Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
CHAPTER XII.

mo; your fault, Jeanette. You
spoke SO suddenly.
well, who thought you was going to
Jump up in that style. You might have
killed the kitten, besides putting
grease spot on the carpet, and breaking
the saucer.
Yes, I know; but I didn't, you see
Which one is it?
at belongs to the best set, and there
amt but four-"
"Oh, T don't mean the saucer. I'm
talking about the man. Is tt"
Its Mr.. Beverly. The Mr.. Beverly,
II that's what you mean. Don't fly up
again now, and I hope you'll soon be
going down too, or he'll wear out the
carpet with his walking. He don't seem
able to keep still.
Angry" thought Mary, dashing some
cold water on her cheeks. wonder ii
I had not better change this dress.
have made it SO wet.
This change or costume was longer
process than she had bargained for. so
many wrong hooks got into so many
wrong eyes, that both time and patience
were required to set them right, and
after the task was finally accomplished
her face was so red and SO hot as to neces-
state another application of cold water.
her breath, as she reached the lower
hall and heard the rapid walking that
Jeannette had rather deprecated. If
he is angry he may say something which
can answer back, and then [ may get
rid Of this dishrag sort OF feeling"
Good morning." she added aloud,
though in slightly unsteady voice, as
she came to a sharp standstill in the
doorway. Have you seen grandpa?"
Yes. But did not come to see him.
came to see you. Will you come in,
please, and sit DOWN."
Thus invited, Mary took possession Of
q chair near the door, and Jack retained
his standing position in the center Of
the room.
Il received your grandfathers letter"
he continued after second, during
which her face had turned various colOrs
under his glance, "and your message
acknowledgment, rather. Have you
nothing to add to it, Mary?"
The tone, more than the words, gave
Mary such q spasm of cOntrition that
she cried quite vehemently.
L do want you to forgive me, if you
only can"
The next second Jack had lifted her
burning face to the light.
Il believe I can," he returned in a
tender voice, though you have been so
cruelty hard upon me. How could you
think me such a villain, Nary"
Don't look at me in that way!" she
exclaimed, trying to cover her face from
his sight Il can never, never be sorry
enough. I know I've been hateful, and
jealous, and sus-"
No more adiectives, please. / Will
simply add, for my own qualification,
that you have been very proud girl,
who would not give poor Jack a chance
to vindicate himself. That comes with
good grace from me, but you must not
call yourself names. I cannot allow it.
You are too precious to me.
Here Jack found his face so near hers
that he thought it expedient to give
some extra proof Of his assertion.
If you care to be precious to me-" he
added, after this slight interruption.
L think you are a very generous
man." was Mary's only answer.
Am I? 1 don't know that I deserve
very great credit. My generosity is
wholly selfish. But, such as it is, I'm
waiting for you to reward it. I feel that
l have been insthe lowest depths for the
last two or three days, and am only be-
ginning to enter heaven. Repeat the
promise you made before, Mary. Darling,
say you will be my wife"
He clasped his arms about her waist,
and drew her toward him with passion
ate intensity.
"Oh, Jack" she cried, with consider
able protest, you have such Away"
L can't help it, he returned. L must
show you how dearly | love you. You
have not answered my question, either.
Will you"
"Yoa know I WILL" was her highly
convincing reply, as her face dropped out
of sight on his shoulder.
1T is all 1 wish, he responded, hap
PLY content. What happy man you
have made me. And yet" he added,
with much reproach, "you would have
allowed me to NOPE in misery, rather
than say, Jack, 1 want you What a
proud, cruel girl. I have had to make
all the advances"
And I am very glad you have, re-
piled Mary, frankly. you could do it,
and 1 couldn't How did I know you
cared any longer? 1 thought you might
not; and suppose I had said, Jack, l
want YOU and you didn't want me-"
Mary sighed over the bare suggestion
of this prospect.
Impossible possibility rejoined
Jack, If the remark be not paradoxcal.
I think l must punish you for even en-
pertaining it. Though don't half be-
lieve you did. You really could not in
conscience, you know"
L won't think so any MORE" she
promised by way of reparation. L in
tend to improve very much. You don't
know how good am going to be-"
Don't L" he whispered very lovingly.
"Myown darling, don't care to know. l
am satisfied with you as you are. The
thorns only make my rose more sweet.
May come in?" asked quiet voice
at the door.
Certainly, responed Jack wholly I'M
abashed. You find US in quite botan-
ical vein"
you don't believe him, do you?" cried
Mary, leaving Jack rather precipitately,
and placing her hand half shyly in her
grandfather's. You can guess great
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