Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-01-02
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/ the storm was raging wild and p1tlless,
making the warm room seem like
harbor of refuge. Beside the fire sat
Mrs. Davenant, half doing over a
piece of finest needlework for the vii
lage working club. She was alone in
| the room, and every now and then
glanced anXiously toward the door.
Presently it opened, ard the tall figure
OF Stephen entered and crossed over
to her. 81 1h SER ~ es8
Mother" he said, and tkcre was a
tTemulous ring in his voice and a quiv-
er in his lips that were in marked
contrast to his usual smooth calm.
Mrs. Davenant looked up with a
glance of alarm. @Una!p she ex-
"Hush:", he said, laying his hand on
her shoulder. ''Una," and his voice
dwelt on the name. "Una is asleep.
She has gone to her owl room for a
little while Mother lie said, slowly,
she has consented" ru8s sf8
Mrs. DaYenant. looked up and trem-
bled: ooh, Stephen!"
He nodded, and stood before the fire,
looking UP with a Smile of undis-
e5lsed triumph and JOY. Eyes, she
has consented. 1t was--well hard
work; but my love ovcrnlastered her.
told her that you agreed with me
that the sooner the marriage took
place the better. You do. dc you
not?'a4 lie secg aT s0i iul oeiH y
4 Yes murmured Mrs Davenant.
"She wants change. nothing but
entire change of lie and thought will
do her good. Mother. If She remain
ed here, if something were not done,
she wolldp--he paused, and went on
noarsely, "she would die!''l3 yg4sda
Mrs. Davenant shudder4d and her
eyes filed. "My poor, POOR Una!"
she murmured.
Stephen moved impatiently "She
will not need your pity, mother.sA few
weeks. hence ard YOU Will have no rea-
son to pity her. I'll stake my life that
I bring her back here with the roses
III her cheeks, with the smile in her
eyes, as of old Mother, you do not
know what such love as mine can do"
and his voice t. embed with suppressed
passion.
Mrs. Davenant looked up at him.
tearfully --r-.sa4as-asi-.sa-as
"You-you are much changed,
Stephen" she murmured., wiA
II am he. said, with curt laugh.
81 am changed, am not? scarcely
know myself. And she has done it.
MY. beautiful queen, myslily. Yes, she
shall be. happy, if man can make her"
He was silent a moment, dwelling. on
his love and future, and looked, as he
spoke, much changed. Then he awoke
at question from his mother.
is it to be, Stephen?"ssA
Tomorrow" he said, quietly.
Tomorrow" gasped Mrs. Daven-
ant. .Impossible!" *-
"Not at ALL" he said, CURLY. Re
member, 1 told you not to be surprised,
that it would come suddenly"
He made a movemnt of impatience."
do you think | have not made prep
arations? See," and he took paper
from his pocket, 81 have had the Ii
cense for a week past. It is no ordi-
nary marriage. We want no brides
maid and wedding favors. She would
not have them-or me, ifsyou insisted
upon It. It is principallyaon the con-
dition that he ceremony shall be
quite private-secret almost that she
has consented"
+ Mrs. Dayenant stared at the fire.
Stephen. smiled.
irYou do not understand me, even
yet, mother" he said. did you ever
know anything fail me 2" vs.
{ Mrs. Davenant shuddered, or was it
the play of the freight?
Never" she said, in a low voice.
Stephen smiled again.
ST have seen this coming, have seen
my way to it for months past; l have
swept every: barrier away He
stopped suddenly and bit his lip "and
now for our plans, mother.sm Try and
collect yourself; this has surprised and
upset you,' he said, sharply.
= Mrs. Davenantysat up and looked at
him attentively4 "a A9
Tomorrow we start, without fuss or
bother, for Clumley. | have ordered
them to take a pair of horses to the
halfway house, SO that we can change
Without loss of time. have also sent
letter to the clergyman telling him
to be prepared for us, and keep his
own counsel. We shall reach Clum-
ley. travelling easily, by half-past ten
There will be no wedding. breakfast
thank Heaven! no fuss or ceremony
We shall. straight from the church
to London, and thence to. Paris: Ex
cepting ourselves and clergyman nc
lone can know anything of the matter
until the marriage is over, then
and he drew a long breath and smiled
| Mrs. Davenant, pale and trembling
stared UP at him. tRg1&E
"And-and Una? Does she agree tc