Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-09-27

eH ASsoiuAlohs size made her way
quickly In the direction OF the port
aye.
There was rig with two horses be-
fore the factors door. Inside the door
Tom Bowyer was standing. and Molly
faced him. white 10 the lips, and rigid.
I've given you your answer many
times" said Molly.
Bowyer smiled. "No decision that
was ever made can't be changed" he
retorted. as IL a crime 10 love you
to want TO make you my wife?"
"NO: but Il is a crime TO prosecute
me when you know you have no right
10 ask me at all"
Tom BOwyer. who had cultivated his
RACES until they had mastered him,
could never refrain from falling into
the bully's pose when he met OppoSi-
ton. He slammed his fist down fierce
ly on the counter.
I'm change your answer. MOllyv' he
cried. Before leave this store to-
night. I'll have you at my feet, for all
your pride. On IL. it's your pride l
want as much as YOU. ! want To hum
bic yoG. because there's never been
man or woman / couldn't tame sooner
or later. I'm making you an honorable
proposal. Your fathers a dying man.
Anyone can see that. / want you. and
/ want 10 take care OF him for your
sake. the rest OF his days. ! ask you
10 be my wife, 10 come TO Cold juno
NUNH nd
pose he could hold his job here an
other day II the company knew he's
paralyzed? I'll drive him from the
portage unless you marry me aud let
him take his pension and live with
US"
Il tell you no again :" cried Molly.
How many times am l to answer you?
Will you 20 nOw?"
lie caught her by the wrists. thrust.
Ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed In fear, and they heard
the dragging footsteps of the factor I'm
his room above. The old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter. There was fear in
his sunken eyes; but IL was anger
made him tremble.
'Ye 20 too far. Mr.. BOwyer" he
Quayered. "Ye Gamma insult my girl
In my own house! T.
"Get back 10 bed. you old fool! :"
Sneered Bowyer. Didn't you do your
own love-making?"
"If she Wilma have ye I Wilma sell
herr Leave the house and do your
worstr"
If / do" answered Bowyer, "Tll do
It. D'you mean that1 Answer me,
NcDonsldT
The factor sank back against the
counter and glared At him with bag
gard eyes. his gray beard brushing his
breast. BOwyer smiled triumphsntly.
speak for me, Mcdonald" he
jeered. "Tell her why She'd better
change her mind"
The factor raised his head. "Molly,
lass" he whlmpered. Its a grand OPP
portunlty he's Offering ye. Have ye no
thocht OF thatl TN be a hame for ye
In my old age, when ! Gamma care for
ye."
Molly fixed her eyes In horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bowyer STROBE between
them.
You're a fine love-makerT he
sneered. Get out OF the way
And. innamed almost TO madness, he
seized Molly In his arms and pressed
his lips to her cheek and throat again
and again.
Il guess you're not so coy as you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. "You women
are all alike. after all. / never knew
one yet that wasn't in q hurry 10 get
hItched up. however much she pretend
ed to dislike H."
The opening Of the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
Il was quite clear that she had beer a
spectator OF the scene. With a stran-
gled cry Molly broke from Bowers
grasp and ran into her room. She
dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind IL, sobbing with terror
and anger The factor leaned against
the counter, a look OF dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
"well, guess you caught me this
time. Mrs. Bostock." he said. But, be-
ing a woman. yo=1l understand"
Kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. She made the slightest gesture
OF her head to him and went out Of the
store. Bowyer followed her.
"what does II mean?" asked Kitty.
cit means that want Molly Melon
aid, and I've never wanted any man or
woman yet that l didn't get" said
Bower. MAKE the most of IL" he
clustered. 1--WE as much right as Car
ruthers, haven't II"
"No." said Kitty.
"Why haven't II"
"Afr. Carruthers was first. They are
engaged"
"what's to stop her breaking it?'
As his agitation subsidized, Bowyer,
keen Judge. noticed that Kitty's poise
was unnatural; she seemed laboring
under some suppressed emotion. He
looked quickly into her eyes and saw
that she had been crying. And then he