Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-29
Observation-Disclosures
! Only One !
; CHARLES ~ Love s
CARVICE
..s--~af-s-~1r.s-~1r~E

! making the warm room seem like
harbor of refuge. Beside the fire sa
, Mrs. Dayenant, half doing over {
J piece Of finest needlework for the vii
, age working club. She Wad alone II
! the room, and every now and ther
glanced anxiously toward the door
Presently 1t opened, ard the tall figure
OF Stephen entered and crossed over
10 Ler.
Mother" he said. and u.cre was q
Itjcmulous ring in bis voice and n quiv
or in his lips that were in marked
contrast to his usual smooth calm.
Mrs Davenant looked up with a
glance Of alarm. una" she eX
claimed
Hush" he said. laying his hand on
her shoulder. Una" and his voice
dwelt on the name. una Is asleep
She has gone to her own room for a
little while. Mother" he said, slowly
she hos consented"
Mrs. BaYenant looked UP and trem-
bled: "Oh, Stephen"
He nodded, and stood bC"Crc the fire,
| looking mp with a smhc of undis-
ralsed triumph and joy. yes, she
| has consented. 1t was well, hard
work. but my love oYernlastered her.
! | told her that you agreed with me
that the sooner the marriage took
! place the better. You do, do you
no?"
Yes" murmured Mrs. Davenant.
She wants change. nothing but
entire change Of HE and thought will
do her good Mother. # she remain.
cd here, If something were not done
she wolld"-he paused, and went on
IAoarsely, she Woald die"
Mrs Davcnn,t shudder-d and her
eyes filled, "My poor roor Una"
she mltrmured
stephen owed impatiently. "She
viii not need your pity, mother. A few
weeks hence and YOU will have no rea-
son to pity her I'll stake my life that
BRING her TACK here with the roses
~ her checks, with the smile in her
eyes, as of old. Mother, you do not
know what such love as mine can dol"
md his voice trtmblou with suppressed
rHSS on.
Mrs. Dayonant looked up at him.
tearfully.
"You-you are much changed,
stephen" she murmured.
II am" he said, with curt laugh.
II am changed am not? scarcely
l.n An oil, "a
My beautiful queen. my lily! Yes, she
shall be happy If man can make her"
He was silent n moment, dwelling on
his love and future, and looked, as he
spoke, much changed Then he awoke
ut question from his mother
when Is IT to be, stephen"
Tomorrow" he said, quietly.
Tomorrow gaspcd Mrs, Daven,
ant "lmpossible,"
mot mt ALL he said curly. Re
member. | told You not to be surprised,
that 1t would come suddenly"
hut"
He made a mOyemnt Of Impotence"
do You think have not made prep
arations? See" and he took paper
from his pocket, II have had the IL
cense for Il week past. II Is no ordi.
nary marriage We want no brides
maid and wedding ravors She would
not have them-or me, IL YOU insisted
upon IT, II Is principally on the con-
dition that he ceremony shall be
quite privatc-secret almost that she
has consented"
Mrs, Dayenant stared at the fire,
stephen smiled.
You do not understand me. even
yet, mother" he said. Did YOU ever
know anything fail me?"
Mrs. DaNcnant shuddercd. or was 1t
the play of the nrolight?
Never" she said. In low voice.
stephen smiled again.
II have seen tais coming, have seen
my way to II for months past; have
swept every barrier away" He
stopped suddenly and bit his lip and
now for our plans, mother, Try and
collect Yourself this has surprised and
upset YOU" he said. sharply,
MIS-. llaNcnAni SIT up anu looked nj
him attentivoly,
Tomorrow We start, without fuss or
bother for Clumley. have ordered
them to take pair of horses to the
halfway house, SO that we can change
without loss of time have also sent
4 letter to the clergyman telling him
TO be prepared for us, and keep his
1 own counsel We shall roach Clum
Y ley, travelling easily by half.past ten
i There will be no wedding breakfast
thank Heaven no fuss or ceremony
We shall 20 straight from the church
| to London, and thence To Paris. EX
&. ccpting ourselves and clergyman ne
one can know anything of the matter
. until the marriage Is over, then
} and he drew long breath and smiled
Mrs Davenant, pale and trembling
, stared up at him.
"And-and Una? Does she agree t
!. all this?"