Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-29
CHAPTER XIV.

toward III, anu IA 6AAeA@G 51G UaAS
farewell 70 the Ieafy world in which
fer life had passed with SO much
uleveutfulness-in silence listened 70
the soughing Of the breeze that seem
ed 20 voice her a sad goodbye.
Her. companion sat in silence, too,
holding The soft, warm hand which
chung to hers with an eloquent suppl
cation for protection and sympathy.
But youth and tears are foes who
cannot abide long together, and by the
time the little railway village OF
Wermesley was reached, Una's eyes
were full OF interest and curiosity.
AS the fly rumbled over the unkept
streets toward the station. past the
few tame shops and the dead-and-alive
hotel. her color came and went in
rapid fluctuations.
Isis this the vorld?" she asked,
in a low voice.
Mrs. Davenant looked at her with a
smile. the first which Una had seen
on the thin, pale face. She had yet to
learn that Mrs. Davenant never smilen
I'm her sons presence.
aThe world. my deaT?' she replied.
We'll. yes; but a very quiet part OF
It,"
"And yet there are so many people
in the streets, and-ah." she drew
hack with an exclamation as the train
shrieked into the station.
Mrs. Davenant started-she was
nervous herself. and had not yet
realized that she had for a companion
one who was as ignorant OF our
modern hfgh-pressure civilization as a
North American Indian.
THAT is the train; don't be fright
ened. my dear" she said.
Forgive me. know il is the train
II have read about 1t. I am not.
frightened" she added. quietly, and
with a touch Of gentle dignity thas.
puzzled Mrs. Davenant
NY dear" she said. 4 am not find
ing fault. or Gliding you, it is only
natural that you should be surprised
but YOU viii find a great deal more to
be surprised at when We get to Lon
don"
Una inclined her head as she
mentally registered a resolution TO.
conceal. at any cost. any surprise or
alarm she might feel on the rest of
the journey.
Nevertheless, she kept very close to
Mrs. Davenant as they passed 10 the
train. and shrank back into the corner
Of the carriage driven there by the
stupid stare of one or two of the pas.
seugers-
Now we are all right" said Mrs
Davenant. gently. I'VE shall not sleep
now till we get to town"
ITO LondOn-we are going TO Lon
DOM" asked Una in a low voice.
YES" said Mrs. Davenant. THAT
is where live; I live in great
square at the West-end."
Il know the points Of the compass"
said Una, with a smile; my father
taught me-" and she sighed-"poor
father"
II think your father must be a very
clever man. my dear. He appears to
have taught you a great deal mean
she hesitates-'.yOu speak so cor
rectly."
DO ~" said Una. yes. my father
is very clever. He knows everything"
cit is very curious" she said. Il
mean-I hope you won't be offended,
but men i'm his position are not ge- CT
ally informed"
"Are they nOt?" said Una, quietly.
Il don't know. Perhaps my father
learned all he know from books"
and taught you in the same way.
Tell me what books you have read"
Una smiled softly. Ccd as she did
so. Mrs. Daveuant started. and looked
around at her with something like
fright iu her grave. still ewes.
What is the matter?" asked Una.
aN0-nOthing, replied the other. =
you reminded me Of somebody when
you laughed. can't tell whom. But.
the books. you were going 70 tell me
about the books"
Il can't remember all" said Una,
and then she mentioned the titles Of.
some of the weIl-bOund volumes which
stood on the little bookshelf in the
hut.
Mrs. Davenant regarded her curious
ly.
Those are all books Of a world that
existed long ago." she said. You
have never read any novels-any
novels Of present day life?"
NO. think not"
Then you are absolutely ignorant
Of life as Il IS" said Mrs. Davenant
Yes. / suppose so" assented Una.
Il can understand now how usefm
fiction really IS" murmured Mrs.
Davenant. ct is by II alone that
future age viii understand what ours
Is. You are entering upon some
strange experiences. Miss Rolfe."
Una started: the name was so I'M
familiar 20 her that she hardly
recognized ft.