Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-07-20

CHAPTER XXI.
81 Charloa Garvice

his head about Leverick, he had some;
thing far more serious to think of.
The information which Mr.. Wheeler
had given him had struck him to the
very center. If true, there was
chance that he might even yet lose
Lorrie! Lose Lorrie! The thought
made his heart almost stand still.
Lose her after all he had dared and
done! Smiling placidly he walked
along westward, his hand clinched
upon his cane, and his teeth ground
together.
There was not time to be wasted.
If this news was true, Lorrie must be
made his wife at once! But how?
All the way along the Strand and up
Pail Mall he resolved this question in
his acute brain, and it was not until
he stood opposite his fathers club
that an idea came in answer.
He went UP the steps in his light
and cat-like fashion, and learning
that Mr.. Melford, senior, was in the
smoking room, entered that apart
ment.
Mr.. Melford was seated before
glass of whisky and water, and smok-
ing z. large cigar, which he worked in
to the corner of his mouth to grunt
a greeting to his only son.
"Hallo!" he said; what's the mat
ter?'' for Mr.. Seymour was not in the
habit of paying his father visits at
his club unless he wanted something.
Don't let me disturb you. 1 wanted
to speak to you about the French con-
tract"
well. what about it,"
Don't you think some one had
better 20 and look after that bust
ness?" said Mr.. Seymour, pleasantly.
"Sorlebody to go to France-of
courc 2. I'm going to send my man CT
bus ness"
Don't you think that some one
more closely connected and interest
ed ought to go?" asked Mr.. Seymour.
What do you mean? Do you mean
me?"
mo. 7 meant myself" replied Sey-
mOur.
what do. you want to go to the
soutb Of France for?" he said. why,
thought you were head over ears IN
love with Miss Dolores, and couldn't
leave her for more than a couple OF
days"
Nor can I. I intend taking her with
me-"
'gTake her with you! Do you mean
that you want to marry her right Oh!
THAT is what mean and want.
What's your reason for this sud
denness?. Why can't you wait the
the proper time? Why, it's only yes
terday, so to speak, that you got en-
gaged. Are you afraid she'll get tired
OF you, SEYMOUR"
Not exactly, sir; I have my rea-
sons, but l won't weary you with
them. I am not always wrong in what
! do, sir,' he added, significantly
No, no! I'll do you that justice.
You managed that affair between Di-
ana and young Kendale properly
enough. But this tear-away business
puzzles me! Why do you do it?'
call it a whim, if you like, sir, he
said. "At any rate, you can trust me
to look after the French business.
am willing to go over there in three
weeks. I shall be more useful to you
than your man, / Think?
Have your own way. don't pre-
tend to know your motives, but you
seem to be playing strange game!
One day you fall in love with par
sons daughter, you might have mar
ried as high as you liked; then you
choose to throw your m ney away on
the Wheal Rose shares, and now you
want to get married all in five min
utes! Well, have your way! You want
some money, suppose? IA iSht!
Just write NE a short note saying
that it is imperatively ne 1essary that
I should go to Franc will you? Put
It as strongly as 20, like; you can't
put it too strongly.
There you are" he said, pushing
it toward him. You're a strange fell
low, Seymour. I suppose you Couldn't
go straight if you tried!"
4 have q way of my own of doing
things"
yes, and a deuced mysterious
way! VIII you have some wine-cigar
-anything?"
Nothing. thanks. I never drink
anything in the morning" and with
respectful and even affectionate nod
he went out, and in an hours time he
was in the train bound for Carshal.
They are sitting round the fire in
the rectory drowing-room that even
ing when he was announced. and Lor-
RE, who has been staring at an open
leaf of the last new novel without
turning it for the last half hour, starts
and changes color.
4 thought you were going to re-
main in London tonight" giving him
her hand coldly.
4 had intended doing so, but some
thing had occurred to change my