Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-08

suspicion.
We'll" he said contemptuously,
so it's you! Are you out of your
mind?' and he flung the match away
and allowed Stephen to rise.
Trembling and struggling for COM
posure. Stephen brushed the dust from
his black coat and stood rubbing his
chest, for Jack blow had been
straight from the shoulder.
What have you got to say for your
self" said Jack, sternly. 81 asked
you If you had gone mad. What are
you doing here with candle, and be-
having like a lunatic?" 4,
Stephen made a mighty effort for
composure, and a CHASTITY smile strug-
gled to his face.
my dear Jack, how you startled
met" he gasped. Il was never so
frightened in my-my life!"
$50 it appeared" said Jack, with
strong disgust in his voice. "Pick up
the candle-there IL is"
And he pointed with his foot. But
stephen was by no means anxious for
light.
Never mind the candle" he said.
"You are quite right must have
seemed out of my mind. IL am very
much upset, my dear Jack"
"Are you hurt?" inquired Jack, but
with no great show of concern.
mo. moi" gasped Stephen; don't
distress yourself, my dear Jack-don't,
p
ly. The-the fact is that ="
He paused, for Jack had got the
candle, lit it, and held it up so that the
light fell upon Stephens face.
Now" he said, his tone plainly in
timating that ne would prefer to see
Stephens face while he made his ex-
PLANTATION.
"The fact is" Stephen began again,
II have had the misfortune to lose a
pocketbook-no, not a pocketbook,
that is scarcely correct, but a paper
which l fancied I had put in my
pocketbook, and which must have drop
ped out. lit was a draft of little
legal document which my lawyer had
sent me-of no value, utterly value
less-oh, quite"
so l should Judge from the calm
way in which you accused the first
man you met of stealing it." said Jack
with quiet scorn.
Stephen bit his lip, and glance of
hate and suspicion shot from under his
eyelids.
pray forgive me, my dear Jack" he
said, pressing his hand to his brow. and
signing. eff you had sat up for so
many nights, and we're Sc worn and
overweight, you would have some
sympathy with my overstrained nerves.
am much shaken tonight, my dear
Jack-very much shaken"
And indeed he was, for the Savage's
fist was by no means a soft one.
Jack looked at him in silence for a
moment. then held the candle toward
him.
"You had better go to the house and
get some of the servants to help you
look for the paper" he said. Good
night"
ooh. it is of no consequence" said
Stephen, eagerly. Don't go-stop a
moment, my dear Jack. IL will walk
with you as far as the inn"
mo. thanks" said Jack, CURLY;
then, as a suspicious look cleaned
in Stephens eyes, he added: "Oh, I
seel you are afraid should pick it up
in the road. You had better Gomez
Stephen smiled, and laid his hand
on Jacks arm.
"You-you are not playing joke
with me, my dear Jack? You haven't
got the-document in your pocket all
the timer"
"1f l said that hadn't you wouldn't
believe me. you know" he replied.
There take your hand off my coat!'
stop! stop!" exclaimed Stephen,
with a ghostly attempt at a laugh.
Don't so, my dear Jack; stop at the
house tonight I should feel very
much Obliged, indeed. if you would. I
am so upset tonight that IL want
company. Let me beg of you 10 stop"
And in his dread lest Jack should
escape out of sight, he held on to his
arm.
Jack shook him with so emphatic a
movement of disgust that Stephen was
in imminent danger of making a
further acquaintance with the lawn.
60 indoors" he said sternly, "and
leave me alone. I'd rather not sleep
under the same roof with you. AS for
your lost paper, whatever it may be,
you had better look for it in the morn
/ ing. unless you want to get into further
trouble" and he turned on his heel
and disappeared
Stephen waited until he had got at a
safe distance, and, blowing out the
candle. following down the road with
stealthy footsteps, keeping a close
watch on the rapidly-striding figure,
and examining the road at the same
time. But all to no purpose; Jack
reached and entered the inn without
stopping. and neither going nor return