Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-01

Noh4h G4g ~ iiAOt ~ 'Hbbt7i y am ELOIIIl'
ed and rayed.
Meanwhile the Davenant party had
thanks TO Stephen, made a comfortable
journey. They found carriage and
pair waiting for them at the station
not the ramshackle vehicle Of the old
squire's time, but a new carriage from
the best man in Long Acre, and they
were rolled along the country lanes in
style Ralph Davenant would have
marveled at
Presently they came in sight OF the
Hurst, and Mrs. Davenant uttered an
exclamation.
"Why, stephen, it is altered!' she
said :.
Stephen smiled proudly.
Short as the time had been he had
effected radical change in the old
house; hundred workmen had been
busy, and the ramshackle old mansion
had been transformed. Wings had
1 been added, the grounds had been new
ly laid out; the road, even, had been
altered, and they drove through an
avenue Of thriving young lines.
Una, silent and interested, kept her
often heard Jack describe it, but this
palatial residence did not answer to
his description Stephens money ana
energy had entirely transformed the
place.
The carriage pulled up at the en-
/ cod hplf 81 -.
the horses heads; footmen in hand.
some liveries stood in attendance, and
the servants formed a lane for their
master to pass through. Una had
often read Of such a reception, but here
was a reality.
stephen helped her to alight, and
took her and his mother on his arm,
his head erect, warm flush on his
cheek
Suddenly the flush disappeared and a
frown took its place as he saw amongst
the crowd gathered together at the en-
trance the parchment-liIte visage Of cid
Skettlc.
But the frown disappeared as he
entered the house, and stood silent,
listening to tho approving comments
Of Mrs. Davcnant
MY dear Stephen" she said, "you
have certainly altered the place !
should not have known it. And is THIS
what was the gloomy old Hall?"
"Yes," said stephen, proudly, and
he glanced round at the alterations
with nm air of satisfaction and looked
at una's face for some. sign Of ap,
proyal.
But Una was looking around anxious
~. If II was so much altered, then 1t
was not the old home that Jack knew
and remembered.
You will find everything altered and
improved ! hope" said stephen.
Altered, indeed They have even
shifted the old staircase, so that it /
would have been difficult to have found
the room in which the old squire died
eXclalming:
you thief! you thief! what have
you done with the VIM"
Yes indeed, there was great altcra.
ton, The old squire, If he had come
TO life again. would not have known
Hurst as stephen had made It, Masons,
and decorators had been at
work to some purpose. Everything was
changed, and Enthusiastically for the bet
ter
stephen looked around with an air or
pride.
"rhoy have been very quick" he
said Il placed 1t in good hands. Won
will find everything YOU require up,
stairs You must know" he said,
turning to Una, that | found the place
little better than a barn and have
done my best to make IT fit to receive
you' You are looking at the por-
traits he added seeing Una's gazc
along the double line Of
dead and gone Davenants. Most of
Ihcm yon would not have seen two
months ago, they had been terribly
noguoetod but have had them clean
ed aud renewed That Is The old
squire, my poor uncle" and he stshod
Tina paused before this. Jhe l&s por
Hil Of the series, ana looked III .t
bona and erously, and Che Other Two
stood aud watched her, Stophea with
a Keen glance of scrutiny and with a
nervous trrmer about his heart II
She could hut know that She Mas ooh
ns al the portrait Of her own father,
Una TUNED away at lass with a faint