Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-22
Continued

we. greatly interested. in the charge Of
a certain person nan'ci GIDEON ROlfe."
We'll. did he tell you any more than
thatg"
stephen made a gesture in the
negative.
So said Gideon Rolfe. he left fl
10 me 20 tell the story OF his crime.
You are Ralph Davenant's nephew.
You ere the nephew Of a villain and a
scoundreli"
Il was true, Their. that the man knew
nothing OF the secret marriage OF
Ralph Davenant and Caroline Hatfield.
"A scoundrel and a villain!" repeat
ed Gideon. leaning forward and clutch
ing the table. you say that he told
Won the story Of his crime, CLOSED
over and falsifiCd. Hear IL from me.
Your uncle and 7 were schOolfellows
and friends. I was the son Of the
schooImaster at Hurst Your uncle
left school to go to college. I remain
"a az Hurst in my fathers house.
could have gone to college also, but l
would not leave Hurst, for I was Ia
love. I loved Caroline Hatfield. She
was the daughter Of the gamekeeper
on the Hurst estate, and we were TO
be married. Two months before the
day fixed for our marriage your uncle,
nv friend-my friend,-Came home to
spend the vacation. We were friends
stiu. and I-Cursed fool that I was
took him to the gamekeeper's lodge 70
introduce him. 70 my sweetheart. Six
weeks afterward he and she had fed"
Stephen watched him closely. HIS
heart beating wildly.
They had fed" continued Gideon,
in "a broken voice. My life was end
ed on the day they brought me the
news. I left Hurst Leigh and came
here. A year later she came back to
me-Came back to me to die. She
Csed and left NE. She left me her
child. II loved her still and swore
10 protect that child, and I have done
so. There is my story. What have
you to say?"
1T is terrible, terrible!" he ex-
claimed.
L have kept my VOW. Her child
has grown up ignorant OF the shame
which Is her heritage. Here, buried
in the heart Of the forest, away from
the world. I have kept and guarded
her for her mothers sake. There is
the story. told without gloss or false
hood. What have you 10 say?"
You have discharged your self-ap-
pointed trust most nObly, But-but
that trust has come TO an end"
WHO says 500"
y say so. You have done your duty
more than your duty must do
mine Ny uncle. on his deathbej, be
uueathed his daughter 10 my charge. "
ITO yOurs?"
ITO mine" said stephen, gravely.
Where is your authority"
That I do not come without
authority IS proven by the mere fact
Of my presence here and by my
knowledge Of my uncle's secret No.
one but yourself. your wife and
know OF the real identity OF this girl.
To was my uncle's wish that the story
Of her birth should still remain a
secret-.hat IL should be buried. as IL
were. IN his grave. Why should the
poor girl ever learn the truth, when
such knowledge can only bring her
shame and modification?
Grant that" said Gideon, where
could she better be hidden than here?
Her secret. her very existence. have
been concealed from the world"
"Trut. but-but the future, my dear
slr-the future. You are not a young
man"
Il am stiu young enough to protect
her"
NY dear Mr.. Rolfe, you may live
you look as II you wOuld-to be a
hundred: you have discharged your
selfimposed task most nObly, but yoN
must not forget that it has now de-
vOIved upon one who is bound by ties
o blood 20 fulfill il. IL not so well, GER
taiuIy with the best intentions. Mr.
RoIfe. / am the young girls cousin"
You speak Of ties Of blood; say
rather. the ties Of shame, Suppose
7 say suppose-that I refuse to deliver
her up 10 your care?"
Il do not think you VIII do that
You forget that. after all. we have
little choice I'm the matter"
Gideon Rolfe eyed him questioning
y.
The young girl. is now Of age
and"
GO on"
and supposing that you were to
refuse TO hand her over to my charge,
I should feel compelled 10 tell the
story Of her life, and. Pray-pray
be calm. I beg you TO remember that
7 am not here Of my own desire; that
I am merely fulfilling my duty 10 my
uncle. and endeavoring TO obey his
last wishes. do not blame you foi
your reluctance TO part with her. II
does you credit, my dear Mr.. Rolfe-
infinite credit But duty-duty; we
rnusf all do our duty"