Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-10
Continued.

NO, l all SURE llS uOOS AOCS AZ
plies Rose Vavasour. eff be knew
anything about her, he would have
sought her-followed her; AMI he has
not Gone that No, at all costs we
must keep that from him."
Lady Letchford looks up.
Rose you have been very good to
me. oYu will save him if you can?
II will make a strong effort" is the
smiling reply.
Meanwhile Heron sips his AS port.
1t is difficult for man to feel dis
satisfied and unhappy with such wine
following after such dinner.
For the first tine for month May s
sweet, bewitching face pales before
his mental vision. For the first time
for a month the restless WEAKNESS
gives place to a reposeful calm.
He finishes the nalf-bottle of price
less wine, and goes into the drawing
room.
An air of restful repose seems to
Dervadc the room. On one side OF the
FIRE his mother sits in her high-backed
chair, and on the other Rose Vavasour
lounges on a spacious ottoman; the
tea-urn steams on a table between
them.
AS he enters Rose gathers her long
train together and makes room for
him.
"Tea is only just ill.," she says;
'let me give you some"
And she fills a dainty Sevres cup
for him and puts it in his hand with a
smile.
Heron stretched out his long legs
before the fire and sips his tea. Lady
Letchford appears to be doing.
"Yoh are quite stranger" says
Rose, smiling forward at him. "Why
do you not come and see us oftener?"
He looks at the fire silently for a
moment.
81 have been about great deal late
ly."
eff you have been amusing your
self, that is quite sufficient excuse"
He smiles grinlly.
81 don't know that | have been
amusing myself. Does any one be-
tween the ages of fifty and sixty ever
amuse himself?"
She laughs softly.
Eyes; DO. I have been amusing
myself, anu am not sixty-quite."
He raises his eyes slowly, and lets
them rest on her. No. she is not
sixty-she is young, too young for a
professional beauty. He looks at
how x1-;tIo n co1co Of n1oo cura which ic
quite novel to him; there is something
ABOUT her tonight which strikes him as
novel and strange; he certainly
thought he knew the face most mi
nutely-.as indeed did most people,
seeing that her portrait could be
bought-in many attitudes and divers
expressions-in every fancy shop in
London, he certainly thought he knew
the face, and yet tonight there was an
added charm about it, a touch of ten
derness and melancholy softness, that
was like balm to his Wearied spirit
He thought that it was because she
HAD grown more beautiful in reality,
in reality. it is because he, thought
far from feeling it, is worn out, body
and spirit; and the exquisite lowell
ness tells upon him like toned music.
He does not know it, would laugh at
any one who should presume to tell
him so, but the hard life which would
have crushed less ironlike constitu-
ton, has done it's work even with him;
incessant dissipation and restless
nights are far more fatal than broken
hearts.
Let me give you some more tea?"
she says. ''Then I must go, think"
He raised himself and looked up.
eco? Where? Oh, yes, to the
Merivales! Must you go tonight?"
She hesitates, and moves the dainty
band-screen slowly to and fro.
ri am afraid l have half promised"
Half promises are less reliable even
than pie crusts. Whom have you
promised?"
She hesitates again, and shifts the
screen so that he cannot see her face.
lord Cornvale," she replies.
Heron raises his head and frowns;
then he gets up slowly and stands
with his back to the fire, looking down
at the hearthrug.
'They are to have large party for
this time of the year; I fancy it is got
up for him. Will you not come with
me?"
NO." he says, abruptly.
She does not look offended: indeed,
rather a faint light Of satisfaction
CLEANS in her blue eyes. If she can
but pique him into anger and resent
ment she will gain all she wants.
mo, suppose not" she says. "You
must be tired. You were hunting
Yesterday, were you not? They said
that you had a wonderful run. Do you
like your new horse?"
He mods absently, his mind is halt,
ing in the balance. Shall he ask her
to stay, or shall he let her go. and re-
sign her to the old, worm-worn roue?
10 ~