Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-29

when will you be back, Stephen" sh,
asked, pitiably. 'I-l--you won't b.
long, stephen? | shall miss her so"
Stephen patted her on the shoulder
Don't be afraid, mother. We shall
not be away too long. | am too prouC
OF my beautiful bride to hide her
away. / want to see her here, mistress
of the Hurst My wife. my wife,
Hush, here she comes. DO lot up
set her"
And, with quick, noiseless step, he
went out as Una entered.
Framed in the doorway, she stood
for a moment like picture. Paler
and slighter than in the old days, she
had lost none Of her beauty. Stephen
had cause to be proud Of his bride
There would be no loyelier woman in
Wealdshire than the future mistress
Of The Hurst. And yet, II Jack could
have seen her that moment, what
agony her face would have cost him
for his eyes, quickened by his pas.
5onate love, would have read and
fallen on the beautiful face; would
have read the settled melancholy
which sat enthroned on the dark eyes,
and gave them the dreamy, far-away
look which never left them for mo
ment.
"Communing with the past, she walk.
ed
"Alivc, yet dead to all the world"
Slowly she crossed the room, and
STOOD just where Stephen had stood
and looked into the fire; but not as he
had looked-triumphantly, joyfully;
but with an absent dreamy air.
Mrs, Davenant put out her hand, and
touched her arm.
"Una!"
She turned her head and looked at
her questionngly with a weary unin
tercstcd gaze.
Una, he-Stcphen has told me Oh,
my darling, hope YOU will be happy
Una smiIcd-a cold mechanical
mile.
Happy? Yes, he says ! shall bel
happy. DO you think" and she looked
calmly at the anxious, nervous face,
do you think shall be happy?"
Mrs. Daveuant drew her toward her
my dear, you Brighten me. You
YOU are 500 strange and cold. Cold
Your hands are like ice. Oh, Una, dol
YOU know what 1t meanS-ths that yOu
are going to do? 1t Is not too rate
Think, Una. You know how l0veI
you, dear, That would give all theI
world to call you-what You are, my
heart of hearts-my own daughter
But, OH Una If You think, If you areI
not quite sure that YOU will be hap
Ply
Una looked straight at the fire.
He says Sc" she said, in the same
hard. cold voice; "he is clever and
wise He is your son; why do YOU dcabt
hm?"
Mrs. DaVonant shiyored,
Ill don't doubt him. dear Yes, heI
is my son; ne has been a good son to
me. But you are to he his wife; (
think
81 have thought said Una, quietly,
ut will make him happy-he says so;
and the rest does not matter TO me |
Yes, have thought; ! am tired with
and she put her hand to
her brow with a sharp gesture, half
wild. half weary Il will make him
happy, and shall always be with YOU,
whom | love. What does the rest
Mrs. Davenant uttered little moan
And and have YOU quite forgot
ten?"
Una looked at her calmly, but with
faint shadow in her eyes and touch
Of pain on her lips,
Forgotten, No, | shall not forget
until am dead; perhaps not then;
who knows" and the dreamy look
came back. But that cannot matter.
He, stephen, is content; | have told
him all, and he is content He Is
easily satisfied" And for the first
time smile of bitterness crossed her
lip why should he love me SOP
She said, curtly. Why should he
be 50 anxious TO make me his Wife?