The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-07-07
SIR ARTHURS' WARD.

sensible or her near proximity III
could not take his eyes off the delicate
curve of her fair cheek-the only part Of
her face he could see. For she had pulled
her hat down to shade her eyes from
the sunshine which came dancing through
the trees and rested IN patches on the
girl as if it loved her.
PAM" said Mainwaring hesitatingly
pam, dear, will you marry me? You
know how [ adore you-how wretched
am without you. Oh, Pam, only think
what life would be always by your
side!"
The girl started at the sound of his
voice and an expression of surprise came
over her face and then she broke into
Gilbert" she said. 81 have told you be-
fore not to be so silly. AS if I could
ever marry boy like you"
"Then it is because you are in love
with somebody else," he said GROSSLY.
81 have thought so for long time.
believe you are dazzled by the fascina-
lions of that fool Morton, who is stay
ing at Parkwood."
A little color had crept into Pamela's
cheeks at his first insinuation, but as
he finished it fled, and she threw her
head back and laughed again. cap
tain Norton" she repeated laughing, then
added thoughtfully, "But, Gilbert, dear,
you must admit that he dances beauti-
fully"
There, I knew it," he cried. "The
mans nothing but rake, and is proud
of his reputation for breaking hearts.
You don't think he means anything, do
you? Why, you are not nearly rich
enough for him. Morton's up to his
ears in debt, and is on the lookout for
an heiress."
"You seem to know a lot about his af-
fairs" said Pamela, nonchalantly dig
ging up the soft, damp moss with the
end of her stick.
"Well, [ made a point of finding out
| about him at the ball last week Uncle
Arthur had heard how much you danced
with him, and was talking to me about
him only yesterday"
Pamela threw up her head and turned
to him. Her Indifference had suddenly
fled. "What did Sir Arthur say?" she
asked peremptorily.
ooh, he only wanted to know what
sort of fellow he was. You see, Uncle
Arthur feels sort of responsibility for
you, as you are his ward. Mother has
told me how pleased he would be if you
married me-"
Pamela started to her feet, her dreamy
mood had left her.
"Then am afraid he will be disap-
pointed" she said carelessly. anyhow,
we will stop this stupid conversation and
go home. 1t must be nearly luncheon
time. How I have wasted the whole
morning." regretfully. And she turned
away without another word and proceed
ed alone back to the court, Gilbert being
far too sulky to accompany her.
81 want to talk to you, Pamela. Do
you mind coming into the study?" and
Sir Arthur held open the door for the
girl to pass through.
what is it all about?" she asked. II
am dying to know"
He paused a moment as if he felt it
difficult to proceed.
Gilbert was talking to me last night, !"
he began, but she interrupted him at
once.
Gilbert ?" she said quickly. ooh, don't
| let us talk about Gilbert His converse
ton is foolish enough anyhow, but to
! hear it second hand"
II am afraid | must talk about him, .
said Sir Arthur with some impatience.
His was not a pleasant task anyhow.
He wanted to get it over as quickly as
possible Gle told me that he had asked
you to marry him yesterday, and-that
you had refused him."
"And I suppose he asked you to plead
for him." she said in an unnaturally
quiet voice.
"He did"
care you going to?"
He paced once up and down the room
before he came back to the table. "Gil-
bert" he said at last, els well off. He
has money of his own besides being
my heir"
"And supposing you married?" she
said in hard voice. cit would be rather
hard on me, don't you think, if I mar
ried Gilbert expecting TO come into your
property, and then was disappointed. I
am so very fond of the court, you see"
II shall never marry"
''Well, is that all you have to say ?"
she asked, after a pause, during which
the clock on the mantelpiece licked nois-
| lily. "Is that the only reason you want
me to marry Gilbert-because he will
come in for your money!"
"He-he is devoted to you," he an
swered.
Pamela shrugged her shoulders. eHe
was devoted to Miss Darcy few months
ago" she said, "and will be devoted to
some one quite different few months
hence. [ don't think you need worry
about him." and she got up from her
chair.
"Stop moment!" he said quickly. "I
want to ask you something. Perhaps
perhaps you won't marry Gilbert because
because you care for somebody else %
II don't think that has anything to do
with the NATTER" said she. eff there
were not another man in the world I
would not marry Gilbert"
Perhaps not" he replied, 'sbut YOU
see, in the position of your guardian. I
am bound to see that you bestow your
affections on some one of whom I ap-
prove-some one who will make YOU
happy. For two years, at any rate, you
cannot marry without my consent
"Well, Sir Arthur, I am afraid I shall
please myself in such matter if I have
your consent or not" and without look
ing at him again she turned and left
the room.
And he sat on with clenched hands
and grey face. 'T have offended her
now" he muttered. "She loves that Nor
ton fellow, and heaven forgive me, 1
have done more harm than good"
1t was very warm night-so warm
~ Al II l
were strolling in the grounds. There had
Ioar cnvpral o,1actc RI dinnar n Al