Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-24


and never gees to sleep"
And though they laugh increduIous-
", something Of the fabulous story
clings and holds.
"Letcnford Wold," says Vane, with
sudden yawn that hides vague en-
barrassInent. "Oh, he has taken a dis
like to the place; got tired of it,
suppose; besides, Lady Letchfori is
to live there. If you want him to go
with you, III better go and find him,
hadn't l." he adds.
DO" says the luke. Bring him
here, and we'll have bit of lunch be-
fore We starr
Vane mods, and saunters out.
Parks opens the doors to- him. and
that candid look of disappointment
which sits upon the face of one who
expects another than yourself.
well, Parks, Sir Heron up YETI"
up, Mr.. Vane! He amt back,
sir" says Parks.
"Not back, Ell ?" says Vane, entering
and throwing himself into the easiest
chair.
'No, sir" says poor Parks. 81 ex-
pected him back last night, and I sent
the brougham to meet the three last
trains; anil l sat up all night, thinking
that he might have gone down to the
Rookery, and would drop in for bath.
Rut he hasn't come. The breakfast
has been waiting since ten. and there
are no end of people coming this morn
ing by appointment men about the fur
niture and Miss Vavasour's ponies,
ana the courier. Haven't you seen
him, sir?"
NO says Vane.
Parks stands and looks at the table,
gloomily.
81 thought he'd be done with all this,
Mr.. Vane," he says, not complainingly,
but regretfully. Sir Heron has
seemed so much better in health and
spirits lately
Don't alarm yourself, Parks" says
Vane, che has lost the train. or stop
ped another night. You fret like an
old woman, my good fellow"
Parks shakes his head.
''You don't know Sir Heron as we'll
es 1 do, begging your pardon, sir;
am always anxious now. 1 see him
sometimes, sir, when he doesn't
know I'm in the room. and I don't
like the looks of him. There's some
thing on his mind. MIR. Vane.''
$50 there is on most of our minds,
my good Parks" says Vane. what
weighs most on my mind is the fact
that there is nothing in my pocket.
We've all got some skeleton in cup
board; by the way, have you got a
small bottle of pommery in that cup
board? this kind of conversation is
exhausting."
Parks, who thoroughly understands
MI. Vane Vavascur, opens bottle Of
champagne, an Vane sips it languidly.
Tell you what it is, Parks" he says,
this wedding will be the death of me.
When it is over l shall retire to
lunatic asylum to recover my balance
of mind. Sane people like Heron and
Miss Vavasour are too much for me-"
Hush, sir! There is Sir Heron,
and Parks, whose ears have been more
intent on the stairs than on Vane,
opens the door.
1t is Heron. Heron, enveloped in
an ulster, splashes of mud upon his
riding CATERS; his face white and hag-
gard, his eyes wild and wearied.
He comes in, and pauseS suddenly
at sight of Vane, then crosses the
room and stands before the fire.
'sHalloa," says Vane. Hero you
are at last. Where have you been?
Is anything the matter?" he adds,
staring ur at the haggard face.
Matter" is the retort. What
should be the matter Parks. brings
me something t.. drink"
Parks opens another bottle Of pom
merry, and pours out a glass, then,
with an anxious stare at his masters
face, noiselessly and reluctantly leaves
the room.
Heron takes up the glass. and Vane
notices that the hand trembles so that
the wine shakes over the brim.
"Can he have been drinking?" he
Heron drains the glass and sets it
down, then takes off his ulster and
drops into chair, locking around the
room with vacant stare.
Vane watches him for a minute in
silence. Intimate as he is with his
there are times in
which it is best to leave him to HIM
SELF and this is one of them.
At last Heron seems to remember
him.
"Have you been waiting long?" he
says.
NO." says Vane, not long. I have
just left Gretnor he wants us to go
down to Richmond on his coach.
Heron starts to his feet and PAGES
up and down the room. then he stops
and locks down at him.
81 cannot go; do not wait for me. 1
am tired"