Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-12-21
CHAPTER II.

! DerlOuS hG2Q. ono Was SLaLdIiis5 At
one OF the windows in the lofty morn
ing-room of Darrell Castle.
An old lady was Gated at the table
| glittering with silver and costly emma
| for the early meal her hair was white.
her face gentle, yet proud; she smiled
as she met Valerie's dark eyes.
II shall be so lonely, she continued.
'Then [ will remain, dear Lady OAR
rell. To tell YOU the truth. | was be-
ginning to tear I had extended my
visit too long, and that you were tired
of me-"
Lady Darrell stretched out her
slender white hand and the tall beautl-
full form left the window and knelt at
the elder woman's feet
CHOW. shall scold you, Valerie.
How often have [ begged for this visit
and YOU would not come. Doyou think
I shall let you curtail it just when you
like? No. no. my dear: [ mean to have
my way"
Valerie bent and put her warm red
lips to the white hand.
'It is dull here, I fear, Valerie, )"
Lady Darrell said after a pause;
ESPECIALLY these two next days while
Roy and Eustace are away. but they
will soon pass"
Valerie face had flushed crimson;
now it was very white as she said
simply:
Il am perfectly happy; I want no one
but you."
Lady Darrell patted the soft coils OF
hair that crowned the girls head 1t
was glorious hair, of warm ruddy,
brown shade, that matched her eyes
almost in color.
The skin was exquisitely fair, tinted
with delicate warmth Of rose on the
cheeks, and riyaling the fairest marble
by it's purity.
"You tatter, me, Valerie: but now
to breakfast. I hope, during the day,
to have some line from Roy, and [ hope
also that by this time they have set
tied their little quarrel. Do you know,
Valerie, this is the first time [ can
ever recoliect Il GOODNESS between Roy
and Eustace: their friendship has been
beautiful in it's strength and warmth. "
Valerie rose from her knees abruptly;
her back towards her hostess.
''Does Capt. Rivers ever stay with
his mother" she asked, speaking in a
hard dry tone.
Lady Darrell did not seem to notice
it; she laughed slightly.
"Well, no, dear; I cannot saw that he
does see much Of her. Roy will have
him here. Eustace, of course, has to
leave us frequently to join his egiment
at the different towns where it is gar
risoned, hut beyond that, this is his
home
Valerie drew q sharp breath.
Il often laugh at Roy, and tell him
one Of these days Eustace will marry,
and then they must be separated; but
Roy does not seem to think Eustace
will ever take q wife. nor do I, for the
matter of that"
"Why?" asked Miss Ross quietly,
taking her place at the table.
''Well, Because it is too selfish.
Understand me, my dear. [ am fond Of
cousin and friend, and [ cherish the
son for his sake, apart from his own.
But a man to marry must give up SO
much. and Eustace will give up moth
ing"
She was opening her letters as she
spoke, and did not see the look of pain
that crept over her guests beautiful
face.
''Ah. here is letter from Lord Will
liam; he is coming down to-day. | must
telegraph to Roy at once. How tire
some! What induced them to go to
Nestley? I cannot understand it at.
Lord Roy said something about new
harness for your ponies observed
Miss Ross, pouring some chocolate into
q priceless china cup.
"Ah," smiled Lady Darrell ''then I
see what it is. Roy has made that an
excuse for cementing the friendship
afresh. He thinks no one knows any
thing about horses but Eustace"
Are you not Jealous of this great
Affection" asked Valerie suddenly.
Lady Darrell's face grew grave.
Roy is SO precious to me, you know.
Valerie. [ might be jealous, dear, if l
did not love him so much; to see-to
know he is happy is to me the height
of all earthly bliss
ooh, that | had had YOU for moth
er.'' cried the girl: invo1untarily her
pale beautiful head was bent.
Lady Darrell rose softly and kissed
the young face.
Look on me as such. dear Valerie.''
she whispered; who knows perhaps
Her sentence was not finished. for
the door was opened, and the butler.
advanced into the room.
My lady, there s a park-keeper in
GliS SCI Ndbilt fiGll DSSSluS w see you. |
We've told him it is impossible: but he
will not CO.
Lady Darrell seated herself at the
table again.
"a park-keeper, Chelmick." she re-
peated. "What can he want?''
Il don't know, your ladyship: but
he'll tell none of us anything only
asks to see you, my lady"
Miss Ross looked at her hoStoSC rho
smiled.
Some begging petition, l suppose.
Well, Chelmick, will break through
my rules for once, and see the man.
Perhaps" continued Lady Darrell as
the butler Withdrew, poor fellow, he
has got into trouble of some Sort
He evidently knows where to apply
for consolation remarked Miss Ross.
In a few seconds the butler returned, |
and ushered in a man dressed in the |
ordinary fustain worn by keepers. a
look of trouble on his honest, comely |
face.
"Ah, Miles, SO you want to see meo