restlessly in the wide
manor pew. On the other side of the
aisle Sir Alwyn listened with impassive
| face to the reading of the second lesson
but rousing himself at the closing words
turned slightly and deliberately stared
across at Madeleine Then the vicar
rose and read in his most impressive
manner:
Il publish the banns of marriage be-
tween Alwyn Hurworth Blackett, bach
elor, of this parish, and Madeleine Ave
| line Chiswell, spinster, of the parish of
st. Mary's, Kensington. If any of you
know cause or just impediment why
these two persons should not be Joined
together in holy matrimony We are to
declare it. This is the first time of ask
ing"
At the sound of Sir Alwyn's name she
became very still, the color coming and
going in her smooth cheeks. But at the
second name she grew deadly white, her
eyes dilated. and hoTor-struck she made
a movement to rise and pronounce the
cause and just impeachment" Unfor
tunately her startled gaze met Sir Al
wyn's steady one, and the malicious
amusement in his eyes paralyzed her for
the moment.
With a gasp she came to herself and
resolutely beat back the faintuess
threatening her. but by this time the
opportunity for uttering her protest had
passed. As the service continued her
spirits regained their confidence. He
thought to brighten her into submission
by this ruse. did he?
In the manor's deserted library she
faced him expectantly. He took a small
case from his waistcoat pocket
"Will YOU please take off your glove p"
NO, thanks she said, Jelly.
"Will you take it off or must make
you?"
Make mel" she laughed incredulously.
For answer he took her left hand in
his powerful grip, and, realizing the
futihty of struggling, she stood helpless
while he pecled the soft glove from her
fingers.
Still holding her hand in his. he opened
the case, and taking from it a magnif
cent emerald set round with fine dia.
monds, he slipped it on her ring finger.
With gasp of rage she snatched her
hand from his and, frantically pulling
off the ring, flung it across the room.
Sir Alwyn crossed the room and, pick
ing it up, came back to her and once
more placed it on her unwilling hand.
Furious, Inundated beyond words bv
his serene persistency. Madeleine raised
the ringed hand and struck him heavily
on the mouth, the jewels sharp facets
drawing blood.
The blow was so unexpected that Al
wynn drew back in establishment. Then
he moved forward and, enfolding her
small face between his palms. turned it
up 10 meet his own and looked stead.
lastly into her mutinous. angry ewes.
You win pay me in kisses for this
when we are married. was his sole
comment as releasing her he raised his
handkerchief to the smarting wound.
And that viii never be-" she painted.
white 10 the lips.
! wild creatures must be tanned" he