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

against him, nor was the old man max
ing a will in the Savages favor.
Jacsk stood beside the bed, waiting
for one of the attacks Of faintness to
pass. looking down rcgrcttully at the
Laggard, death-markej face, recalling
the past kindnesses he had received
from the old man, and "enorsefully re-
Laundering their many quarrels and
eventful separation.
Bad lot" as he was no thought of
Iucre crossed the Savage's mind; he
forget even Stephen and the cowardly
trick he had played him, and remem-
bered only that he was looking his last
on the old fan, who, after his kind,
had been good, and so far as his nature
would allow it, generous to him.
At last old Ralph opened his eyes.
Here at last" he said; and by an
effort of the resolute will, he made him
self heard distinctly, though every
word cost him breath.
I'm sorry I'm so late he said; and
LIS voice was husky. II didn't know"
The old man looked at him shrewdly,
so Stephen didn't send? 1t was
just like him. A good stroke"
Eyes, he sent" said Jack; Out"
The old man waved ais hand TO
show that he understood.
"a sharp stroke. A clever fellow,
Stephen. You always were a fool"
I'm afraid SO, sir,p he said quietly.
But Stephen is a knave, and fool,
;Uo." murmured the clj Tsn. Jack,
[ wish-I wish l COLD come back to
the funeral"
ITO see his face wner the Wills
read, " explained old Ralph, with grim
smile.
Jack cclored, and, am ashamed to
say, grinned.
A sardonic smile fitted over the old
mans face.
BE sure you are there, Jack; don't
let him keep you away"
Not that you will be disappointed
much" said the old man
Don't think of me, sir" said Jack,
with a dim sense of the discordance in
such talk from such lips.
Il have thought of you as far-as-
dared Jack, you are an honest
fool. Why--why did you give that
post obit?"
Il don't know" said Jack, quietly
Don't worry about that now"
stephen told me-, said the old man,
grimly He has told me every piece
of wickedness you have done. He is
a kind-hearted man, is-Ste-phen."
1--WE never were frineds, sir" he
said But don't talk now"
II must" murmured the old man.
Now or never, and-give me your
hand, Jack"
I've had yours ever since I came
in" said Jack. simply.
ooh, didn't know it. Good-by, boy
-dont-don't end up like this. It
and-and-for Heavens sake don't
cry!" for Jack emitted a suspicious lit
tie choking sound, and his eyes were
dim. "Good-by; don't be too disap-
pointed. Justice, Jack, Justice. Where
- OAGpAANn oGAlN MN " me- anu
the old sardonic smile came back Il
like TO see him-he amuses metz
The eyes closed; Jack waited a mo
ment, then pressed the cold hand, and
crept from the room.
Half way down the stairs he leaned
his arm on the lbalustrade and dropped
his face on it for a minute or two, then
choking back his tears, went into the
library-when Stephen was sitting
reading a volume of sermons-and
pointed upstairs.
my uncle wants me?" murmured
stephen. Il will go. Might I recon-
mend this book to you, my dear Jack;
il contains"
Jack, regret to say, chucked the
volume into a corner of the room, and
Stephen, with a mournfully reproach-
full sigh, shook his head and left the
room.