Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-10-12

Not wishing 70 be Idle, and learning
of the contemplated resignation o. 49,
telegraph operator at the station,
Charles made application for the place.
The company upon being satisfied OF
his efficiency, was glad to accept the
services of so popular and intelligent
young man as Louis Patterson-for by
that name he must now be known
had proven himself to be.
AS the duties only occupied portion
of his time he was enabled, without
neglecting anything that was expected
OF him, to give the two farms his gem
era1 attention.
Mary Nordrum had no cause to find
fault with the fervency and ardor OF
the love which Louis Patterson en-
braced every opportunity to convince
her he possessed for her. He was. IN
fact, the most devoted woOers. She
failed to see that his rough experience
and strange adventures among the peo-
pie OF that hidden continent had less
ened his admiration for her, or
had benumbed his feelings toward
her, or had made him less the
ardent lover. It might be, she
thought at times that he was not
so enraptured with her personal charms
as before that strange so& voyage, OF 1T
least he was not so loud and earnest In
his expressions Of love rs on the night
when he babe her what proved to be a
long, long adieu. Still she expert
enced the perfection OF bliss IN listen
ing to the Oft-repeatcd story OF his sui
fCring on the wreck at sea, ana the
dangers he encountered i'll his travels
among the people OF that strange
land.
He knew Just how much color to give
his adventures to in e 'est and fasclnate
his fair listener and she never tired OF
being an enthusiastic listener. Often
she would beg him to tell the story
over again that she might pity him
while DIT least he was telling 1t.
Thus he wova around his victim q
net with strands Of steel, and il she
ever breaks through them and becomes
free heaven and angels must help her
do it,
Young Patterson labored to make
himself popular With the neighbors far
and near. He made them frequent
visits, happening III Oh them at meal
times, or. belatcd, staying with them
over night. He loved to talk politics
with them, and always conformed his
oDllllOii LII GtICOIldliCC w IUil LIS tol-i-
panion.
He loved to talk with the people
about his travels and adventures, and
was constantly introducing subjects
that would afford him an opportunity
to show them how familiar he was
with their habits and little incidents
in their lives, which had been forgot
ten, save as he revived thcrecollection
Of them. He delighted in these rem
iniscenses and in refreshing the mem-
cries of the neighbors, 50 that had
there been in all that region one who
suspected he was not Louis Patterson,
whole communities would have risen
up to prove his identity.
No wonder Door Mary NOrdrum was
completely blinded. 1t was an unequal
contest from the beginning. The
praise of her lover was upon every
lip. That kind Of praise which SO Of
ten makes maiden's love against
their will-malle them love when they
sh uld hate.
There were times, though, when q
mysterious something would be tug
ginga her heart strings, as if to warn
her of danger. But she was too de-
voted to her lover to heed the warn
ing. Often she would fancy there were
voices whispering something about
lovers that were false, and lovers made
mad by love, but she never thought
the voices were for her to heed.
Louis, she said one evening, when
passing the churchyard. and noticing
she shadow Of the frail steeple length
ening out clear to the graves Of the
loved ones. 81 see the grass is grow
ing on that little path to your mothers
grave. 1t certainly cannot be that
the memory Of your sainted mother is
being forgotten. and that you have
any less tears to shed over her grave
now than when she was first laid there. !"
Mary did not utter this mild rebuke
because she doubted Louis reverence
for his mothers memory. and yet so
sudden was the question asked and so
unexpected that it startled him into q
fright, and in spite of his great will
power, he turned pale and great beads
OF sweat trickled down his face.
Mary noticed his excited condition
and contributed it to his feelings.
which she had unintentionally wounded
by the cruel inclination. Before he
could regain his composure sufficiently
TO reply, Mary in tender and sympss-
thetic manner, apologized for her
thoughtlessness and when her great
black eyes met his, she implored his
forgiveness.