Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-09-05
CHAPTER XIV.

heart against the old man whose IA
vorite he had once been-for the mo-
ment there was scarcely any anger
in his heart against the old man whose
favorite he had once been-for the
moment there was scarcely any anger
against Stephen; surprise and be-
wilderment overwhelmed every other
feeling.
He had not expected a large sum OF
money-had certainly not ex-
large sum of money-had certainly not
pected the Hurst; and but for the
words spoken by the dying man, he
would not have expected anything at
all, after having offended him in the
matter of the money-lenders and the
post-obit. But most assuredly the
squire had intimated that there would
be something however
small
And now he was told that there
was nothing, that his name was not
even mentioned.
Apart from any mercenary consider
alton, Jack was cut up and disappOint-
ed; if there had been simple mourn
ing ring, a few of the old guns out of
the armory-anything as token Of
the old mans forgiveness, he would
hove been satisfied; but nothing, not
1e word.
Then, again, he could not under
stand it, near his end as he was when
he spoke to him. The squire was as
sane and clear-headed as he had been
at an time of his life, or at least so it
seemed to Jack; and he certainly had
given him to understand that he had
left him some portion of his immense
wealth.
1t was another link in the chain of
mysteries which had seemed to coil
arrNnd Jack since he started from Lon
de-.
Slowly and thoughtfully he made his
way back to the "Bush," and began to
packup the small portmanteau which
had been sent from town.
Hurst Leigh was no place for him;
every minute he remained in it seemed
intolerable to him. He would go
straight back to town by the next
train.
he paused in his task of packing the
portmanteau, an operation which he
reduced to it's simplest by thrusting in
anything that came first and jamming
it down tight with his fist; he stopped
and looked up with a red flush on his
handsome face. Why shouldn't he go
to Warden Forest on his way back?
In a moment, the idea thrilled him
with the delight of anticipation, the
next, a shade came over his brow. Why
shouldn't he? Rather, why should he?
What was the use of his going? If
he had no business there before, he
had less excuse now. He was next
door to beggar-and-
Realizing for the first time the blow
that had been dealt him by the squires
neglect, he continued at the jamming
process, jumped and kicked at the
portmanteau till it consented to be
locked and then went down to the bar
and called for his bill
There were several people hanging
about-a funeral is a good excuse for
a holiday in country village-but
Jack, in his abstraction, scarcely
noticed the little group of men who
sat and stood about, and merely nod
ded in response to the respectful and
kindly greetings.
But, Mr.. jack" said Jobson, with a
deeply respectful air Of surprise, ''you
don't think of going right away at
once, sir?"
eyes, I'm off, Jobson," said Jack.
whats the next train?"
'To London?" said dry, thin voice
behind him; and Jack turned and saw
Mr.. Hudsley's clerk-old Skettle.
There's no train to London till seven
o'clock; there's train to Arkdale in
an hour, but it stops there"
Cali right" he said, ''Ill go to Ark
dale; and, by the way, Jobson, I don't
want to be bothered with the port
manteau; send it on by rail to my aid
dress-Spider Court, the Temple,
you know"
Jobson touched his cap, and while
he was making out the bill Jack lit his
pipe and paced up and down, his hands
in his pockets, the knot of men watch
ing him out of the corners of their
eyes Win SympdIHeClC CURIOSITY.
Jack paid the bill-so moderate
one that he capped it with half a
sovereign over; and with "good-day"
all round, started off. He had not got
further THAI the sign post, when he
felt a touch on his arm, and, turning,
saw that old Skettle had followed him.
"Halloa," said Jack, in his blunt way,
whats the matter?'
The old man looked up at him from
under his wrinkled lids, and fumb1ed
at his mouth in cautious sort Of a
way.
''Tm very sorry things have gone
on so crooked up at the Hurst, Master
jack" he said, respectfully.
ssRnt NOT more sorry than 7 am