Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-02-18
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tiful, ). the complexion rich and warm, the
lips full and mobile.
Frank was right in one particular"
was his mental comment, as he followed
Mary through the broad hall into the
ample parlor.
"Pll tell grandpa you have come, Mary
said again when they had reached this
room. "He is quite an invalid. fear
you will find us both rather prosy. We
have SO few visitors. AS rule, we dom
like them.
That is rather plain spoken, ism t it?"
she added with a slight accession of
color, "but you must understand what
mean. Grandpa has decided that we
shall be friends. He has been looking
forward to your visit for some time"
WELL" commented Jack, as she left
him to his me itations, Il must say can
not understand this extraordinary inter-
est in my humble self. If Frank holds
the key to the riddle, TIL have it,"
The riddle, as Jack called it, seemed
more of a riddle than ever, when a few
minutes later Mr.. Willard welcomed him
with the most cordial warmth.
Quite overpowered, Jack could only
murmur his thanks, while the old gen.
tleman followed up his first remarks by
Il number Of questions, most Of which,
he answered himself.
You are not like your father, my
boy" he said, sinking back in his chair,
and observing Jack with scrutinizing
interest. you don't remember him,
dare say. We were great friends. His
death affected me deeply, and it was only
quite recently and by the barest chance
that l heard of your existence. Well,
well, how time flies! But "reminiscences
are always painful; let us talk of some
thing more cheerful"
When supper was over, and Mary had
left them for a few moments, Mr.. Mil
lard began to dilate upon the beauties of
the country about them.
Il seldom go beyond my garden gate, p"
he concluded, "but Mary knows the To-
cality thoroughly"
Then [ hope Miss Mary will consent
to play the guide for my benefit, re-
marked Jack.
Yes, yes, put in the old gentleman;
"she will. AS l say, she knows the
place thoroughly. She has lived here
SO long and been SO much alone, it has
been a solitary existence for her-very
solitary. She has had no friends; no
social advantages. Her lack Of knowl-
edge on many points might impress q
stranger unfavOrably. I have fOreseen
all the possibilities arising from such
social isolation without possessing the
power to avert them. You will excuse
me for speaking in this way" he broke
off abruptly, as an expression Of pain
fitted across his face. "These thoughts
constantly obtrude themselves. They
pain me inexpressibly. I have broken
all my old ties. Mary is the one link
that holds me to earth--her welfare my
own interest in life"
These words, expressed with pecul-
lar earnestness, moved Jack deeply. lie
endeavored to put his own thoughts and
feelings into words, but found it well
nigh impossible to do so.
Miss Willard does not happen to miss
any of these advantages" he said at
last. perhaps lack OF worldly knowl
edge is to be preferred TO an excess.
She is"
"Grandpa, are you discussing me?"
Both gentlemen turned with a slight
start to see Mary standing in the open
doorway.
You were talking about me, she con-
tinued in a voice that held a hint Of
sharpness in it's usual clear tone. please
to have my say.
"a spoiled child, as you see, Beverly"
interrupted the old gentleman, with
quaint humor. Il have found it impos-
sible to deny her anything. Now I am
allowed no rights whatever. Sit down,
Mary; we will promise to be less personal
in future"
Long after he was in bed that night
Jacks thoughts constantly returned to
Mary. Her bright, changeful face, her
quaint, original sayings, even her very
gestures, he recalled with wonderful
yividneSs.
why didn't Frank give me some idea, !"
he asked himself The slightest hint
that | was to meet the most extraordi
narily f-opinionated young woman,
ever fashioned by the hands of the AL
mighty. How she would make some Of
Madam Grundy's votaries stare and
start. [ have an idea I sha mt find my
visit dull. I'm lucky devil, any way
you put it, and must thank Frank for
this last stroke of good fortune. By the
way, l wonder how Frank discovered
the friendship between my father and
Mr. Willard, and why did he not tell me
of it? I'll tax him with it when [ write.
Now it is but poor part of wisdom to
exhaust my mental forces in this way,
SO to sleep and dream.
CHAPTER liz.
Mary Willard had no recollection of
either mother or father. The one early
event which had impressed itself upon
her memory was the death of her grand