Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-10-10
CHAPTER XIII.

Jack walked leisurely enough
through the fernery looking this way
and that in search of the phantom
girl; but once clear of the ballroom, he
hurried through the ante-rooms and
down the staircase-utterly ignoring
the adieus which were sent after him
by the crowd on the stairs-and
reached the hall
The carriages were already taking
up, and without ceremony he pushed
through the footmen into the open air.
elias a carriage left just now-fve
minutes ago?" he asked.
1.-TWO or three, SIR" said the foot
man, and, too busy to answer any
further questions, he dashed off.
Jack waited just outside the stream
of light for nearly an hour his coat col
lar turned up, his hands thrust in his
pockets. But though many beautiful
face passed him and was driven away,
Unas lovely face was not amongst
them.
81 must have fallen asleep and been
dreaming" he muttered. How could
she possibly have been there?"
Then he called a hanson, and was
driven to the club.
His blood was on fire, his brain was
in a whirl; two faces-Unas and Lady
Bell's-seemed to dance before his
eyes. Do something he must to get
rid Of them, or they would drive him
mad.
There was only one thing to do
play. Before the morning he had lost
every penny of his twenty-one pounds
six and fourpence, and a couple of
hundred besides.
y 4
Chance had favored Una in her
escape; no sooner had she reached the
ants carriage announced. To get her
shawl and make her way down the
staircase was the work of a few mo-
ments, and the brougham was rolling
away toward Wilmington Square be-
fore Jack had got down to the hall
well, my DEAR said Mrs. Daven-
ant, "have you enjoyed yourself? You
look pale and tired
81 am rather tired" she said, in a
low voice, cit was all so new and
strange"
"And was Lady Bell kind?'
Very kind" answered Una, with a
sigh. How beautiful she ISL
"Yes,' said Mrs. Davenant, 'she is a
very fortunate girl Youth and beauty
and wealth, she has much to make her
happy Tell me whom you saw, my
DEAR
Una flushed and trembled She went
over the names of some of the great
people, but she said nothing of Jack.
She could not bring her trembling
lips to frame his name.
"All the best people in town." said
Mrs. Davenant, with a smile. "You
will be a fashionable young lady be-
fore long, Una"
ooh, no, no." breathed Una, with a
sudden pallor perhaps I shall never
go again.
Mrs. Davenant looked at her curl
ously, and re1apsed into silence until
they reached home.
Then, as they entered the drawing
room, she said, with little nervous
smile
ST have heard from my son Stephen,
Una"
''From your SOM"
Yes said Mrs. Davenant ''It is
t. Lo, rio
His uncle, Squire Davenant, has left
him everything he possessed
Una started and turned pale. Then
Jack had been left nothing! That was
why he had looked so grave and
troubled.
"Everything?" she asked
Everything" said Mrs. Davenant
with a sigh "the Hurst and the es
tate, and all the money, and he is very
rich-very rich indeed"
Una looked before her dreamily. She
could not say, 81 am very glad Mrs
Davenant waited a moment.
"There is a message for you, my
DEAR" she said timidly, lingering the
letter
For me-" said Una, looking up with
a start.
eyes; Stephen is SO thoughtful! He
never forgets others even in the midst
of his great prosperity. He sends his
kind regards, and trusts that you dc
not miss Warden, and that you will
not find our quiet life too dull. He
| little thinks how we have plunged into
eayety already. He would be sur
prised if he knew it,"
Indeed Stephen would, with a ven
geance!
'It is very kind Of him. said Una
in low voice.
Mrs. Davenant sighed.
'He is always kind and thoughtful
He tells me that he will not be able
to come home just yet awhile. L
seems that there is a great deal tt
see to. The estate was greatly neg
lected, and there's some business to be
-