Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-09-29


rived in front of the Hoffman House he
ran across Wilson, and feeling rather
glad of this chance encounter he greeted
him warmly.
This is really the first moment |
could call my own to-day, declared
Wilson, taking a cigar from the case
Beytie offered him. where is your
destination"
Il was Just trying to decide, was
Berries answer. L dropped in to see
Margaret and [ haven't recovered from
the shock her appearance gave me yet.
[ never saw her look more wretched and
i'll, though l am inclined to think the
cause is not entirely physical"
No. Other influences at work How
die you leave her?"
Alone" was the contentious reply.
Alone" repeated Wilson. Then,
Brian"
Is off disgracing himself, responded
BERTHE with much anger. He ought to
be thrashed.
Wilson's face grew very grave.
Il had hoped things might be better,
he said, with a sigh
They will never be better. [ be-
lieve Brian has lost his last grain of
manhood. He is worse than a coward.
II he had a heartle IS, selfish wife there
might be some reason, though never an
excuse for his actions. But now there
is absolutely nothing that one can say
for him. He is simply breaking Mar
garet's heart. Ii you had seen her a
year ago you could realize what a
change these last months have wrought
in her. 1t is his doing; all his doing.
After she has left her home, her friends,
and all she loves, for his sake My
heart swells with indignation at the
thought. [ know how she loves Elm
wood, and d.slikes New York. Yet
after all this, she'll continue to talk of
duty. Women ale enigmas; / give
them up. I'd like to thrash Brian,
though. 1t might possibly do him
good"
Il can't understand him." remarked
Wilson, half absently.
No, nor can any one else. He doesn't
seem worth the understa nding. I'll
have to find him somehow. and send
him home. I can't bear the thought of
Margaret waiting in such anxious dread,
not knowing whether he is tumbling
about in the gutter Or disgracing him
self in some other way. Are we at your
quarters already? How fast we must
have walked! No; [ can't come in to-
night. Some other time, old fellow.
Til have to make the round of the club
houses, L dare say. Well, goodnight.
BERTHE did not find Brian, as he had
expected, in any Of his probable haunts,
though he went to them all, anxiou5ly
examined the sea OF faces, and even
questioned the walters and attendants.
Rather disheartened after this vain
search, he scarcely knew where to go
Tn no in a
act of turning q street corner when the
full glare of the street lamps falling
upon figure in front of him revealed
something very familiar in its outlines.
Brian he said, under his breath.
Yes, walking with the uncertain
gait that only confirmed his fears. He
thought of Margaret, and angry indig-
nation overpowered him; but this same
thought brought another, aud under it's
impulse he managed to control himself.
With a few hasty strides he was by
Brian's side, and, placing his hand
rather heavily upon his shoulder, he
asked, roughly:
Where are you going? Come homer"
Homer" repeated Brian, startled into
understanding and shrinking under
Berries glance Home to face her?
Never A few days ago promised her
I would not t UGH another drop. Yes,
promised. A farce, WASH it? SOlemnly
promised. You see me tonight. Go
home, you say. Go home to see her
shrink from me! To see her blush for
mel TO seq All, heavens, no"
These DIS made 10 impression on
BERTHE.
Don't add villainy to cowardice, he
said, with flashing eyes. Come, [ say.
If you have no self-respect, remember
her, and have at least the .decency to
hide your disgrace under your own roof.
You shall not break her heart; you shall
not ruin her life. I'll shoot you first.
Ruin her life" echoed Brian, burying
his face in his hands. "My God, did
not intend to 1uin her life.
BERTHE said no more. Perhaps even
he felt some pity for Brian's evident
agony, or perhaps he feared that words
now would express too much Of the an
ger which burned within him. There
are men who can never understand the
depths to which others can fall.
Quite silent he walked by Brian, and
only left him when the door had closed
upon him.
From her own room Margaret heard
the faltering step, and knew that Brian
had come, but even the great relief of
this knowledge did not bring her sleep.
All night she tossed restlessly, her mind
a prey to miserable doubts and hopeless
longings, and when morning came her
face told it's own story.
TO BE CONTINUED