Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-09-22
CHAPTER XIX.


of the beautiful girl whom her son
Stephen had so strangely committed
to her charge; grew to understand and
to love her. and, bit by bit, her merry
BUSINESS and timidIty wore off In Unas
presence. lnsensibly she grew to lean
and rely on the girl, who, with all her
innocence and ignorance Of the world,
was so gently calm and selfpossessed,
and Una, in return, lavished her love
upon the timid, shrinking woman.
Mrs. Davenant had heard no word
from stephen, she was accustomed
to such silence, and almost dreaded to
hear, lest 1t should be a message tear
Ing Una from her side, She did not
know that Stephen was master Of
Hurst Leigh and all the immense
wealth of Ralph DayenanL
Una did not know that Jack New
cOmbe was back here In London, al.
most within half an hour of her. When
she thought of her father and mother
there in Warden, II was always with
the confident trust that they were well,
for she felt that II II were otherwise,
Gideon would somehow let her know.
She was quite ignorant that the cot
tagc was empty and deserted,
Indeed, there was not much time for
Thought Day after day brought It's
succession of wonderful sights and
experiences. as the little green broug. |
ham bore them about town, and Mrs
Darenant showed her all the maryeIs |
OF the great city
Una was daz2led, kcwildercd some
times but her instructive good taste |
helped her to keep back all eXtraya
giant expressions Of surprise on her
voyage through Fairyland.
one day however, an exclamation
Of delight escaped her, as she came in
sight Of jewelers. window, opposite |
which the brOugham had stopped.
70 her who had only read Of pre-
cous stones, and regarded thcm AZ oh |
iects almost fabulous, the window |
looked ns If II contained the wealth |
of the Indies and Of AIaddin's palace
combined
They entered and Mrs Davenant |
asked to 500 some ladies' watches |
selected one and a handsome albert |
and, with smile, arranged them nj
Una's waist, In which. To her equal
nmazement. she found pocket al
ready provided,
Pale with emotion, she could not
utter word, and to hide the tears /
that sprang into her eyes, turned aside +
Ia ut Ia,
cent set Of brIliants. The iewcIcr
politely unlocked the case and placed
the bracelet In her hand.
"A really magnificent set, 1t IL
sold, They were purchased by Lady |
Isabel Earlsley"
Lady Enribl"y," said Mrs, Davenant
"Ah yes, she Is fond of diamonds, Is
she not ~
Yes, and of other precious stones,
too, madam. She has excellent taste
aud discrimination Perhaps YOU have
pcen her set Of sapphlres?"
mo. said Mrs pavenant, in her
quiet way, II have met Lady Earl9loy,
but have not seen them"
The jewcler opened an iron safe, and
took out case containing n superb,
n unique set Of sapphircs, aud handed
them to her,
"rhs Is til have IT to alter, They
are the purest In the world finer even
than her ladyship's rubies, which are
considered, but wrongly, matchess"
Una stared open.eyed, and the jewel
,,t al, a., a., T..
mtration, took the set from It's easel
and laid It IN her hands
As Una was bending over them fas
ctnated, handsome carriage drew up,
aud the shop door was opened by
footman IN rich livery.
Una looked up and saw beautiful
girl who, pausng IN the doorway,
stood regarding her.
The eyes OF the two girls met Una's
with nm instant frank admiration In
her calm depths-a curious, half
amazed, tut also Ndmtrlng stare in the
bright, dark eyes of the other,
The ioweler glanced from the new
conner To the gems in uua's lap and
changed color Mrs Dayenant start.
ed nervouslN. and turned pale
With n quick, hrdlitc. but
thoroughly graceful movement. the
ichly.drcsscd lady turned and with .
smile of recognition, bowed
Mrs ' she said, aud hositatcd
"nayenant," said Mrs Daveuant
How ~ YOU do, Lady Earlsley?"
heiress aud queen OF fashion, held or
49,, hand in hcJ quick, imn"'" 80 sov
buI turned hrl quick glance on Una.
whose eyes had never left the dark
bewitching face.
Your daughter Mrs. nayeuante"
Poor Mrs. Dayenant tremhled with
nervous agitation
"No-no-=a young friend Miss
Rolfe." She answered. TREMENDOUSLY