Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-29
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5 CHARLES ~ Love 1
GARVTCE



Il little thought when my son Stephen
telegraphed TO meet him that he was
taking me TO a daughter"
Your son Stephen-he sent for
youi" said Una, with frank curiosity.
How did he know of my existence?"
Through some friend" said Mrs.
Davenant, with much hesitation ana
nervous embarrassment. my son is
a very good man, and always in
teresting himself in some good cause
or other-something that will benefit
his fellow creatures. You-you will
ike my son when you know more of
him., she added, and though she spoke
with pride there was a touch of
something like fear in her voice,
which always came when she men
toned his name or spoke of his
goodness.
YES" said Una, simply, 81 will for
your sake"
Thank you, my dear" murmured
Mrs. Davenant.
But how" went on Una, after
thinking a moment, how did his
friend know anything about me? Dio
my father"
Il don't know, Una" said Mrs.
Daverant, nervously. stephen
doesn't always tell me everything;
you see he has so much to think OF,
and just now he is in great trouble,
you know"
"Ahi yes" said Una, gently; "ano
he had not time to tell you. But he
viii am sorry he is in such
trouble" Then, after a pause, she
said: Are you rich?"
Mrs. Davenant started. The ques-
ton. so unusual and so strange. be-
wildered her by its suddenness and it's
frankness.
Rich, my dear?" she said. "Yes-I
suppose I am rich"
And he is rich?"
He viii be, perhaps; we do not
know until his uncle's will is read"
Il know what a will is" said Una.
with a smile. 1T is the paper which a
man leaves when he dies, saying to
whom he wishes his money 40 go.
And Stephen"
you should say Mr. Stephen. or
Mr. Davenant, my DEAR" she said. y
don't mind your calling him Stephen.
but-but-" She looked round in
despair. How was she to explain TO
this frank, beautiful girl the laws of
etiquette? But everyone who speaks
OF those TO whom they are not related
say Mr., or Mrs, or Miss"
Il see" said Una. Then Mr..
Davenant expects to get his uncle's
money, and then he viii be rich. am
very glad. And he does not live in the
same house with your"
NO" replied Mrs. Davenant-and
surely there was something like
tone of relief in her voice-"no: when
he is in London he lives in chambers
IN rooms by himself; but he has been
staying at Hurst Leigh"
AT Hurst Leigh" echoed Una.
softly, and faint color stole over her
face. How wonderful It was! That
other-he whose face was always with
Htis Was SulnS lneres
AT Hurst Leigh" repeated Mrs.
Davenant. DO you know it?''
Una shook her head silently. She
longed TO ask more, to ask If Mrs.
Davenant knew the youth who had
taken shelter in the cottage, but she
simply could not. Love is a wondrous
schoolmaster-he had already taught
her frank, Out-spoken nature the art of
cOncealment.
1T is a grand place." continued Mrs.
Davenant. "A great, hugh place"
and she shivered family, "and-and if
Squire Davenant has left it to
Stephen, he will live there"
You don't like it?" said Una, with
acute intuition.
NO" replied Mrs. Davenant. with
unusual earnestness. mo. oh no! II
frightens me. I was never there but
once, and then I was glad-very. very
glad TO get away, grand and beautiful
as It wasl"
But why?" asked Una, eagerly.
"Because-have you never heard
Of Ralph Davenant?"
Una hesitated a moment. She had
heard OF him.
He was a wonderful man. but ter
r.ble TO me. His eyes looked through
one. and then he had been so wicked"
why are men so wicked?" she
asked, in a low voice.
"T-l-don't know What a singular
question" said Mrs. Davenant mo
one knows. Perhaps It is because
they have different natures to ours.
But you need not look so grieved, my
dear" she added, with a little smile,
you need not know any wicked men"
"Who can tell? One does not know;
wicked men are just like the others,
only we like them better"
/ Mrs. Davenant stared at her, and
utterly overwhelmed by the strange
reply, sank into her corner and into
silence.