Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-01-27
Louis
CHAPTER Xxx.
Master and Slave.

CHAPTER Xxx.
Master and Slave.
BECOME dull care, nor fright my soul
With sickly apprehension.
BegOne, or in the flowing bowl
Stephen Hargrave waited in am
bush until he had ascertained that
Stella had put herself in possession Of
the letter, then with downcast face
and solid mien, went about his duties
of the day as silently and grimly as
ever.
Once or twice he glanced with a Pc
culiar expression at his young master
who worked at his statue all day with
enthusiastic ardor, as if his life de
pended upon his getting it done by a
certain time, but whenever Louis
spoke to him he answered as curtly
as usual, and Sir Richards secret was
safe
In the evening Louis left his studio
and sank into his easy-chair in the
d.ning-rOOm, quite tired out; but there
was satisfaction shining through all
the WEAKNESS upon his face. "Wen,
Stephen" he said, as the man put the
dinner on, SIS there any neWs?"
There was no occasion to specify
he description required; Stephen
knew as well as his master.
NO" he answered, gruf1y.
Louis sighed.
Have you not seen herr"
No"
Have you watched?'
81 have"
Well" said Louis, with another
wistful sigh, Il knew you would
watch we'll for me, Stephen, and that
l can trust you! I would give all the
world for a word from her tonight
You are sure the carriage has not left
the park?'
yes, am" said Stephen, moodiIy.
Hadn't you better eat your dinner?
You've been working like a horse and
the things are getting cold"
Louis was more tired and dfsap-
pointed than hungry, but he drew up
but well-cooked viands.
Then he took up his letters-long
blue ones, from the lawyers, and
sighed over them. and at last, without
word told Stephen to get his coat
and hat.
Il can't stop in the house tonight"
he murmured. Something seems to
weigh upon my spirits. If I were IN.
clined to believe in such things or
give way to them, should say that
had a strong presentiment of coming
i'll. l want to walk, fresh air, and
above all to see your sweet face, my
beautiful Stella. Well, if l cannot see
thee, the next best thing is to be near
thee"
Stephen helped him on with his
coat and handed him his hat
You're going out?" he said.
ct looks like it, Stephen" said
Louis, spontaneously.
ITO wander about the park and
catch your death of cold?"
That's as may be-" retorted Louis
little more coldIy. But you need
not stay at home or wait up for me, ii
you want to go to bed"
IN go out if it's all the same" said
Stephen.
Very WELL" said Louis, and button
ing his coat around him he walked
briskly through the hall into the
night, his face turned toward the Vale,
as most assuredly his heart and
thoughts were also.
Stephen Hargrave waited until
Louis had had time to get clear of the
immediate neighborhood of the Hut,
then wrapped himself up with some
thing approaching a disguise. and in
his usual roundabout, careful way.
reached the Box.
He gave the usual signal, but there
came no response. Again he whistled,
and without eliciting an answer.
Twice or thrice more the suppressed
owls shrek which he had been or
dered to initiate left his lips, then,
impatient to reach the Hut again be-
fore Louis, he stole up to the win
dow and tapped at it.
Against the blind he could see the
shadow of Sir Richards head thrown
in bent position, as if he were
asleep.
Very quietly and gently he tapped
the window with his finger nails, but
the shadow did not move. Then at
last, fearful of the delay and danger
it engendered, lie crept up to the
door, and quietly opened it and en-
tered tho room
At glance he saw that Sir Richard
he'd fallen asleep over his desk. ana
for a few moments he stood with the
door in his. hand, watching him.
Then he closed the door, and went
up to his usual chair, seated hims SIT