Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-12-19
E~NC~~~NlG~s~"VI~s-vt~~ss
:
) Only One !
{ CHARLES ~ Love s
y GARVICE
&
Es~~QN.~ qN~.~qN.&~Qr-~~qN-l2
CHAPTER xxxIv.

said Una, as she stood at her dressing
room window, and looked out upon the
lawns and park of Hurst, where they
stretched down toward the road.
Another hour!" an at the thought
smile-yet scarcely a smile, but q
suitable light like sun ray stole over
her face.
The great poet Tennyson has, in one
of his greatest poems, portrayed girl
Who all unconscious of the bitter mo-
ments awaited her, decked herself In
her brightest ribbons to receive hel
eXpectd lover.
now, but Una had paid some, for her
extraordinary attention to her toilet.
Jack was never tired of calling her
beautiful; had even gone SO far as to
speak Of her loneliness, and it had
raised no vanity in her; but this even.
ing she felt she would like to appear
really and truly beautiful in his eyes,
SO beautiful that even Lady Bells
spirited face should be forgotten.
She had chosen the dress he liked
best; had selected, with unusual care,
a couple Of flowers from the costly
bouquet, which, morning and evening,
was sent to her room from the hot
houses, and had decked herself in the
locket and bracelet, and ring which
Jack had given her.
Mrs. Davenant had made her many
presents of jewelry, some of it costly,
and even rare; but she would not
wear anything but Jacks own gifts to-
night
s'He will come fresh from Lady
Bells diamonds and sapphires, and
would think little of mine, beautiful as
they are; but he will like to see his
locket and hs bracelet, and will know
that l love him best
Not once, but twice and thrice she
had moved from the window to the
glass and looked into it. Not with any
expression of pleased vanity, but rather
with merciless criticism. For the first
time, she would like to be as beauti-
full as Jack thought her. For the last
few days she had been rather silent
and somewhat pale. Stephens cum
ming hints respecting Jack and Lady
DOI1 AdQ udQ C1C1l ClCCl1 UuC COh1ShC .
expectation, and the nearness of Jack S
approach, had brought faint rose-like
tint to her cheeks, and her eyes shone
with the subtle light of love and hope.
Mrs. Davenant looked up at her as
she entered the drawing-room and
smiled affeetionately.
'How well you look tonight, dear, Z
she said, as he kissed her and drew
her down beside her. I'm inclined to
believe Jack, when he says that you
grow more beautiful than ever"
Hush" said Una but with blush
& Jack says so many foolish things
dear"
eff he never said anything more fool
ish than that he would be wise man,
said Mrs. Davenant. How long would
he be now, dear?"
Una glanced at the clock.
"Juts forty minutes" she said
simply.
Mrs. Davenant smiled and patted her
hand.
Counting the very minutes" she
murmured, gently. What thing
love is! What would life be without
it?"
Death" said Una, with grave
smile. II wonder whether Stephen
will come down this EVENING""
do you not know?'' said Una, alb
sently.
mo-" replied Mrs. Davenant. 81
thought, perhaps, he might have told
you"
"Me!" said Una, with open eyes
ooh, no. Why should hep
81 didn't know" said Mrs. Daven
ant, quietly. Gle tells you everything
/ think"
Una smiled.
HE is very good and kind" she
said, still little absently. ooh, very
kind. No one could have taken more
trouble to make me happy
Eyes, Stephen likes to see you hap
py," said Mrs. Davenant, softly. Poor
Stephen!" and she sighed.
But Una heard neither the express
sion of pity nor the sigh. She had
risen. and was moving about the room
with that suppressed Impotence which
marks the one who watts an expected
joy
Presently her quick ears heard the
rattle of approaching wheels, and with
throbbing heart she looked at the
clock. 1t wanted ten minutes to the
appointed time for Jacks arrival. With
quick flush of gratitude for his pune
tGality she moved to the door, and stole
ywiftly and softly to her own room, to
regain composure. She heard the
carriage pull up and go away to the
stables-heard the hurried tread OF
footsteps in the marble hall-and then
with the faint flush grown into full
blown. blush, went downstairs and en-.
tered the drawing-room.
sudden shock OF disappointment
chilled her. Stephen was standing be.
fore the fire warming his hands hut