Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-12-22
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she grew restless under their search
ing gaze.
Extraordinary said Mrs. Newton,
"and pray who told you that?''
HE himself. 1 met him in the gar
den," replied Stella.
well, I'm sure he might have said
good-by, l think" pouted the school
girl. after being so friendly last
night, too"
81 think he might Fave had the po-
likeness to wait and see me-" said
Mrs. Newton, frigidly, 'at least
Stella made no further explanation,
and the breakfast commenced.
Sir Richard made himself perfectly
at home, retailed all the news and
paid great attention to the girls, but
somehow he was not popular, and di-
rectly the breakfast was over the
young ones scampered away, dragging
Stella with them, and Sir Richard and
Mrs. Newton were left alone.
Then the willy man of the world
commenced the game which he felt so
, sure of winning.
Madam" he said, "my note and
my appearance which followed so
soon afterward must have some
what surprised YOU"
'No-not at ALL simpered Mrs.
Newton; Eat least we were delighted
to see you So kind to make such
friends of us; and | am so glad you
came. 1t would have been unbearably
miserable in the shooting box all
alone
Sir Richard bowed gratefully
ut would indeed" he said. you
will be surprised perhaps to hear that
I had a distinct purpose in attending
upon you last night" he continued, IN
his soft, seductive voice.
Mrs. Newton smiled as amicably as
she could, and looked curious.
Indeed, Sir Richard?"
YES" he went on, "an object very
near my heart. My dear Mrs. New
ton, have fallen in love with your
daughter"
The worldly mother started, and
looked embarrassed.
1t was a great honor truly, for Sir
Richard was baronet, and wealthy
oh, no one knew how wealthy. But
then there was Lord Marmion,
Sir Richard smiled inwardly. He
! knew the very thoughts that were
fitting through her calculating brain,
and he was quite prepared for them
Il loved her from the first moment
saw her. ne continued And VINO
could help doing so? She is beautiful
and amiable All, madam, I am no boy
to whom the world and womankind
are fairyland of impossibilities! I
am a man of the world, and l have
learned by experience to recognize and
value so great a treasure as your
daughter. For years have been seek
ing for the woman whom | could with
confidence make my wife. / have ad-
mired many, respected few, but
never met the one | could love and
respect at the same time until saw
Miss Newton. Can you be surprised
madam, that /, man of the world
should feel doubtful of the passion
with which she inspired me? I am
determined to test it. Hitherto, | told
myself, you have but seen her at her
best, at balls and in public; go unex-
pectedly and see her at her home, in
the position which you would have her
fill for you. l came down uneXpect-
edly, and I find her good, true, happy,
as child in the midst of happy cir
Gle of children, and need I say, mad
am, that l love her more passfonately
than ever?
Now he continued, "a rash boy
would let his passion run away with
him, and disregarding the respect due
TO you, my dear Mrs. Newton, would
present himself to Miss Newton and
declare his love. / come to you be-
fore take that step, for two reasons:
first, because l think it is your due;
secondly, because, thought would at
once without loss of time place you in
possession of my intention and hope.
| ] am disinclined to declare myself to
| Miss Newton You VIII see my rea-
| sons at glance. You will see why |
am unwilling to risk my all at so short
an acquaintance; we have known each
other SO little; 1 have scarcely had
time to convince her of my devotion l
come to you, my dear madam, to ask
you for your daughters hand at once,
/ and"-here he spoke more slowly and
eyed the worldly face with keen atten-
toni should have done it before
hut I thought, l feared, that another
had a prior claim to your considera
ton
Mrs. Newton started and turned to
him with willy look.
! Il mean Lord Marmion," continued
/ Sir Richard. con Christmas eve
only learned that I had erred. Lord
Marmion is engaged to marry his
cousin, the Lady Pauline: an engage
ment which has existed in form for
years. Directly I knew that I had de,
termined to lay my cause before you