Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-11-28

would be wiser, but jack has no lQ0a
Of prudence, and would plunge head
first into all the misery of such a union
without a thought of the morrow"
"And you-you think he loves her"
murmured Lady Bell; and she waited
for an answer as a man on his trial
might wait for the verdict of the jury.
Stephen smiled. He could read
Lady Bells heart as if it were an
open book.
Loves her! No, certainly not-not
yet He is amused and entertained
but love has not come yet"
"And she?" asked Lady Bell, anxi-
cusly, her eyes fixed on Una's face.
Stephen smiled again.
mo, not yet She is ignorant of the
meaning of the word. I have taken
some trouble to arrive at the truth,
and am sure of what I say. 1t is
well for her that she is not, for any
thing Ike a serious engagement would
be simply madness. Poor jack His
future lies SO plainly before him. and
if he would follow it, the rest of his
life might be happiness itself"
"You mean that he should marry for
money" said Lady Bell, coldly.
mo, not for money alone" MUIR
INJURED Stephen. "Jack is too high
minded to be guilty of such mean
ness; out is it not possible to marry
for love and money, too, Lady Bell?"
Lady Bell turned her head aside;
her heart beating fast. The voice of
the tempter sounded like music in her
ear. Why should not he marry fol
love as well as money? She had both.
She loved him passionately, and she
would pour her money at his feet to-
do as he liked with; to squander and
make duck and brakes of, if he would
but give her a little love in return.
AS she looked across the room at
him, that awful, wistful longing which
only a woman who loves with ali her
heart can feel, took possession of her
and mastered her.
why do you tell me this?" she
asked, sharply turning her face, pale
and working.
Because" murmured Stephen, 'Sbe-
cause l have Jacks interest so much at
heart that I am bod enough to ask
tor aid where I know it can be of
avail"
"Do you mean that you ask me:''
she said, TREMENDOUSLY. what can /
do?'
Much, everything" he whispered,
his head bent low, almost to her ear.
"A yourself, dear Lady Bell and
you will understand me. Let me be
plain and straightforward, even at the
risk of offending you. There was
time, not many months ago, when l
and his best friends thought Jack had
made a choice at once happy ana
WISE"
Lady Bell rose and moved to and fro,
and then sank down again trembling
with agitation.
"You mean that-that he was falling
in love with me?"
Stephen inclined his head with low
cred eyes.
''It is true," he said. "You cannot
fail to have seen what all observed"
And he went on quickly "And pu>
for this fancy-this passing fancy-all
would have been we'll. Lady Bell,
am speaking more openly than I ever
have spoken to woman before. am
risking offending you, but do SO from
the affection which I bear my cousin.
Lady Bell, implore you to help me in
saving him from step which will
plunge him into lifelong misery He
is totally untitled to battle with the
world; married wisely and well, he
would be a happy and contented man;
married unwiselJ and badly, no one
can picture the future
Lady Bell rose, her face pale, her
eyes cleaning under the strain which
she was enduring.
Don't say any. more" she said; Il
Il cannot bear it. You have guessed
my secret; I can. feel that. Yes, l
would save him if I could, and if you
are sure that-that there is no en-
gagement-"
''There IS none" said Stephen, lying
smoothly. ''There can be none; the
idea is preposterous.'
Lady Bell moved away as he spoke,
and turned over some book on the
table TO conceal her agitation, and
Stephen, humming popular hymn
tune, crossed the room and looked
down at Jack and Una with bened1o
tory smile, as if he was blessing them.
"Are you aware of the time, and that
Lady Bells hall porter is uttering
maledictions for our tardiness? he
said, piayfulIy.
Jack looked at his watch.
'By Jove! No idea it was so late.
Are you ready, Mrs. Davenant?"
Mrs. Davenant woke from sleep,
and she and Una went upstairs.
Il see you have a new maid" she
is more than superior, she is interest
ing. She has history"
Stephen, standing by, folding and
unfolding his opera hat, smiled.
Every interesting; but take care,
~