Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1908-12-02
CHAPTER XVI.
An Imp of Darkness.

Hceman from TavlStOck, young and
sleepy man, who was paying her his
addresses, had appeared at the kit
chen window and coughed. He was
off duty. and Jane thought it hard
that she should be on when he was
off, So Eve had let her depart with
her lover.
Well said Mr.. Jordan, who was
still in bed, what is it? Do you want
me?'
have come to ask your permission
to leave for a few days. I must go
to my father who is dying. will re-
turn as soon as l can
Ewes great blue eyes opened with
amazement You said nothing about
this ten minutes ago
4 did not know it then
What exclaimed Mr.. Jordan, try
ing to rise on his elbow, and his
eyes frightening, Ezekiel Babb dy-
ing! Is justice overtaking him at
last?'
L hear that he is dying, said JAS
per; 1T is my duty to go to him.
If he dies, said Mr.. Jordan, to
whom will his property go?'
Probably to me; but it is premature
TO inquire
Not at ALL My Eve has been
robbed
'Sir!' said Jasper gravely, Il under
took to repay that sum as soon as it
should be in my power to do so, rrin-
6ir irafn 7 n
mission sir?' He bowed and withdrew.
At supper Barbara looked around,
and noticed the absence of Jasper
Babb, but said nothing
You need not look at that empty
chair said Eve; Mr.. Jasper will not
be here. He is gone
Gone where?'
Called away suddenly. His father
is dying
Barbara raised her brows. She was
greatly puzzled. She sat playing with
her fork, and presently said, This is
very odd-who brought the news?'
I saw no one He came in almost
directly after we left him on the RAJ
ven Rock
But no one came up to the house
~ oh, yes-Joseph Woodman. James
sweetheart, the policeman.
He cannot have brought the news
L do not think Mr.. Jasper saw him,
but l cannot say.
I cannot understand it, Eve unused
Barbara. What is more, do not be-
lieve It..
Barbara was more puzzled and dis
turbed than she chose to show How
could Jasper have received news of
his father? If the old man had sent
a messenger that messenger would
have come to the house and rested
there, and been refreshed with glass
of cider and cake and cold beef. No
one had been to the house but the
police man, and a policeman was not
likely to made the vehicle of commun-
ication between old Babb and his son,
living in concealment More prob
ably Jasper had noticed that a police
man was lowering about Morwell, had
taken alarm, and absented himself.
Then that story of Jacob serving
for Rachel and being given Leah came
back to her Was it not being in
part enacted before her eyes? Was
not Jasper there acting as steward to
her father, likely to remain there for
some years, and all the time with the
love of Eve consuming his heart?
And the seven years seemed unto him
lint 70 dow ho 1.-Two ho had n
her What of Eve? Would she come
10 care for him, and in her wilfulness
insist on having him? 1t could not
be. 1t must not be. Please God.
now that Jasper was gone, he would
not return. Then, again, her
question of Jasper's departure. He
could not go home. 1t was out of
the question his showing his face
again at Buckfastleigh. He would be
recognized and taken Immediately |
Why did he invent such a falsehood |
as an excuse for his disappearance? !
If he were made uneasy by the arriv- |
al of the Tavistock policeman at the
house. he might have found some /
other excuse, but to deliberately say I
that his father was dying and that he
must attend his deathbed, this was
moHstrous. |,
Eve remained till late. sitting in the !
parlor without a light. The servant /
maids were all out Their eagerness
to attend PLACES of worship on Sun
day evenings0showed a strong spirit
of devotion; and the lateness of the
hour to which those acts of worship
detained them proved also that their
piety was of stubborn and enduring i
quality. Generally, one of the maids |
remained at home. but on this occa-
sion Barbara and Eve had allowed |
Jane to go out when she had laid the |
fohln fnr c1nrr L LII