Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-12-12


me to take hundred or two"
Leonard shook his head.
"All can tell you is, that he was
simply furious. He said that he must
and would have some money, that if
you did not pay him he would"
'Well?" said Jack, grimly
THAT he would put you through the
court said Leonard.
Jack turned pale
What am to do?" he said. Il
have been relying on the commission
ership that Stephen promised, and
Moss seemed quite willing to wait.
I can't find any money
Leonard shook his head.
"The man was furious. worse than
I have ever seen him. You will have
to find some money somewhere. How
much do you owe him?"
Jack tilted his hat on one side and
scratched his head.
Hanged if know. He has let me
have a great deal lately. Five hun
dred, perhaps"
Jack, you have been fool" said
/ L
use counting upon the place your
consin Stephen promised you"
! 81 don't os much care for myself but
Una, Una said Jack, with groan.
Then he jumped up. LET us go and
get some dinner and think it over"
They went to a well-known house
in Strand, and Jack, careless Jack, or
dered a dinner fit for a prince, and
enjoyed it as he would have enjoyed it
if he had been going to be hanged on
the morrow.
j II don't understand Moss he said.
/ Gle was everything that was agree
able and pleasant a few days ago."
''And today he was like wolf hunt
ing for a bone" asid Leonard. Hello,
who's this?" for gentleman had en-
tered the dining-room and approached
their table.
''Why, it's Stephen" exclaimed
Jack, forgetting Moss in moment.
'Just in time, Stephen we'll have an
other bottle of claret up. What oA
earth brings you to town? And how is
how are they all?"
Stephen sat down with grave smile,
and just slipped the claret, the best the
house had on its list And he sat
and talked till the wine was finished,
the greater part of which Jack drank,
then he said:
Jack, I want you to come to my
chambers; have something to tell
you"
''All right" said Jack. Leonard can
find his way home very we'll"
Stephen called a hanson, and they
were ratified away to the Albany.
AS they assembled the stairs, Stephen
laid his hand on Jacks arm.
Jack, am sorry to say have bad
news for you. You will be calm
! bad news." said Jack, and his
heart stood still What is it? Una
! Yes said stephen; cit is about
Una. You will be calm, my dear
Jack?"
Jack leaned against the balustrade
and drew a long breath.
tIs she ill-dead?" he gasped.
Neither" said Stephen. Come, be
man.
81 am ready said Jack. eff she is
neither i'll nor dead I can bear any
thing else
i Stephen opened the door, and Jack,
entering, saw Gideon Rolfe standing on
the hearthrug.
''Mr. Rolfe!" he exclaimed. How do
you do? I am very glad to see you!'
and he held out his hand.
Gideon Rolfe nodded and turned
aside
What is it? What is the matter?"
asked Jack, turning to Stephen, who
had carefully closed the door and stood
with knitted brow and sad counter
ance.
At Jacks question he glanced at
Rolfe, and then, with a sigh, said:
Eyes, Jack, I will tell you 1t will
come better from me than Mr. Rolfe.
Jack, you were right in suspecting that
the business referred to Una. She is
quite well-and happy. But-but l
am afraid yor engagement must
cease
At this, Jacks calmnes came back to
him, and with something like smile,
he said scornfully:
Indeed"
"Yes' said Gideon Rolfe, but Stephen
held up his hand and silenced him.
! Perhaps you will tell me for what
Ireason?" said Jack, quietly.
For a sad, very sad reason" said
Stephen in subdued and mournful
tone. Jack, my heart bleeds for
you"
Never mind your heart" said Jack,
CURLY. "Come to the point, Stephen
81 sympathize with you deeply" con-
tinued Stephen, not at all affronted.
"The fact is, Mr.. Rolfe has tonight
made communication respecting our
dear young friend which has complete
ly overwhelmed me-"
| - - Il. 49,