Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-04-13
CHAPTER LII.

CHAPTER LII.
One bv one they withdrew, drawing back
as those draw back who feel that their
work is finished. The unfortunate AS
sunta remained kneeling by the bed,
clinging frantically to the clothes, to the
hand they would have removed from her
grasp.
''Take her away" whispered Lady
Grisel again, and this time Master NAL
colin obeyed. The child, still an infant.
began to wall; Lady Grisel started at the
sound, but the mother gave it no heed;
Kerenhappuch took it from the bed.
The doctor and the Minister raised AS
sunta to her feet her eyes still fixed;
they undid one by one the clinging fng-
ers; they carried rather than led her to
the door, where sense forsook her, and
she fell insensible to the ground.
The two men laid her on settle in the
hall, and the doctor knelt down beside
her and chafed her cold hands.
Lady Grisel sat down by the fire. The
wind was bowling, and the rain beating
outside. Angus came and stood by his
| mother; he was deathly pale. There was
a profound silence, the clock ticking
heavily, and the doctors movements
sounded loud and distinct.
| At last Lady Grisel rose; she put her
hand on the Minister'S arm and drew
him aside. ''Alas!'' she said, ''disgrace
as we'll as grief has fallen on Dun
monaigh. "
Lady Grisel," said Master Malcolm,
solemnly, Il believe her to be his wife,
! "You know not what you say Master
Malcolm" she answered: "Ewan Mac
monach was never married"
s'Ewan never was a villain," said the
! nd how how 7
known the lad, and his heart was as
| honor
THAT girl his wite!' cried Lady Grisel
1.-THE daughter of an Italian advent
urer stranger to US and not of our
creed-would you-"
''Ewan!" that faint imploring voice
came from the settle; conscious had re-
| turned to Assunta; one wild look from
| her great dark eyes, and she staggered
! to her feet.
Lady Grisel turned to the fire, and
away from the unhappy girl. Terrible
was that return to consciousness; means
burst from her lips, and her hands were
wrung together; she crossed the room
and threw herself on her knees before
/ his mother.
HAS he told you?" she cried; ''has he
acknowledged me and our child? He
was all had in the wide, wide world.
and he is gone. I am his wife, lady
his own wife-and he is dead. Have
pity on me-have pity on his child am
| Evans wife!''
Lady Grise Tor one moment turned
and stopped over the UNHAPPY girl, but
started, for she felt Angus's cold hand on
| her shoulder and heard him whisper
''Mother, say nothing-do nothing;
this claim must be proved
"Yes,' said Lady Grise', turning to
the Minister ''If she can prove it, Mas
ter Malcolm, bring her to me as my sons
wife-till then, will you care tor herr"
Hear me. lady!'' cried Assunta, once
more; ''you will not cast US out. 1t is
not for myself, it is for Evans child;
Evan is mine-my husband-and you are
his mother"
Lady Grisel drew her gown gently
from the poor girls grasp and rose from
her seat: Kssunta fell forward with her
face hidden on the chair.
Again Lady Grisel would have spoken,
but once more Angus interposed-'Come
away, mother" he said; and turning to
the Minister, added, ''These rawlings are
most painful and nnseemly. Master
Malcolm; may beg of you to remove
this grip"
The Minister bowed, and approached
with look of deep sadness.
"Come, my poor child" he said
'come home with me; tomorrow we will
talk of these things"
She rose up at his words. locking
blindly round and clinging to his hand.
He led her toward the door; then she
stopped, and pressing her hands on her
heart, she said:
stop, Padre, 1 have forgotten my
child"
Kerenhappuch brought her the little
one, and the Minister wrapped great
plaid round them both. He opened the
door and looked out on the lake; the
water surged sullenly up and down, but
the moon had struggled through wild,
broken clouds, and edged them with
fitful light Kerehappuch unfastened
the boat, and now took the oars herself;
slowly the Minister followed, supporting
Assunta, and with strong thrust
Hupple rowed off into the loch; then
Assunta looked back, and she threw up
her arms to Heaven, uttering one agon-
lied cry At that sound Lady Grisel
came out on the steps, and stood watch
ing the boat making it's slow way over
the black water, and through the sound
of the wind and rain she could hear the
wailing of the little child. Then she re-
turned to her son, and they were alone.
Lady Grisel put her hand on his arm
and looked into his face
''Yod believe nothing of all this,
mother?' said Angus, restlessly.
Lady Grisel sat down, and rested her
brow on her hand
.What can say. Angus?" she said.
.'You cannot believe it; on the very
face of it is talsehOod.'
''Ewan was never false
He shook his head impatiently. "Why
should he have deceived US by concealng
his marriage? Tell me YOU do not be-
lieve it. Why, look you, mother, it can
: ho IT is nuita inn nASSihla. why