Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-10-27
CHAPTER XVI.

If1HF En- NNNi'
Jack Newcombe" exclaimed Mrs.
Davenant, looking at the card which
Mary had brought in Jack New
combe!" she repeated second time.
my dear, come here"
Una was sitting beside the open win
dow, book In her lap, her eyes fixed
on the sun setting just behind the
chimnoys.
"Yes," she said, her face flushed, her
eyes glowing as If the sun were re-
hected in them; but she did not move.
Mis- Davenant hurried across the
room with the card in her hand.
Una, dear, see here" she said,
nervously. Here is Jack Newcombe.
You've heard me speak of him."
Una, feeling guilty and deceitful,
hung her head
Her heart beat fast. For two days
che had waited and watched for him
never for moment had he been alb
sent from her mind.
And now he was here, in the next
room.
yes" she said II remember"
We'll, my dear, | don't know what
to do. | don't know what he wants
do you?--but of course you don't!"
Una flushed crimson to her very
neck.
Il think you had better go, my dear,
said Mrs. Davenant, fdgeting with
the card.
Una did not move.
"Why?" she asked, raising her eyes
for the first time.
Mrs. Davenant moved her head nerv,
ously.
BECAUSE don't think Stephen
mean--Jack Newcombe is the sort Of
man you ought to know"
But" said Una, softly and with a
Lsteady look in her dark eyes, Il do
know him already"
Mrs. Davenant stared
you know him? Jack Newcombe?'
ULa nodded.
Yes" she said in low voice Il
met him up the river | saw him at
Lady Bell's-he is a friend of hers
But why didn't you tell me-" said
Mrs Davenant, looking distressed and
frightened.
IRA felt guilty.
II don't know" she said in reply. Il
think it was because knew you would
feel angry"
Mrs Davenant stared at her, 1t
was like the reply of a child in its
simple, naked truth,
well, WELL" she said, with a
troubled voice, "of course you couldn't
help it and | couldn't help It, And
here the door opened quietly. and
Jacks head appeared, and Mrs.
Davenant started
Seeing that they were alone, Jack
came In with his usual GOODNESS, though
his heart beat; and he crossed the
room, and took Mrs. Davenants hand
and kissed her forehead
And the poor woman melted in
moment, as she always did when Jac';
was actually present AS matter of
simple truth. she was really as fond of
him as If he had been her own son, and
but for stephen, Jack would have seen
her oftener.
boyhood, and the iind-hearted, affec
tionate. timid Mrs. Davenant had often
dried his boyish tears and held him IN
her arms. Even now, notwithstand-
ing Jacks wickedness, of which
Stephen made the most, her heart
went out toward him.
He had not been near her for some
months, nearly year all through
stephen, and she had almost given
him up: but Jacks kiss revived all the
old tenderness And what woman
could resist his handsome face and
frank, manly way?
well, maam," he said-and
ma am sounded in her ears and in
Uuas almost like "mother'-"and how
are you? And aren't you glad TO see
me?"
Yes, Jack" said Mrs. Davenant
neyously.
lGH WY w YOU hSSp me III lHS
draughty hall for half an hour? DO
YOU want me to catch cold?"
"Half an hour" murmured Mrs.
navenant. I'm sure YOU haven't been
there three minutes"
Two minutes and half too long,
he said, smiling. He was giving Una
time TO recover herself.
You never come TO see me now,
Jack" said Mrs. Davenant, looking up
at him sadly
And now do, you keep me outside
Resides. you never ask me- Who's that
in the lack room. ma'am2"
Mrs. Davenant started: she had al.