Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-07-28
~|---=7--
CHAPTER VII.
4 MORNING RIDE.

at his unexpected appearance, she
paused as he came up to her with the
words
you have been so long, Margaret.
Did you enjoy your visit SO much? why
didn't YOU let those people wait, and
give me just little Of your company
I haven't much chance. l am going
away tomorrow"
morrow" She grasped her raised
skirt more tightly, but no further COM
gnent escaped her lips.
Taking this for Indifference, Brian
continued, after a brief pause: dare
say I shall never see you again. OF
course you will not regret that, but be-
tore l go, I should like to know that you
forgive me- If you only knew how [
aave suffered! II you could realize how
still suffer, you would be kinder. 1t
as so hard to lose all, Margaret.
Have been so unkind? / am sorry.
Have [ not told you that 1 regret,
with a bitterness I cannot express, the
conditions which make me mistress
aere? If there is any way
Ho interrupted her with passionate
reproach. You do me injustice. Do
YOU suppose I was abiding to the
money? | hate the very mention Of it.
I leave it out Of the question. l am
thinking of you"
She tapped her foot with her riding
whip, and despite the effort to control
4ler countenance, an incredulous e1-
preston passed over it.
You don't believe me" he cried
passionately We'll, deserve that at
your hands, but truth is truth. The
very sight of your kindness to others
naddens me. [ see how they are favored,
and l remember your hardness to me.
,I,I xxI,n II tn
you as you pass. They can be happy
without your love. [ cannot You need
mot look your dislike, 1 feel it. l am
destined to offend you so much since I
saw you in that place, where only my
evil fate led me, that | feel no sacrifice
could be too great for your sake.
Ism t the sensation novel one?" she
asked, steeled to hardness by some in
ward remembrance Il believe we
agreed to leave me out Of the question.
Brian ground his heel with an ex-
,clamation of impatience. 1T is useless
TO hope" he answered bitterly. You
will never forget. Hate me if you WILL
out do not show such contemptuous in
difference"
IL is not charitable to hate, and for
,-etTulness does not come so easily as we
might wish"
No." he replied, stung to re;oinder.
L have something to remember, too
She paled perceptibly.
You are generous, was her passion
ate answer. Now perhaps you will
allow me to pass.
All, no! Margaret, not yet. I can't
see you go from me so. Forgive me for
what just said. | meant nothing. I
spend half my time in regretting what
mas gone before. | cannot stand your
anger. Why is all the gentleness in
your nature turned against me only?"
y do not know" she answered, half
aabsently, while her face softened visi-
bly,. Have you anything to ask me?"
Nothing that you will grant, unless,
perhaps, it is permission to ride with
you tomorrow. Will you allow me that
p&easure?"
"Iride early, she answered with hest
'tation, but if you care to forego your
morning nap have no objection"
Thank you. You will see how glad
ay I'll forego that morning nap"
L really didn't expect to see you"
Margaret confessed, when they were
10th in the saddle next morning. Il
Thought"
How could you doubt me?" he inter
Eupted, with some reproach. Il am only
TOO happy to take advantage of this last
chance to spend little while with you.
TIL soon be out of your life entirely. l
3ind it hard to tear myself away"
He sighed. His sigh was echoed
close beside him, but Margaret's face
was impenetrable
What a glorious morning." she re-
marked rather irrelevantly. I'VE shall
have delightful ride.
Are you so fond Of riding" he asked,
noting her high color and flashing eyes.
~Passionately. feel so light-hearted
when | am in the saddle. An hour like
this is particularly inspiriting. l love
tho GOODNESS and the restful quiet and
<sove the fresh morning air.
You love the night air, too.
Her face flushed at the words.
~I suppose you heard me in the gar
den last night?" she said, bending her
head with the pretext of untangling her
horses name. The night was perfect,
and I couldn't withstand the tempta-
eion. l hope you will not speak of it
TO Miss Hilton. She may begin to
worry her dear head about me, when
really l was only nervous and wake
full"
And you adopted that plan for WOO
ang sleep? Couldn't you have found a
more prundent and more effectual
one?"
L hate prudence, she broke in, with
a suspicion of Impotence; sin fact, I
revel in imprudence,
I've had ample proof of that, was
his tranquil reply. Why didn't you let
me play Esculaplus, if only to vindicate
my diploma. you know"
The idea didn't suggest itself to me,
and don't believe I'll care to be ex-
perimcnted on, anyway. A diploma
isn't q guarantee IF ability, you know"
No one can accuse you OF kissing the
biarney stone. he returned, rather
ggrimIy. Sometimes l begin to fear
you are too truthful.
No one can be that. There is The
Cedars. No one about. suppose Col.
Barton is an old friend of yours?"