Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-07-25

faintness took him, but he struggled
with and overcame it.
"Is-is-Jack here?" he asked.
Il regret to say" he replied, that he
is not cannot understand the delay.
I hope, fervently hope, that he has
not willfully-"
Did you tell him l was dyirfg?"
asked Ralph, watching him keenly.
Can you doubt it?" murmured
Stephen, meekly. Il particularly
charged the messenger to say that my
cousin was not to delay"
The old man looked up with a sar-
EdOnic smile.
'T'll wait" he muttered, and he closed
his eyes resOlutely. The minutes
passed, and presently there was low
knock at the door, and a servant crept
up to Stephen.
MIR. Newcombe is below, sir"
Stephen looked warningly at the bed,
and stole on tip-toe from the room
not that there was any occasion to go
on tiptoe. for his ordinary walk was as
nOiseless as a cat's-down the old
treadworn stairs, into the neglected
hall. and entered the library.
Bolt upright. and looking very like
a Savage indeed. stood Jack New
cOmbe.
With noiseless step and mournful
smile, Stephen entered, closed the
door, and held out his hand.
My dear Jack, how late you are."
With an angry gesture Jack thrust
his hands in his pockets, and glared
wrathfully at the white, placid face.
"Late!" he echoed, passionately.
why didn't you tell me that he was
dying?"
Hush" murmured Stephen, with a
shocked look-though If Jack had bel
lowed in his savagest tone, his voice
would not have reached the room up
stairs. Pray. be quiet, my dear Jack.
Tell youl Didn't my man give you my
message? particularly told him to
describe the state of my uncle's health.
Summers is not apt TO forget or
neglect messages!"
Messages" said Jack, with wrath
full incredulity; "he gave me none
left none. rather, for I was out He
simply said that the squire wanted to
see me-"
Dear, dear me-" murmured Stephen,
.regretfully. Il cannot understand IL.
Do YOU think the person who took the
message delivered it properly? Stun
mers is so very careful and trust
worthy"
oh" said Jack. contemptuously.
do you suppose anyone would have
forgotten TO tell me If your man had
told them that the squire was dying?
don't If you do. and I don't believe
you do. You're no fool, Stephen,
though you have made one of me-" and
he moved toward the door.
stay" said Stephen, laying his
white hand gently on Jacks arm.
''will you wait few minutes? Though
BY some unfortunate accident you were
not told how III my uncle is, l assure
you that he is too i'll now to be har-
assed-"
"Oh. know what you mean without
so many words" interrupted Jack.
scornfully. Make your mind easy,
am not going to split upon you. BAH"
he added, as Stephen shook his head
with sorrowful reputation. do you
suppose that don't know that your
man was instructed to keep it from
NE? What were you afraid of-that
should cut you out at the last mo-
ment? You Judge me by your own
standard. and you make vast mis-
take. It isn't on account OF the
money-you are welcome to that-and
you deserve Il, for you've worked hard
enough fer il: no, It's not on that ac-
count, it's-but you wouldn't under
stand If told you. am going up
now" and he sprang up the stairs
quickly.
Stephen followed him, and entered
the room close behind him. The old
man looked up. motioned with his hand
10 Jack, looked at the other two and
quietly pointed 10 the door.
stephens eyes closed and his lips
shut as he hesitated for a moment,
then he turned and left with the
PHYSICIAN.
Il think" said Sir Humphrey, bland
r.. and looking at his watch-cne of a
score left him by departed patients,
= think that I will 60 now, Mr.. Daven-
ant: I can do no good and my presence
appears only TO irritate your uncle"
The great doctor departed just
thirty guineas richer than when he
came, and Stephen went into the IL
brary and closed the door. and as he
aid so it almost seemed as If he had
taken of a mask and left it on the
mat outside
The set, calm expression Ct the face
changed to one Of fierce. uncomfortable
auXicty and malice. with sullen step
re paced up and down the room, gnaw-
ins-but daintily-at his nails. and
grinding the white tCmbstones.
Another half hour" he muttered,
"and the fool would have been too
a. IL =