Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-01-27
CHAPTER XIX.
Dark Wood.

to the grlmS SlleuL reno" anu "oSS wv
easy natured to resent anything ne
did In the way of neglect or roughness
Of manner.
So Stephen HargraVe crept along
through the darkness, his head bent
upon his breast, his hands thrust into
bis pockets and his face grim and SET
revealing nothing Of the feeling
which worked like hot lava under the
volcanic crater in his bosom.
Arrived at the Box he gave the US
uaI signal, and Sir Richard, who lad
returned two days previously, softly
opened the door for him.
well" he said. as the silent man
passed in and stood with his rough
cap in his hand. You have something
to tell me?"
Stephen nodded.
News" he said.
sit down." said Sir Richard, point
ing to a chair.
Stephen sat down and fixed his
dark, brooding eyes on the fire.
Sir Richard looked at him with his
keen, hawk-like eyes as if he would
read his soul.
you have brought something's" he
said.
The man started and looked up half
fearfuIly.
How do you know that?" he
growled, beneath his breath. Il have. "
A letter." said Sir Richard.
Stephen nodded.
Give it to me" said Sir Richard,
holding out his hand.
Stephen gave him the letter, and
with a calm smile he took it from the
envelope and read it.
Good, very good Poetry in it's
way!" he murmured, with a sneer
But it is an answer. Where is her
letter."
Gould l snatch that from his
breast, master?" said Stephen. mot
unless l murdered him first, and you
haven't ordered me to do that yet
mo, but if l did you would do it,"
said Sir Richard, facing him with a
calm, stern regard.
Eyes, l suppose So" said Stephen
with long sigh that was almost d
smile.
Be thankful then that l do not bid
you walk to the gaIIows!" said Sir
Richard. What was her letter? you
read it?''
And in mOnotOnOus tones he repeat
ed the contents Of Stella's note.
Good" said Sir Richard again
Nov there is work for you to DO
First l want you to take a letter from
him, but not this. This goes where all
such trash should 60" and with a
smile he flung it on the fire.
Then he arose and filled a IiqueuI
glass with brandy and handed it tc
his slave.
Drink it." he said.
Stephen took the glass and eyed
Sir Richard over it with a look that
said plainly, Nov comes the dark
work for which you saved and re
served mel"
Sir Richard returned to his desk
and taking a sheet of paper wrote a
short note, pausing twice or thrice
anu C1G 1tLoG AIdhlu5 q Satisfactorily
copy, threw the drafts on the fire,
placed the copy in an envelope and
directed it to Miss Newton, The
Vale"
Here is the note" he said at last.
Deliver it to her in the place of the
one you received from Louis FELTON,.
When you have delivered it come and
tell me, That is all for the present.
Afterward there will be some work
Cor you to do. I depend upon your do
ing it; am l deceived?"
IN do it," said Stephen, gruffly.
You are my master"
Il am glad to find you so grateful, ="
said Sir Richard. But for meas nc
doubt you remember-you would be in
prison now, your character gone,
your self-respect forever-branded as
a vagabond and a jail-bird."
The mans face paled, his lips
quivered, and he struck his cap with
his fist
You're right" he said; you saved
me; I can't forget it,"
The next morning Stella saw from
the dressing-room, the windows of
which looked out at the side of the
mouse on to a small shrubbery, a man
sulking in the shadow of the Iaurels.
She had seen him once or twice be-
fore that week. and she recognized
him Immediately. Her heart beat fast
and the color crimsoned her beautiful
face
He has brought a letter for me"
she muttered. y know it, I know it,!
Oh, my love, every minute will seem
an hour until it lies upon my heart.
But how am I to get it?'
As if in answer to her mental ques-
ton, Stephen made a gesture as if
demanding attention.
She made a movement with her
hand to signify that she saw him,
and then, after looking carefully over
the house and around about him.
stephen tilted up the vase which
stood on a pedestal and placing the
letter under it dropped it into its
place again!
Careful, faithful stephen" she
murmured.
And hurriedly dressing herself she
found an opportunity of getting on to
the lawn.
With greatest care she strolled in
to the shrubbery and secured her
precious letter.
7 Or,Ss