Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-14
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s..NREE LEsSF HARM,

Paul Dalton, the young Superlntend-
ent, all unconscious of the web with
iron warp and wool of steel that fate
had just begun to weave for him, walked
on till he reached the grove Of naples
lining the road.
Farmer John adjudged him mystery,
and Farmer John was right.
One glance at his expressive face, in
telligent eyes, expansive brow, daintily
shaped hands, told that ne had not al
ways been a tiller of the soil.
Something in the half-veiled eyes
spoke of hidden past, Of ambition
thwarted, OF a soul bound to ironlike,
uncompromising duty for the sake Of
others.
Something, too, just then awoke the
sentimental in the heart of the mex
plicable mystery Of Maple Leaf Farm
Farmer John stare in wonder, had he
been there
Whistling softly to himself, Paul Dali
ton, glancing down, saw some tiny flow
ers growing at his feet.
He leaned over and picked two Of
them. They were violets, late stayers,
sheltered by the protecting hedge and
nourished by the rich damp soil around
them.
white volets," he murmured with q
bright smile, the first have over seen,
though, from the dairymaids' talk, they
are common enough to the faithful
lover. Little Of that for NO." he sighed
grimly, "but what superstition shall fit
to them.
across the stilo with violets white,
Your love shall pass that way ere night.
I,
Hore goes.
He smiled dreamily, the poets reverie
in his fine eyes, aS he bound the two
pretty flowers with thread of grass
and caught the brittle stems against q
more serious, as come duty OF labor was
suggested to his mind by observing the
workmen idlng about hay-mow, he
crossed the field.
Half way thithor, turning he saw Ruth
Elliott passing the spot he had just left,
q book in her hand her steps directed
toward the grove.
A faint glow damo into his cheeks.
Perhaps he thought of tho violets, and
the superstition his ready mind had as
sociated with them. At all events, he
thought of the pretty, wild-rose face,
and the trim, dainty form, for his eyes
grew somber, and he directed the men
at their work in u preoccupied, mechan-
zeal way.
Some fascination of destiny came into
his cheerless life as, at liberty again, he
wendell his way toward the grove where
Ruth had disappeared.
His heart gave a quicker bound as he
caught sight of her pretty blue dress
through the shrubbery.
Then u frown darkencd his brow, Bit
ter and distrustful, as he observed that
she had Il companion.
That idier, Ralph Prescott" he muir
INJURED. What does Mr.. Elliott keep
that man about here for?"
An unwelcome companion was the
favorite of old Godfrey Forsythe just
then to the dainty Ruth, however. Paul
Dalton knew that q moment later.
For, as he was about to retrace his
stops, q tuttering, indignant cutlery
reached his ears.
How dare you, sir!'
Ruth's mellow tones, robbed Of their
usual gentlencss, spoke. The reply
grated harshly.
Dare? That's good, Ruth! Give me
the books, say! I saw; / was watch
ing. You've got them between the
leave. You won't take a keepsake from
me. amt handsome enough for that,
but some other fellow will have
them!"
you cowardly spy!" gasped pretty
Ruth. "Oh, 1 hate you! 1 hate you!
Help! You shall not have the book!"
Il will"
In half q dozen sturdy strides, Paul
Dalton reached the spot where the alter
cation was going on.
An exciting scene greeted his vision.
The great rough Ralph had just torn
book from Ruths hands and she was
striving to recover it.
Give it to met" she cried, her eyes
flashing, her face alame. "Oh, if
were only mani"
Miss Ruth, hero Is your book"
Quick as II flash, Paul Dalton had acted.
How it was ever done the confused Ruth
could not tell, but the next moment his
athletic form had sprung through the
shrubbely, the book was snatched from
the astounded Ralph Prescott's hands,
was rendered to its owner, and Ralph
himself lay PROSTATE, ten feet away,
seeing stars.
With q growl of rage and muttered
threats he limped out of reach Of his in
.dignant adversary a moment later.
What was it?" querried Paul, solicit
ously; you will pardon me, but that
great rough follow"
Trembling all over Ruth Elliott con-
fusedly turned over the leaves of the
book
IL had something; it is lost" and
then she burst into inexplicable woman
ly tears.
Was it something of value?" asked
Paul. gently. Perhaps I can help you
find It,"
No, have found it.
Paul Dalton started as from shock
A tell-tale blush on her face, hastily,
guiltily, pretty Ruth Elliott had picked
up at her feet the object missing from
her book, the cause Of all the exciting
episode Of the moment.
Two white yiolets bound with thread
Of grass.
Comprehendingly, quivering with
nameless emotion, Paul Dalton recog-
nized them, and as she, shame-faced,
iiuttering, dropped the flowers again, he
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