Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-09-15
1WOMAN5 |NFL UE.NCE.

she lelC ElmWOOQ.
Under other circumstances she could
have been, not precisely happy, be-
cause she was too thoroughly child Of
nature not to miss, with an intensity
few could understand, the restful
peaceful Influences Of her country
home. Yet she could have found con-
tentment in this charming little apart
ment, with its comforts and luxuries
Its situation was convenient and de-
lghtful, in the heart of the city, sur
amusement, and near the various clubs,
where Brian was fond Of spending his
time.
She was in the center Of hustle and
activity From her window she could
hear the throbbing pulse Of a life that
was never still-the ever sounding
orchestra Of a busy city; the mighty
roar OF the elevated trains, with their
noisy, whizzing echoes; the sound Of
| the heavy drays passing over the
cobblestOneS; the lighter rumble Of
carriages, and the long line Of pedes-
TRANS, made up an ever moving, ever
changing panorama of human life,
! hope and ambition, upon which she
gazed with feelings that brought her
own loneliness and isolation more
keenly before her.
How was she to fill the long hours
that must pass before dinner" she
asked herself SHOULD she go through
the stores and see the beautiful things
the shop windows displayed SO tempt
ingly?"
That was not interesting when one
had no companions TO exchange Opin-
ions with. The crowds wearied her,
too. She felt SO utterly alone amidst
the busy throngs, where Il friendly
glance seldom, if ever, greeted her. At
home it was SO different; there she
could see familiar face in every
passer-by.
No, she would not go out to-day, she
decided at last. She would stay at
home and read and try to emulate the
contentment of spirit which prompted
Norah under all circumstances to sing
cheerily over her work. Yet it was
a bright day to spend indoors. The
sun, which always seemed to her preju-
diced fancy to shine through q yellower
| thicker atmosphere, lay warm and
| golden on the house tops opposite. It
tempted her with it's cheeriness. But
| pshaw! where was the pleasure in walking
sedately over the hard pavements? How
could that compare with /; delightful
gallop over the hills at home?
All, those glorious rides! Why couldn' t
these tall walls crumble away? Why
| couldn't the paved streets, this horrid
noise and din by the touch of some
| farry's hand give place to the familiar
! hills and fields? Not for long; only for
one day-just one day. How she would
use every hour OF that day!
She would have her usual ride on
Mollie's sleek back. They would cam
ter away through The cool, still morn
ing. She would feel the invigorating
air against her cheek, and the glad
sense of fresh new life tingling in her
veins. She would go to The Cedars and
talk with Alice and the Colonel, and
| laugh over Nell's ridiculous nonsense,
and feel SO happy. She would run in to
| kiss the children as they pressed their
little faces against the rectory window,
and she would find time for few min
utes with Mrs. Martin to ask her how
| her rheumatism was, and hear if the
! old man had been out since his sickness.
! All, there was SO much she would do if
! she could be at home to-day.
] Nanny came in to remove the break
! fast things, and she asked twice for the
orders for luncheon and dinner before
Margaret heard her.
| Indeed, I don't know" she said, at
last, trying to fix her mind on these
household details. you and Norah ex-
ercise your ingenuity to-day. I'd par
ticularly like a nice dinner, as Mr..
Leigh will bring friend home with
him. Men must be fed, you know, even
if the world goes to pieces. 1t is their
failing to think more Of their dinners
than anything else, and we have to
humor it. SO you and Norah must do
your best.
Quite late in the afternoon Margaret
| rather suddenly decided that she could
stand the house no longer. SO, prepar-
ing herself for walk, she was soon
upon the street.
When she arrived home it was nearly
dinner time, and secretly upbraiding
herself for staying out so late, she be-
gan to dress as quickly as possible.
Il should be dreadfully sorry if DR..
! Wilson should come and I not ready to
receive him." she contided to her retIec-
ton in the mirror. I shouldn't know
how to excuse myself. Well, it is rather
/ late, and if they have come I cannot
help it.
When she entered the parlor five
minutes afterwards she found, not Brian,
but a tall, tine-looking man who arose
at her approach, with an air OF chiv-
airy perfectly in accord with the noble
| face.
That face impressed Margaret at once.
Not so much with its beauty of feature
and expression as with its tirmness Of
chara ter it's strength of intellect, and
the ennobling influence which high en-
deayor and strong purpose had left
upon it, InstincJiyely she felt a quick
ening OF her sympathies and feelings,
an indefinite attraction toward this man,
whose very appearance compelled her
+ admiration.
During her scarcely perceptible pause
in the doorway, the stranger, with a
swift but critical glance, had taken in the
sweet face and girIish form. Then he
started forward with the half question,
( l,Ic