Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-01-20

NO." he said.
Il wish you had not a penny. Your
wealth is the only thing about you
which I am not in love with Could
you not manage to lose 1t, dearest?"
you wicked mani" laughed Stella,
happily. do you know, Id espised
it as much as you do until-until the
day before yesterday. Then, when l
remembered that it might be of sery-
ice to you, I almost loved it"
Louis brow contracted.
IF . he said, then StoDped.
IF what?" she asked.
"If you were poor I should feel more
secure Of you than II you had money.
Cold grows into a high wall Of part
ing sometimes; but there, I will not
think of it. I cannot lose you and
live, Stella: so if you would not have
my murder on your soul do not let
anything part us. But / must tell
you what I saw yesterday. The most
beautiful face I ever dreamed Of"
oh" said Stella turning away her
face, "a wOman's?"
No he laughed - chiId's."
ON said Stella, with evident re-
lief, and turning her smiling face to-
ward him.
such a dear little fellow. in the
keeping Of the strangest, most orig
inaI man you can imagine. I found
them IN the street, and followed them
home, with some difficulty, for the
Old man was dreadfuIIy jealous Of
his treasures. [ took sketch OF
the little fellow, and l an going to
work him out in marble VIII you
come in and see the sketch?"
NO said Stella Bring it to me
here"
He drew her to a rustic seat and
ran up for the sketch.
No sooner had he gone than Ste
Dhen Hargrave came slowly past her
We'll, Stephen" she said kindly,
are you quite well?'
The man touched his hat sullenIy.
Pm quite well, Miss. I'm glad to
see you we'll"
Stella smiled.
Are you quite happy?" she said
thinking that it was an absurd Ques-
ton, for could one living in the same
house with her lover be otherwise?
Yes, I'm happy" he said, with a
.gh. 1T was a change for the better.
miss. Sir Richard was hard master,
and a cruel-hearted one"
you should not speak i'll of him"
said Stella, gently. Did he not do you
a great kindness?"
''Ay," said Stephen with a grunt.
All the same, I'll speak my mind;
and, what's more, I'd have you have a
care o. him"
What do you mean?" said Stella,
pale
She distrusted Sir Richard so much
that a warning, even when coming
from so prejudiced a source, gave her
an uneasy feeling.
What I say" retorted Stephen.
Mind your ways with Sir Richard. or
he'll WORK We some i'll.
Stella would have asked him for
more definite, and would
have finished the conversation by ad.
a reproOf, but Stephen,
having said his say, walked off in
his obstinate, self-wiIIed way, and
the next moment Louis was by hel
side again with the two sketches.
you see he said, ''F am going to
carve up a group of two-the mother
holding up her child Mother and
child l shall call i, and I shall keep
It,"
yes" said Stella, keep it and set
it UP in your garden. Just where we
stand would make a good place"
Here, then. it shall be-" he respond
ed. eagerly.
Then they walked side by side. talk
ing in a low underUone, until, with an
abrupt suddenness, Stephen came to
them.
Sir Richards coming across the
park"
Stella started.
Coming here? Let ME go at once!"
she exclaimed.
NO" said Louis. why should you
fear him 500"
But to all his entreaties she re-
manned firm in her intention Of flying
Stephen brought around the horse.
Louis lifted her into the saddle, and
she galloped or, leaving cnr renee
over which she had trespassed, and
just escaping Sir Richard by two
minutes.
Sir Richard, though he bore straight
for the Little wicket, did not pull up
with a calm smile and nod to Louis,
who raised his smoking-cap, rode in
the direction of Hawthorne.
Louis. turning suddenly around,
found Stephen at his elbow. like him
watching the departing baronet and
with the strange commingling of ex-
preston upon his face which it had
worn in Sir Richards room at the Boy
CHAPTER XVIII.
Caution is a brave mans attribute
Were there no fools the world would
soon
Be rid OF all its knaves, for they
Must prey ON one another.
That same evening Stephen walked
over in the darkness to the Box, and
Sir Richard Wildfang was in possess
ion of full report of the meeting and
conversation of the lovers.
stephen, as before, was warned TO
be careful and dismissed with the in
junction TO be all eyes and ears.
The next day Sir Richard rode ovey
to the Vale. said nothing of the init.