Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-03

Then with long, loving look intC
her sweet face he crossed the room
Goodnight Stephen"
you are really going Well, then
I'll go with you," said Stephen. Mother
will not mind my running away to
night, am rather tired"
And he stopped and kissed her, and
went to the door.
1t almost seemed as if he had for
gotten Una; but he turned suddenly
and held out his hand, bland, benevo.
lent smile on his pale face.
Goodnight, goodnight" he MUIR
INJURED softly, and followed after Jack,
who, the moment he reached the pave
ment, looked out for a hanson; but
Stephen linked his arm in Jacks, and
said:
Are you in a hurry, my dear Jack?
If not, I'll walk a little way with you;
or will come toward my rooms?"
Jack consented to the latter course,
! by turning in the direction of the
Albany" in silence.
He felt that stephen was playing a
part-why or wherefore he could not
guess-and now that he had recovered
from his surprise at Stephens sud
den appearance, his old mistrust and
dislike were returning to him.
They walked on in silence for some
few moments. then stephen said:
81 wanted to have few words with
you, my dear Jack. should have
written, but | felt that l could make
myself understood better by word of
mouth"
Jack nodded.
"Of course. what have to say con-
Germs my poor uncles death and its
consequences"
Jack was silent still. He would not
help him in the slightest
Il cannot hut feel that those con
sequences, while they have been dis
tinctly beneficial to me, have-and to
put it plainly, and | wish to speak
plainly, my dear Jack-have been un.
fortunate for you"
We'll" said Jack, grimly.
well" said Stephen, softly, Il had
hoped, | still hope that you will allow
me the happiness of setting right, to
some extent, the wrong-yes, | will say
wrong-done you by my uncle's will"
That's impossible" said Jack
gravely.
But my dear Jack, why not? 1t is
my right Have you any idea of the
fortune"
mot the slightest" said Jack
breathing in abruptly, land it's no bust
ness of mine; large or small, | hope
.you'll enjoy it. 1t was the squire's to
DO as he liked with, and ! suppose he
did as he liked; and there's an end OF
It,"
Stephen WINGED and bit his lip.
And now" said Jack, quietly, but
with his heart beating wildly, Il want
4 word with you, Stephen"
Say on my dear Jack If there Is
anything | can do for you--"
Yes, there is, said Jack. 81 want
ito know want you to tell me-
something respecting Miss Rolfe."
Miss Rolfe," said stephen, softly
YES" continued Jack. you'll want
to know. before | go any further, on
what grounds ask for information
III tell YOU, have asked Miss Rolfe
to be my wife.
Stephen fegned start of astonish-
ment.
MY dear Jack, isn't that rather sud
den-rather premature?"
1T may lie sudden, | don't know
whether it is premature; that's for
Miss Rolfe to decide. And she has de-
cided.'
stephen mostened his lips; they
burned like Goals.
"She has accepted you?'
she has" said Jack, who felt re-
uctant to utter one word more than
was necessary.
Stephen pulled up and held out his
hand.
My dear Jack, | congratulate you. |
congratulate YOU" he exclaimed, fer
vontly. You are indeed a happy
man"
Jack. Confounded, allowed his hand
to be wrung by the soft, white palm
that burned hot and dry
you are lucky fellow, my dear
Jack. Miss Rolfe is one in thous-
and. | question If there is a more
beautiful girl in London-and her dis,
position. You are indeed lucky fel.
low"
Thanks. thanks" said Jack, still
overwhelmed by this flood of good viii,
I"And now, perhaps you will tell me
what had better do in the affair! You
see | find her visiting-settled, rather,
at your mothers house, and neither
she nor your mother seem to know
why or wherefore"
Stephen interrupted him with a
pressure Of the arm.
Il understand, my dear Jack. your
anxiety for information is only natural.
| am very glad | came up this evening
very glad, And now as | feel
rather tired, would you mind coming
up to my rooms? and We'll have a