Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-09-26
CHAPTER XIX.


of the beautiful girl whom her son
Stephen had so strangely committed
to her charge; grew to understand and
to love her, and, bit by bit, her nerv-
BUSINESS and timidity wore off in Una's
presence. Insensibly she grew to lean
and rely on the girl, who, with all her
innocence and ignorance of the world,
was so gently calm and self-possessed,
and Una, in return, lavished her love
upon the timid, shrinking woman.
Mrs. Davenant had heard no word
from Stephen; she was accustomed
to such silence, and almost dreaded to
hear, lest it should be message tear
ing Una from her side. She did not
know that Stephen was master of
Hurst Leigh and all the immense
wealth of Ralph Davenant.
Una did not know that Jack New
combe was back here in London, al
most within half an hour of her. When
she thought of her father and mother
there in Warden, it was always with
the confident trust that they were well,
for she felt that if it were otherwise,
Gideon would somehow let her know.
She was quite ignorant that the cot
tage was empty and deserted.
Indeed, there was not much time for
thought. Day after day brought its
succession of wonderful sights and
experiences, as the little green broug-
ham bore them about town, and Mrs.
Davenant showed her all the marvels
of the great city.
Una was dazzled, bewildered some
times but her instructive good taste
helped her to keep back all extrava-
CANT expressions Of surprise on her
voyage through Fairyland.
One day, however, an exclamation
of delight escaped her, as she came in
sight of a jewelers. window, opposite
which the brougham had stopped.
To her who had only read of pre-
cious stones, and regarded them as OBJ
jects almost fabulous, the window
looked as if it contained the wealth
of the Indies and of Aladdin's palace
combined.
They entered and Mrs Davenant
asked to see some ladies' watches,
selected one and a handsome albert,
and, with a smile, arranged them at
Una's waist, in which, to her equal
amazement, she found pocket al
ready provided
Pale with emotion, she could not
utter word, and to hide the tears
that sprang into her eyes, turned aside
to look at case containing a magnifi-
cent set of brilliants. The jeweler
politely unlocked the case, and placed
the bracelet in her hand.
"a really magnificent set. 1t is
sold They were purchased by Lady
Isabel Earlsley.''
Lady Earlsley," said Mrs. Davenant.
"Ah, yes; she is fond of diamonds, is
she not?''~
Eyes. and of other precious stones,
too, madam. She has excellent taste
and discrimination. Perhaps you have
seen her set of sapphires?"
NO. said Mrs. Davenant, in her
quiet way, 81 have met Lady Earlsley,
but l have not seen them
The jeweler opened an iron safe, and
took out case containing superb,
a unique set of sapphires, and handed
them to her.
This is it have it to alter. They
are the purest in the world-finer even
than her ladyship's rubies, which are
considered, but wrongly, matchless."
Una stared open-eyed, and the jewel
er, pleased by her enthusiasm and ad-
miration, took the set from it's case
and laid it in her hands.
AS Una was bending over them fas-
cinated, handsome carriage drew up,
and the shop door was opened by a
footman in rich livery.
Una looked up, and saw beautiful
girl who, pausing in the doorway,
stood regarding her.
The eyes of the two girls met, Una's
with an instant frank admiration in
her calm depths-a curious, half
amazed, hut also admiring stare in the
bright, dark eyes of the other.
The jeweler glanced from the new
conner to the gems in Una's lap, and
changed color. Mrs Davenant start
ed nervously, and turned pale.
With a quick, bird-like, but
thoroughly graceful movement, the
richly-dressed lady turned, and with a
smile of recognition, bowed.
Mrs. - she said, and hesitated.
"Davenant,' said Mrs. Davenant.
"How do you do, Lady Earlsley?"
Lady Isabel Earlsley, the great
heiress and queen of fashion, held out
her hand in her quick, impulsive way,
but turned her quick glance on Una,
whose eyes had never left the dark,
bewitching face.
'sYour daughter, Mrs. Davenant?"
Poor Mrs Davenant trembled with
nervous agitation.
'No-no-a young friend, Miss
RoIfe," she answered, TREMENDOUSLY.
Lady Bell went straight up to Una
and held out her hand, her eyes fixed