Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-01-05
Continued.


him with eyes that were almost a
look of terror.
so important that l hesitate even
now, on the brink of disclosing it to
you. Miss Newton-Stella, if you will
allow ME to call you by that endeared
name-I love youi Do not start, be-
seech youi Pardon me, I have de
clared the state of my heart and feel
ings too abruptly. When a man-so
Injured to the ways OF the world, so
apt in the ways of men-loses his
heart so completely as l have done TO
you, he feels that he cannot depend
upon his old caution and self-posses-
sion. His passion like torrent,
washes them away, and he is left to
float upon its bosom like the veriest
boy who has deserved life by proving
himself able to love! My dear Miss
Newton-Stella, as I implore you to
allow me to call you-my love is or
that character; it carries all self be-
lore it. | offer you my whole heart,
for / have never loved another"
He stopped abruptly and started
AT that moment a voice in the hall
had called on some one by the name
of Lucy!
'I-I-I-pardon me but did l hear
anyone calling?"
No; not for me-" said Stella, too
petrified, too astounded, too Mortified
even to take advantage of the excuse
which he had unwittingly given to her
to beat a retreat.
IL thought | heard some one call
woman's name?"
Yes said Stella, some one called
Lucy, one of the servants"
"Oh,' said Sir Richard, 81 feared
we were going to be interrupted
Miss Newton, to resume, | offer you
my love, whole and complete, l lay
myself and all l possesse at your feet.
The world, as you may be aware, calls
me a rich man; may not be without
influence; l may be able to place the
woman who becomes my wife in a po-
ionable world with envy. Miss New
sition good enough to fill half the fash
ton, ali this l offer you; will you say
yes? You will not refuse me?''
Stella arose and turned her white,
cold face toward him.
Eyes, Sir Richard-I-I must re-
fuse
Refused" he echoed, staring at her
with the shadow of a frown on his
brow Surely you have not consid-
cred
Il have considered everything" said
Stella, family.
"But-but-if you do not love me
you may do So
Sir Richards shadow of frown
deepened and became a frown indeed.
But only for a moment, the next it
cleared from his face and the eyelids
<drooped with a splendid assumption Of
sorrow.
Miss Newton you would strike
deathblow to my heart if l did not
even yet allow myself to hope. I
can hope to prove to you by constant
and untiring devotion how deeply I
love you, and to win your love in re-
turn if | am assured that your affec-
lions are not placed elsewherei"
He raised his small, dark eyes and
fixed them with a covert scrutiny on
ner lace While ne Wditeu ioI Hel dis
wer.
That" said Stella with a touch
of her old pride. lis question you
have no right to ask, and one that
shall refuse to answer
Sir Richard sighed.
rAh y he said, your GOODNESS cuts
me to the heart. l have no right to
cIx n I will mr. thiTIor OD1U
NAV | dare to do, and that is to warn.
My love for you compels me to fulfil
that duty. Miss Newton, beware."
'Of what Sir Richard?" asked Stel-
la, cycling him proudly.
''Of deceit. Beware that you are not
already deceived, and that the fruits
shall not be seen hereafter. He whom
you love-I mention not his name
may prove himself false not only to
you but to honor
.sStop, Sir Richard," said Stella her
face set and passionate, her eyes all
ablaze, her whole 1.-THE, graceful body
strained to its full height. Spare
your malice; such warnings are by me
unneeded. If he whom l have chosen
-zbe he whatsoever he may-should
Prove false to honor say not to me
but to honor-I will
Twill thank me for what I have said
and give me hope!"
YES said Stella, with scornful
smile 81 dare risk even so much, Sir
Richard, on the faith hold in the hon.
or of the individual you so malign-"
Then, as he bowed down before her
with a silent gesture of humble devo-
ton, she swept from the room.
Reach a woman's heart and she is a
lamb, toueh her pride and she is a
lioness.
cnApTER wv