Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-11-14
E1sNAr~~~~~Hr~~~vs~~tr~~
) Only One
s Charles ~ Love {
y CSARVICE
s


Stephen made a gesture with his
hand.
"And it would, if another man were
in my place, rob you of your sweet.
heart; but it shall not. am determined
to prove to you, my dear Jack, that my
desire to be a friend is sincere and
true. Let me think. There may be
some loophole in your pride which
can creep in at
Jack went lack to his seat and lit
another cigar, and Stephen appeared
lost in thought, but in reality he
watched through his fingers, and
gioated over the despair and trouble
depicted on Jacks miserable counter
ance.
Eyes, I have it. Come, Jack, you
won't refuse assistance when it comes
from the hand of her Majesty? You
won't object to a government appoint
ment?'
"a government appointment" said
Jack, vaguely.
Stephen nodded.
eyes," he went on. "By singular
chance I have acquired some influence
with the present government. One
Of these men has a seat in Wealdshire,
which really hangs on the Hurst in
f1uence The squire never interfered,
but | could do SO; and-you see, my
dear Jack-a snug little sinecure, say
of thousand a year! 1t is not much,
it is true; but Una has not been &C
customed to wealth so long as to feel
thousand a year to be poverty
Jack rose and paced the room. Was
he dreaming, or was this different
Stephen to the one he knew and dis
liked? He had heard of sudden
wealth as suddenly transforming the
nature of a man. Had Stephens
nature undergone this marvellous
change?
He doubted and mistrusted him, but
here was the absolute evidence. What
could Stephen gain by this generosity
Nothing absolutely nothing. 1t was
strange, passing strange; but who was
Re that he should refuse to believe in
the generosity was exerted on his be
half?
Struggling against his suspicion
and prjudice, Jack strobe round the
table and held out his hand
stephen, II have wronged you
on must be good fellow to behave in
this way, and well, l have been a
brute, and don't deserve this on your
part"
Stephen WINGED under the hard grip
of the warm, honest hand.
mot word more, my dear Jack;
not a word more,'' he exclaimed "This
this is really very affecting. You
move me very much
And he pressed his spotless handker'
chief to his eyes.
Jacks ardor cooled at once, and the
old disgust and suspicion rose; but he
choked them down again, and sat
down.
mot word more" said Stephen,
with a gulp, as if he were swallowing
a flood of tears. 81 have long, long
felt your GOODNESS and distrust my dear
Jack, but vowed to live it down, and
prove to you that you have wronged
me. Believe me that my good fortune
my unexpected fortune-was quite
lilbittered to me by the thought that
you would misjudge me-"
Jack pulled at his cigar grimly.
Stephen was On the wrong track, and
he saw it, and fastened to change it.
"But now, my dear Jack, we shall
understand each other. You will be-
lieve me that T have your welfare
deeply at heart Who else have | to
think of-except my mother, my dear
mother? And we may conclude that
our little negotiation as sutton and
guardian is ended Eth, Jack? You
SHALL have the appointment and Una
lucky fellow that you are-and I shall
be rewarded by seeing you happy"
Jack nodded. The mention OF Una
had filled him with gratitude. He
could not forget that he owed her In
two ways to Stephen.
"You are good fellow, Stephen" ne
said, "and you deserve your luck. After
ALL you'll make a better master OF
Hurst than I should. You'll take care
of it."
Stephen sighed. He was going to
gloat again.
'T don't know I wish to do my
duty 1t is an immense sum OF money
Jack; immense"
Jack nodded again.
I'm glad of it," he said, easily. Il
don't envy you. I did once and not
very long ago. But rank Una above
the Hurst even and if I have her, you
ere welcome to the Hurst.
! Stephen WINGED, and looked at him
from the corners of his eyes. was
there any significance in the speech:
But Jacks face was open and frank
as usual
That's a bargain" said Stephen
laughing.
| Jack thought a moment.
"But what about Mr.. Rolfe?" he SAID
dutiOuC1v