Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-10-27
CHAPTER XIV.
RACHEL's CONFESSION.

Brian at first was content to lie still
and watch Margaret, but as he grew
stronger he would ask her to sing or
talk to him, and then would she tell him
again and again of the bitter regret and
remorse which had filled those three
long miserable weeks.
How cruel I was, he whispered. Il
did not know what I was saying. I
could never reproach you You have
done more Ior me than | can ever speak
OF. Always my true, loyal wife. Al
ways making sacrifices for me. It was
such dear, tender heart that longed
for just a tender spot in it,
A very proud heart" she corr ected
gently.
only sometimes, And had it been a
thousand times more proud | should for
get it all in the JOY OF possessing it at
last"
you have possessed it all the time"
she confessed, burying her face from his
glance. 1t has been yours since we
were together at S'conset, Brian. ] did
not realize it myself, but now / know,
and am glad Of the suffering that taught
me-"
"Ah, darling, that I have been so
blind. When you married me I
thought
Yes, Brian, so did think. My sense
of justice felt outraged by uncle Ste
phen's will, and I persuaded myself
that I was marrying you to make amends
for that, and all the while my love for
you was pleading SO much more elo
quently than my love of justice. I have
kept it back SO long I wish you to know
all the truth now"
His eyes filed with an inexpressible
joy, as he lovingly stroked her bowed
head.
Rachel has made her confession at
last, he said, softly. and Jacob would
willingly live over his sufferings again
for the pleasure Of hearing such sweet
words. He is very happy now, for he
feels that this is his true wedding day,
and his life lies before him"
August was nearly gone, and he was
ONLY able to sit in his chair and allow
her to wait upon him.
They were together so one morning
when messenger arrived from The
Cedars with note for Margaret. She
read it hastily, and, with radiant face
and the words Il am so glad, handed
it 10 Brian.
"Gco1 news, he said, taking it from
her hand and reading the words aloud:
"Another BERTHE came somewhat I'M
expectedly with the sun this morning.
Alice hopes you will pay your immedi-
ate respects to his lordship.
BERTHE, SR."
BERTHE is evidently in the fifth heaven
of delight, commented Brian. Garry
my congratulations Margaret / sup
pose you are going.
Margaret, of course, fell in love with
the tiny bit of humanity, and fully
agreed with Alice that Cuthbert Barton
Junior was a very fine-lOohing young
man. She even fancied she discovered
likeness to BERTHE, though not par
ticularly striking one, as she told Brian
afterWard.
September came in very cool and the
invigorating air seemed to lnfuse new
life into Brian's veins.
you will not be able to impose upon
me much longer, he said to Margaret,
one morning. Til be strong enough to
rebel against your tyranny soon.
"As soon as YOU like, Brian, she an
swered, looking up from the roses she
had placed on the table beside him. l
think I've played nurse long enough.
If YOU do not get we'll very soon you
will grow so fat and lazy that I'll never
be able to get you out OF that chair.
He looked up into the face, which
had never seemed more sweet and low
able, and catching her hand held 1t
prisoner within his own.
Newer mind, he said, wait until |
am Gus of this for good Then | mean
to take my dear little nurse in hand
and make her fat and lazy, too. |
want to see some roses in her white
checks.
Il don It think you will ever be able to
coax them there, Brian. It is not their
element but the nurse feels that she
desires some petting and coddl.n she
has piyen YOU so much. What can she
do for YOU nowp Reads"
mo. my dear; talk. [ am a great
trial, am | not?"
ooh. yes. a dreadful trial, she re-
turned with half smile. But, she
added softly, Il could never do without
my trial. 49,
He caught her hand as she uttered the
last words and drew her Increasingly
to his knee.
Then came a sharp and unexpected
interruption, in Berries voice;
Hello. there! I don't want to DIS
turb such interesting proceedings, put
would like to know how soon TIE puolic
NAV be admitted. Such clvllltles-
"You are extremely impudent, crleo
Margaret, starting to her lee1 Win
brilliant blush. IF you do not learn
better manners I shall drop your ae-
please don t, ma am, Ineed your pro-
lection sadly. Ny respected father has
lust sent me from his presence with a
parting injunction to visit certain
Gentleman who is credited with warm
o,o,tars preferred coming mere
And. by the way, Br an, I've been CON-
missioned to inform you that you have
been INDUCING your laziness long
enough, and, therefore, you are expect as
cd to pay your respects at The Cedars
tonight. hr;, bar
".Tell Margaret to ONE ana orlhs nel
h.hand along wer the words OF my
renera ble father So, Margaret, please
Il wish you could be more dignified.
par+ia or a husband and a father