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


and Lady Bell.
Going to wall1?" cried Mrs. Daven-
ant. ut is very chilly, and you've
only that thin overcoat.'
1--WE a scarf where is
it?'' said Stephen.
Una stopped and picked up white
scarf.
Here it isl she said, laughing, and
all innocently she threw it round his
neck.
will you tie it, please?" said
Stephen, in an ordinary tone, and Una,
laughing still, tied it.
Stephen stood motionless, his eyes
cast down; he was afraid to raise them
lest the passion blazing in them should
be read by all there.
Thanks I cannot catch cold now,"
he said, as he took her hand and held
lit for a moment.
He put them into the brougham, and
under the pretext of arranging her
shawl, touched her hand once again;
then he STOOD in the chilly street and
watched the brougham till it disap-
Feared in the distance.
Then he turned and walked home
ward.
zone step in the right direction" he
muttered. "Take care, Master Jack;
shall outwit you yet"
AS he assembled the stairs of his
chambe rs, Summers came out to meet
him.
There is a-person waiting for you,
Mr. Stephen" he said.
Stephen stopped, and his hand closed
On the balustrade; his thoughts flew
to Laura Treherne.
'A-woman, Slummers?"
mo, sir, man." said Summers.
Very good" said Stephen, with
breath of relief ''Who is lido you
know?"
Summers shook his head
"A rough sort of man, sir; says he
has come on business. He has been
waiting for hours"
Il am very sorry" said Stephen,
aloud and blandly, for the benefit of the
visitor. II am sorry to have kept
anyone waiting. But it is rather
late"
He entered the room as he spoke,
and started slightly, for standing in
the center of the apartment was
Gideon Rolfe.
Notwithstanding the start Stephen
came forward with outstretched hand
and ready smile of welcome.
My dear Mr.. Rolfe, I am indeed
sorry that you should have been kept
SO long. If had only known that you
were coming"
Gideon Rolfe waived all further CON-
pliment aside with a gesture of i'm.
patience.
Il wished to see you he said.
Time is no object to me-
Stephen shut the door carefully and
stood in listening attitude He knew
it was of no use to ask his visitor
to sit down.
"You have come to inquire about
your daughter?"
NO, I have not" said Gideon Rolfe,
calmly. II know that she is well-l
see her daily. 1 came to remind you
of our contract came to remind you
of your promise that no harm should
come near her"
Stephen smiled and shook his head.
And | trust no harm has come near
her, my dear Mr.. Rolfe''
But I say that it has," said Gideon
Rolfe, coldly 81 have watched her
daily and I know"
TO what harm do you allude?"
asked Stephen, bravely.
do you deny that the young man
Jack Newcombe is near herr"
"Oh,," said Stephen, and he drew a
long breath
Then he commenced untying the
scarf, his acute brain hard at work.
Here was an instrument ready to
his hand, if he chose to use it properly
"Oh, [ understand. No, I do not
deny it; I wish that could do so, fol
your sake and for Unas;" he said
gravely.
Speak plainly" said Gideon Rolfe,
uOarS6Iy
Il WILL" said Stephen "Painly then,
Mr.. NeWcombe has chosen to fall in
love with-your daughter! That ac-
counts for his constant attendance
upon her"
Gideon Rolfe's face worked.
Il will take her back" he said, grim
ly.
Stephen smiled.
Softly, softly. There are two to
that bargain, my dear Mr.. Role. For
Miss Una to go back to state of
savagery in Warden Forest is impos
sible. You, who have seen her in her
new surroundings, and the change
they have wrought in her, must admit
that"
Gideon Rolfe wiped the perspiration
from his brow
II know that she is changed" he
said. "She is Like a great lady now.
&C 61.nC in nj Gil nd