Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-24


Stephen stood motioulesS. his eyes
cast down; he was afraid to raise them
lest the passion blazing in them should
be read by all there.
Thanks | cannot catch cold now"
he said as he took her hand and held
il for moment
He put them into the brougham. and
under the pretext of arranging her
shawl, touched her hand once again;
then he stood in the chilly street and
watched the brougham till it disap.
peared in the distance
Then he turned and walked home
ward.
One step in the right direction" he
muttered. Take care, Master Jack;
shalt outwit you yet"
As he assembled the stairs of his
chambers, Summers came out to meet
him.
There is a--person waiting for you,
Mr.. stephen" he said.
stephen stopped, and his hand closed
on The balustrade; his thoughts flew
to Laura Treherne.
"A-woman, Slummers?"
mo. sir, man" said Summers.
Very good" said stephen, with a
breath of relief who is lido you
know"
Summers shook his head.
"A rough sort of man, sir; says ne
has come on business. He has been
waiting for hours"
Il am very sorry" said stephen,
aloud and blandly, for the benefit OF the
visitor, Il am sorry to have kept
anyone waiting. But il is rather
late"
He entered the room as he spoke,
and started slightly. for standing in
the center of the apartment was
Gideon Rolfc.
Notwithstanding the start stephen
came forward with outstretched hand
and II ready smile of welcome
My dear Mr.. Rolfe | am indeed
sorry that Won should have been kept
so long If had only lnowh that you
were coming
Gideon RolGc waived all further com.
pliment aside With gesture of i'm
paticlce.
Il wished to see YOU he said.
Time is no object to mo.
stephen shut the door carefully and
stood in listening attitude He knew
il was of no use to ask his visitor
TO sit down.
"You have come 10 inquire about
your daughter"
mo, | have not said Gideon Rolfc.
calmly. II klow that she is we'll
see her daily. | came to remind Won
OF our contract came to remind you
Of your promise that no harm should
come near her
stephen smiled and shook his head.
And | trust no harm has come near
her, my dear Mr. Rolfe'
But say that II has" said Gideon
Rolfe, coldly 4 have watched her
daily and | know"
To what harm do YOU alludeo'
asked stephen hraycly.
DO You deny that the young man
Jack Newcombe is near herr"
Oh said stephen, and he drew Il
long breath
Then he commenced untying the
scarf, his acute brain hard at work.
Here was an instrument ready to-
his hand. if he chose to use il properly
oh. | understand. No, do not
. Iany II | utiah = II,
your sake and for Una's; he said
grayely.
Speak plainly" said Gideon Rolrc.
hoarsely.
Il Will" said Stephen. Panty thcn.
Mr.. Newcombe has chosen to fall IN
love with-your daughter That ac-
counts for his constant attendance
lpol her"
Gideon Rolfes face worked
Il viii take her back" he said, grim
ly.
stephen smiled
Softly softly There are two to
that bargain, my dear Mr. Rolfe. For
Miss Una to 20 back to state Of
sayagery in Warden Forest is impoa
sible You, who have seen her in her
new surroundings, ana the change
they have wrought In her. must admit
that.
Gideon Rolfe wiped the Precipitation
from his brow
J know that She is changed. h.
said She is like a great lady now
see her dressed in rich silks and
satias. and coming and going in car
riages. with servants TO walt upon
her and / know that she il changed
and that she has forgotten the friends
Of her childhood forgotten those who
were father and mother to her
You wrong Miss Una" said
Stephen, smoothIy Not day passes
but she inquiries for you and deployes
your absence"
But went on Gideon as II he had
not been interrupted, = have not for.
gotten her. nor my promise to her