Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-11-14
Continued.


most men of his kind, he got disguised
with the world and hid himself-there
is no other word for it. But it is
one thing to hide yourself and quite
another to bury your children. My
friend Rolfe felt this when he awoke
TO the fact that his daughter had grown
from a child to young woman, and
like a sensible man he applied to one
who was conversant with the world,
and one in whom he could have,
trust full confidence-myself."
Jack sat silently regarding the white,
calm face with grim, observant eyes.
HE did not appeal to an old friend
ship in vain. | undertook the charge
of Miss Rolfe on one condition. 1 may
say two-one on her side, one on mine.
Hers was that she should live with my
mother, under her protecting wing, as
it were; mine was that I should be the
absolute guardian of the young girl.
committed to my charge"
Jack stared.
"You are Una's GUARDIAN he said,
at last, with unconcealed surprise, as
Gideon RoIfe's curse upon the race OF
Davenants flashed upon his memory.
Stephen Davenant smiled.
'FYou are surprised, my dear Jack.
But think! 1t is very natural. I'm
less l had unquestionable control over
the young lady, how could 1 answer for
her safety? How guard her against the
attacs of fortune hunters
Jack started.
Fortune hunters!" he exclaimed.
do you mean to say that Una is an
heiress?"
Stephens face had flushed and turn
ed deadly pale.
He had actually been thinking Of
Una Davenant while he had been talk
ing Of Una Rolfe
''You did not hear me out, my dear
jack" he said, softly, recovering his
composure instantly. 81 was going to
say against the attack of fortune
hunters who might besiege her under
the impression that, as my ward, she
would be possessed of wealth, intead of
being, as you know, absolutely penni-
less"
Jack nodded.
cat any rate" he said, grimly, ST was
not so deceived"
my dear Jack!' exclaimed Stephen,
reproachfully, "do you suppose that [
do not know that! You who are the
soul of honor and disinterestednes
are not likely to be mistaken for
fortune hunter by anyone, least OF all
by me, who know and love you so
WE'LL"
Jack WINGED, as the vision of Lady
Bell rose before his eyes.
eco on" he said, impatiently.
'Well, my dear Jack" said Stephen
with a smile, and rubbing his hands
softly, lis it not rather for you to go
on? l am Una's guardian, you are her
lover"
'I see," said Jack, rising and pacing
up and down the room. "YOu want me
to ask your consent formally. Well,
[ do so.
Stephen laughed as if at an excellent
joke.
What a grim, thorough-going old
bulldog you are, my dear Jack!" he
exclaimed affectionately. "You ask my
consent, as if you did not know that
you have it, and my best, my very
heartiest wishes into the bargain. But,
Jack, don't you see why I am so
pleased-why this makes me so hap
Ply? 1t is because now you will be COM
PEELED to do me the favor of taking
share of the poor squire's money!
Jack started as If he had been stung.
"You see, my dear fellow! you can't
marry On nothing-now, can you? Lobe
must have a cottage, and-but beg
your pardon, my dear fellow! l am
perhaps, going too far. Much to my
grief and regret you have never con-
f1ded in me as 1 should have wished,
and perhaps hope that it may be so
you have some means"
Jack paced up and down. the per-
spiration standing on his knitted brow.
In the ecstatic joy which had fallen
upon him like a glamour during those
few short hours with Una, he had alb
solutely forgotten that he was pennf-
less, and in debt, and without pros
pect in the wide world.
And now it all rushed back upon
him; every softlyspoken word OF
Stephens fell upon him like drop in
an icy shower bath, and awoke him
from his dream to the stern reality.
What was he to do? Great Heaven,
was he actually driven to accept
Stephens charity?
A shudder ran through him, pang
of worse than wounded pride.
Become a pensioner of Stephen
Davenant's! No, 1t was simply i'm
possible. White and haggard with
the struggle that was going on with
in him, he turned upon the smiling
face.
What you want-what you propose,
is impossible" he said, hoarsely. 1
cannot and will not do it. | would