Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-09-12

I've seen the most beautiful creature
in existence, and if I'm not in love
with her"
Il should say you were" said Leon,
ard, gently.
eyes. | am. know it when |
found that COMPOUNDED cottage empty.
But what am to do? | haven't the
faintest clew to her whereabouts. The
old gentleman with the Ratchet may
have murdered his whole famiiy-her
included-or emigrated to Australia"
at is very strange. Didn't you
notice any sign of a move about the
place the first you were there?'
"|No, none Everything looked as If
it had been going on for a hundred
housekeeping Una-and meant to
so on for another hundred. Len, I'm
afraid we've been bewitched. Perhaps
it's all a dream; I haven't been down
to Hurst and you haven't been down to
Wermsley. We shall wake up direct
ly-oh, no! The poor squire! Len,
bits ali true, and were a couple OF
.young. fools!" .s ek a-sa.
''Speak for yourself, old fellow.
have been a fool until three days ago,
now. I am as wise as Solomon, for
have learned what love is
$50 have IL have also learned the
vanity Of human wishes, and the next
thing / shall have to learn will be
some way of earning a livelihood. I
should prefer an honest one, but
poor men can't afford to be particular,
and honesty doesn't seem to pay now
a-days l feel so hard up and reckless
that 1 could become a bank director or
a member of parliament without feel
ing a pang of conscience"
Leonard looked up at him, for the
vein of bitterness was plainly to be de
tected running through Jacks banter;
and Leonard knew that when jack
was bitter-w1lich was but once in a
year, say-he was reckless
Eve must talk it over. Sit down
get off that table; you're making a
perfect hash of my papers-and let's
talk it over. You won't go out to-
night"
Eyes, / shall. I shall go down to the
club" @&e
mo, no, keep away from the club
tonight, jack
what are you afraid of? Do you
think I shall want to. gamble? I've
no money to lose"
That's the very reason you'll want
to play. Do keep at home tonight.
''I couldn't do it, old man." he said
oil IF
sat here much longer, I should get UP
suddenly, murder you, and sack the
place. The Savage has got his paint
on, and is on the trail"
Don't be a fool, Jack. You are
hot and upset. Keep away from the
club tonight. Well, well-let the
ecarte alone, at any rate"
''All right I'll promise you that.
won't touch card tonight. Ecarte!
l couldn't play beggar-my-neighbor to-
night! Len, wish you were bigger
man; I'd get up row, and have a
turnto with you. Sit down here! l
couldn't do it. I want to be doing
mething-something desperate. You
can sit here and ream over your COM
plant; / can't-I should go mad!
Don't sit up for me"
Leonard looked after him as he dis
appeared into one of the two bedrooms
which adjoined the common sitting
room, and, with shake of his head,
muttered, "Poor Jack" and returned
to his work.
Jack took a cold bath, dressed him.
self, and merely pausing to shout a
goodnight, as he passed down the
stairs, went into the street, and jump
ed into a hanson, telling the man to
drive to the Hawkes. Club.
1t was rather early for the Hawks"
and only few of them had f1uttered
3 in. 1t was about the last club that
such a man as Jack should have been
a member of. 1t was fast, it was ex-
pensive, it was fashionable, and the
chief reason for its existence lay in the
fact-that playsat any time, and to any
extent, could be obtained there.
When Jack entered the cardroom,
that apartment was almost empty,
but the suspicious-looking tables were
surrounded by chairs stuck up on two
legs, denoting that they were engaged,
and those men who were present were
all playing. sRa