Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-09-08
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AW0MAN5 INF UENCE

l don't believe [ can be hurt more than
I have been on that point. AS to get
ting rid Of you, you talk without reason
or sense, Brian. Thered be 10 getting
rid of you, even if I regarded you in the
light Of milestone around my neck;
which don 't-quite. Now, I've been
thinking a great DEAL and [ have de-
cided that as you cannot endure life
here I'll have to endure life in New
York. am going there next week.
"To New York." repeated Brian,
scarcely able to credit his ears. Il
thought you said it would break your
heart to leave Elmwood"
Margaret dropped herfork and stopped
to pick it up before she answered.:
Don't bring up things I've said" she
return ed with some impatience. "One
can't be accountable for every word. 1
am determined not to be talked about,
and l want to see something Of this
wonderful New York, where life is SO
flexible that 1t can bend to every caprice
Your expression, sir. You will have to
find me a resting place. Not a house;
that would be bother. small apart
ment will be best; please look for one,
if you can find time from your important
social duties"
Yes, said Brian, gradually recover
ing from his surprise. I'LL do what I
can, Notwithstanding your sarcastic ref
erence to my duties. Those sweet lips
weren't made for sarcasm. Don't
frown. I know I'm daring fellow. I
wish I could understand this sudden
whim Of yours. 1t is sensible; I can t
deny that. I've thought several times
that it would be delightful to spend our
winters in New York and our summers
here. 1 shall be happy to enjoy your
society and the city at the same time. !"
Margaret did not reply to this, and
when she spoke again it was on another
topic.
Brian found time to secure an apart
ment which seemed to Margaret suit
able in all particulars, and as the time
she had fixed upon for departure drew
nearer she began to realize the cost of
leaving Elmwood.
Her life was 50 thoroughly identified
with this home she had learned to love so
dearly, her mind and heart so fully
wrapped up in all connected with it, that
it was q hard and real sacrifice to break
up old associations, and look forward to
an indefinite stay among comparative
strangers and uncongenial surround
ings. But the sacrifice had to be made,
(tllu ~ NttO UClC-1 w IutthO IL DULL, DIG
argued. Dwelling upon it only made it
har Ter, and after the actual leaving was
over, the bitterest part, she could force
herself to be contented in that great,
busy city, which held no allurements for
her.
She would have stolen away quietly,
to have avoided the pain of saying good
by to her friends. but this was not pos
4I.D, I. 4
to be encountered.
The fearful grief OF the rectory chill
drtn, who had grown to look upon her
as a second mother, tried her strength
and resolution severely, and left her
rather dreadng her visit to The Cedars,
in which she was sure to find the Colonel
so kind and sympathetic that it would
be impossible to bear up.
If ne only understood how it hurts,
she thought, making her way to Alice's
room, he would be only hard and cold.
People call the world cold and unsympa-
thetic, but it seems to me that"
L am only advising you, Alice; such
tempers are hereditary, you know"
These light ords broke rather rudely
upon Margaret's melancholy reflections,
and Notwithstanding her state of mind,
she was compelled to smile.
Nell, l aeclare," she soliloquized,
pulling aside the portiere and entering
the room, to find the irrepressible young
lady seated on a table, her feet dams CLING
in the air and her laughing face suggest
ing the mischief her words had ex-
pressed.
~Merciful fates. if here isn't Miss
Margaret" she cried, jumping from her
perch and rushing to greet Margaret.
"l on Didn't expect to see me? " ell, I
guess not, but here l. am. as big as life
and twice AS natural. Thank heaven
you've come. Take off your hat and
at home You'll stay to lunch, of
course? Oh, yes, you will. You must;
Tn goner otherwise Why my
anxiety, you ask? Ye' godsE what
want OF comprehension! And you know
the Old bear, too: have seem his Little
ebullitions or wrath, and not ed the deli
cate pink that overspreads his express
i've features when somebody like me has
an opiDion-that deSr, mild, beloved
uncle of mine who tried to box nay ears
this morning and may be looking for
me even at this moment. See, how
tremble, and shiver, and shake. So
stay, Ipray you; stay to aim the fire of
his passion and throw oil ON the troubled
waters, as it were. Did you see him in
your wanderings through the hall? Did
You catch glimpse of his seraphie>
cherubic-"
For mercy's sake, be quiet, put in
Alice, interrupting NelIs flow OF elo-
quence. You would set anyone crazy.
Sit down, Margaret. I'll try to keep
you from beng talked to death. You
look tired already
Generous creature" retorted Nell.
Take this chair hy me, Miss Margaret.
lou'n lie safe, really. Yes, uncle and
I hal glorious quarrel this morning.
I can't remember what about. Iven-
tused to express an opinion on some sub
ject, I dare say. He differed with me.
so we had regular battle. He 'fit,' as
poor old Tom says, and l defended my