Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-01-05
Continued.

Stephen left her to herself, but
would not remain silent, chatting with,
or rather to, Mrs. Dayenant In strain
Of easy cheerfulness, his eyes wander
ing to the pale face just showing above
the pile Of furs.
Their hoofs ringing on the road,
which few hours Of early frost had
made hard the horses, the finest pair
in the country, for Stephen was criti-
cal in such matters and liked the best,
spun the distance, and again, almost
punctual to the minute, the village Of
Netherton, to which stephen had sent
the change Of horses, was reached
Summers stepped down from the
box, and was seen to enter the inn
yard.
1.-THE horses ought to be out and
waiting" said Stephen, with little i'm.
patience.
A moment or two passed, and then
Summers came to the carriage door.
stephen Jumped out.
the horses to?"--for the others had
been taken out and were standing In
the stable,
Summers, for the first time in his
life, changed color and hesitated.
There has been some mistake, sir,
Mistake"
The horses are not here"
stephen glared at him.
Il can't understand Il, sir. gave
your orders most infinitely but George
has taken the horses on To Clumley.
stephen bit HIS lip and glanced at
the carriage.
Put the others back" he said, "and
tell Masters to drive for his life"
Summers hesitated and went to the
coachman, coming back In moment
with an uneasy countenance.
"Im-l'm afraid they won't reach
Clumley in time sir. he said Mas.
tors says that IT IS impossible Cal.
culating on fresh horses, he has forced
them n bit on the road, and they are
used up. If you will look at them,
sir"
Stephen uttered an oath and his
face twitched.
The coachman cam up, troubled but
respectful. It was no fault Of his.
Il thought ! should get the change
here sir couldn't do IT, unless the
horses had quarter of an hour and
n wipe down and then"
He paused and shook his head
stephen controlled himself though
HIS face was white.
"a quarter of an hour" he said. |
1--WE will wait SO long and not mo-
ment longer, Then drive as If your
life depended ON IT, no not spare the
horses"
Thon he won't to the carriage and
forced smile,
"a little delay" lie said checrfully.
would you Ike to get out for quar-
ter of an hour, darling"
Una shook her head
Il do not care; but Mrs Davenant
looked at her and spoke out
"Yos, stephen" she said. my dear,
You are half frozen.
stephen went to the window of tho
Inn and looked into the room, then
went back.
Come" he said, "Thero is pleas
ant llro. A rest and the warmth will
do YOU good. Come" and, wrapping
n huge fur round her. he took her on
his arm and entered tho inn.
Mrs. Davenant followed into the
room, A fire was burning In the old. |
chair near to the welcome blaze and
led Una to 1t, White and Indifferent
she sat and looked at the flames,
III is only for a few minutes, darling,
then we shall be Off. Come drink
somo of this" and he held glass of
not spirit and water to her hand
Una shook her head.
"Thanks, | could not" she said sim
ply.
stephen motionod to his mother,
See that she takes some" he said,
in u low voice Il will 20 and look
after the horses" and he turned, As
he did so the door opened and lady
entered,
For a moment, in the dim light OF the
low room, stephen did not recognize
her, then chill fell ON him as If n
cold hand had laid on his heart He
staggered back, and then she raised
her veil aud looked at him,
Not word passed, Face to face,
eye to eye, they stood A moment
passed Una had not looked round
only Mrs nnvonant stood speochless
and trembling. Then, as IL with an
effort, stephen rogainod possession of
his quaking soul and stole nearer TO
her.
Laura he whispered, glancing be.
hind him, You hercP You want
me? Well. let us come outside
a smile. calm and scornfuL flashed
from her dark face
You cannot pass, she said.
Wild devil leaped. full grown, into
his bosom, and he raised his hand to
strike her, but the next instant he was
gragped by the shoulder and flung