Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-10
Continued.

with the world and hid himself-there
Is no other word for II. But IL Is
one thing to hide yourself and quite
another to bury your children. MY
friend Rolfe felt this when he awoke
TO the fact that his daughter had grown
from a child to young woman, and
Ike a sensible man he applied to one
who was conversant with the world,
and one In whom he could have, ]
trust, full confidence myself"
Jack sat sIleltly regarding the white,
calm. face with grim, obseryant eyes.
HE did not appeal to an old friend.
ship in vain. undertook the charge
Of Miss RoIfe on one condition. | may
say two--ole on her side, one on mine,
Hers was that she should live with my
mother, under her protecting wing, aa
It were; mine was that ! should be the
absolute guardian Of the young girl
committed to my charge"
Jack stared.
"You are Unas guardian" he said,
at last, with unconcealed surprise, as
Gideon Rolfe's curse upOa the race on
Davenants flashed upon his memory
Stephen Davcnant smiled
you are surprised my dear Jack
But think It Ia very natural I'm
less ! had unduestlonable control over
the young lady. how could ! answer for
her safety? How guard her against the
attacs of fortune hunters
Jack started.
Fortune hunters!" he exclaimed.
DO you mean to say that Una Is an
heiress?"
Stephens face had flushed and turn.
ed deadly pale
lie had actually Lcen thinking OF
Una Davenant while he had been talk
INK OF Una Rolfe,
"YOu did not hear me out, my dear
Jack" he said, softly. recovering his
composure instantly. II was going to
say against the attack Of fortune
hunters who might besiege her under
the Impression that, as my ward, she
would be possessed Of wealth, intoad of
being, as you know, absolutely PENN
less"
Jack nodded.
not 80 deceived
my dear jack! exclaimed stephen,
reproachfully, edo YOU suppose that
do not know that, You who are the
soul of honor and Observation-Disclosures
are not likely to be mistaken for n
fortune hunter by anyone, least Of all
Ly me, who know and love you so
woll!"
Jack WINGED ns the vision of Lady
Bell rose before his eyes.
Go on" he said lmpationtly.
well my dear jack said stephen
with smile, and rubbing his hands
softly, SIS It not rather for you to 30
on? am Una's guardian, you are her
lover"
Il see" said Jack, rising and pacing
up aud down tho room. you want me
to ask your consent formally Well,
| do SO.
stephen laughed AS II at an excellent
Joke.
what grim, thoroughg going old
bulldog you are. my dear jack" he
exclaimed affectlonately. You ask my
consent, as Il you did not know that
you have It, and my best, my very
hoarliest wishes into the bargain. But,
Jack, don't YOU soc why ] am so
pleased why this makes me SO hap.
py2 1t is because now you will be com.
PEELED to do me tho favor of taking n
share Of the poor sQulre's money!
Jack started as II he had been stuns
you see my dear fellow! you can't
marry on nothing--now, can you? Lobe
must have cottage. nud-but beg
Your pardon, my dear follow | am
perhaps, going too far Much to my
grief aad regret you have never con-
fided in me as should have wished
aud perhaps i hope that It may be SO
you have some means"
Jack paced up and down tho per
spration standing on his knitted brow,
In the ecstatc Joy which had fallen
upoa him like glamour during those
few short hours with Una, he had nb.
somtely forgotten that he was penni-
less, and in debt and without pros.
pect in the wide world.
him; every softlyspohcn word of
Stephens fell upon him like drop in
an icy shower hath aud awoke him
FROM his dream to the stern reality,
What was he to do? Great Heaven,
was he actually driven TO accept
Stephens charity?
A shuddcr ran through him. q pang
Of worse than wounded pride.
Become pensioner Of Stephen
nayenants No, II was simply I'M
possible White aud haggard with
the struggle that was going on with
in him, he turned upon the smiling
face
What YOU want what YOU propose
"a impossible" he said hoarsely !
cannot and will not do Il, | would
rather beg my hread-
stephen smiled II was a delicious