Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-12-02

a Wry lace, would d016r MS IIIp "
town on business a trifie longer.
The whole aspect of life at Rood
Abbey was completely changed. The
captain seemed to monOpOllze all au-
thority, and Lady Laura took the
greatest possible pride in cOnfiding
everything to him. He was in every
sense of the word master Of the house,
and never was master more abso-
lutte. He did nothing which could in
any way jar upon the servants; but he
| let them plainly see that neither old
customs old habits, nor anything
else mattered to him; he intended to
be obeyed. It was he who suggested
that Miss Jameson should remain
with them for a time, to palliate what
he called "the awkwardness' of a trio.
"Two are company, my angel" he
whispered to his f1attered wife, las
you well remember-think of Geneva
and Lucerne-but three, anu one of
them young lady very difficult to get
on with. are too many Let Miss
Jameson stay" And Lady Laura
consented gladly, for she persuaded
herself that he wanted a companion
for Angela. so that he might have her
more to himself
The presence of Miss Jameson had
been an immense relief to Angela.
She had dreaded the meals partaken
of with the captain and her mother;
she could never endure conversation
with him. Now, with Miss jameson
present, the conversation would be
more general and she need never
speak to him unless compelled. In
deed, the presence of Miss Jameson
simplified matters wonderfully. The
captain drove out with his wife, while
Angela preferred to walk with Miss
Jameson
After few days they had settled
down to their new mode of life, and
Angela confessed that it was not so
terrible as he had feared The pain
that her step-father's presence gave
her began to wear off, and, though she
felt that she could never like him,
she found that she was able to toler-
ate him. The first time she saw him
in her fathers place at the table a
pang of jealousy shot through her
heart The first time he flung himself
into her fathers favorite chair, and
announced the fact that it was SO very
comfortable that he intended to keep
it for his own particular use, her face
flushed, and words that would have
stung him trembled on her lips, but
she wisely restrained them. Inc first
time that the aroma of a cigar, borne
by the clear morning air, reached her
from the terrace, it brought her father
sc wildly to her mind that she cried
aloud with pain; but, after time, the
bitterness of these reminders wore
away.
1t was no longer home as it had
been She saw but little of her moth
er; the close companionship of many
years was at an end. But her lady
ship was kind to her, and, when not
absolutely engaged or engrossed with
her husband, spent her time with An
gela.
She did not see so much of the cap
tain as she had anticipated, for she
had her own suite Of rooms, and re
manned in them as much as possible.
so that the change was not so great
or so oppressive as she had expected.
The captain, who was quite unac-
customed to a quiet home life, by the
month of September felt weary of his
domestic bliss. He had suggested
dinner parties, balls even picnics, but
in vain. Lady Laura chung to him with
the same entreaty:
'Let me have you to myself for a
short time, Vance. When we begin
to give balls and parties, you will al
ways be engaged" that would
have been sweet enough if he had
loved his wife; but, as he did not, they
only annoyed him.
81 do not know which tires me the
most he said to himself-''a kiss from
my wife or scratch from my step
daughter
The harvest-mOOn was now shining
in full splendor, but the captain was
satiated with the beauties of the coun-
try.
81 shall not want to see it again for
years" he said with sigh. "I was
never meant for rural felicity"
sYet, as he said the words, there rose
before him a beautiful, passionate
/ face If he had been with her, the
quiet country would have he'd every
charm for him. But it was of no use
thinking Of that now
At length the captain, without con-
sulting his wife, announced ms inten-
; ton of giving a ball.
I'VE must have a little gayety.
Laura, darling" he said; I'VE are be-
coming quite melancholy. Besides, it
is cruel to hide that beautiful face Of
| yours from the world, and Angela
must be dull. Let us give a grand
ball, just to wake up the neighbor-
| hood"
IF you wish it" she consented; but
| he saw a shadow fall over the bright