Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-01-02

when will you be back, Stephen?" she
asked, pitiably 'I-I-you won't be
long, Stephen? ! shall miss her So"
Stephen patted ahersoneth shoulder.
Don't be afraid, mother. We shall
not be away too long. i am too proud
of my beautiful bride to hide her
! away. / want to see her here, mistress
| of the Hurst. My wife. my wife
Hush! here she comes. Do not up
set her"
And, with quick, noiseless step, he
went out as Una entered. 8lafgg
Framed in the doorway, she stood
/ for a moment like a picture. Paler
and slighter than in the old days, she
! had lost none of her beauty. Stephen
had cause to be proud of his bride.
There would be no lovelier woman in
/. Wealdshire, than : the future mistress
jof the Hurst. And yet, il. Jack could
have seen her that moment, what
agony her face would have cost him;
/ for his eyes, quickened by his pas.
ltsionate love, would have read and
understood that subtle change that had
fallen on the beautiful face; would
have read the settled melancholy
which sat enthroned on the dark eyes,
and gave them the dreamy, far-away
look which never left them for NC
ment. ,rs y. e.susge,! qfa444. Fl
"Communing with the past, she walk
alive, yet dead to all the world"
/ Slowly she crossed the room, and
stood just where Stephen had stood,
and looked into the fire; but not as he
had looked--triumphantly, joyfully;
but with an absent, dreamy air.
Mrs. Davenant put out her hand and
touched her arm.
"Una!" 3t7i
She7t turned her head, and looked at
her lquestioningly with a weary, unin
Iterested gaze. asa -airote saw ta.ya d
"Una, he-Stephen has told me, Oh,
my darling, hope you will be happy"
/ Una smiled cold, mechanical
smile.
Happy? Yes, he says I shall be
happy. Do you think and she looked
calmly at the anxious nervous face,
"do you think i shall be happy"
Mrs. Davenant drew her toward her.
MY dear, you frighten me. You
you are $3.50 strange and cold. Cold.
Your hands are like ice. Oh, Una, do
you know what it means-this that you
are going to do? 1t is not too late,
Think, Una. You know how | love
you, dear. That | would give all the
world to call you-what you are, my
heart of hearts-my own daughter.
But, oh, Una! if you think, if you are
not quite sure that you will be hap
Ply" wH a4s
Una looked straight at the fire.
"He says so" she said, in the same
hard, cold voice; che is clever and
wise. He is your son; why do you doubt
him ?" ,. b-n -
Mrs. Davenant ,shivered.
I'll don't doubt him, dear. Yes, he
lis my son; ne has been a good son to
me. But you are to be his wife;
think. s.ss. 0i HWNssl 8as 6s
81, have thought" said Una, quietly.
1t will make him happy-he says so;
and the rest does not matter to me
Yes, l have thought; l am tired with
thinking" and she put her hand to!
her brow with sharp gesture, half
wild, half weary. 81 will make him
happy, and I shall always be with you,
whom | love. What does the rest
matter?" }63et iafs !
Mrs. Davenant utteredia little moan
s"And--and have you quite forgot
ten?"
Una looked at her calmly, butwith al
faint shadow in her eyes and a touch
Of pain on her lips.
forgotten! No, l shall not forget
until am dead; perhaps not then;
who knows ?" and the dreamy look,
came back. afsBut that cannot matter.
He, Stephen, is content; I have told
him all, and he is content. He. Isl
easily satisfied" And for the first
time smile Of bitterness crossed her,
lip. g "Why should he love me SOP
she said, CURLY. why should he
be so anxious to make me his wife?