Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-01-25
and watched the dainty figure glide

and watched the dainty figure glide
| down.
| Tonight" he mutterred; ''to-night,
she said IT'S we'll. Paul shall not
accuse me of playing and not working.
And yet how fair, how beautiful she is.
| What are diamonds to such loveliness
as hers? If she were but free, If |
| could clasp her in my arms, and press
| my lips to hers. Pshaw. I am raving
| it can never be! George, old fellow,
wake up, remember you have work to
do tonight. y
Alice passed on to the great salon.
The room was empty as she entered 1t:
| she was early, but her courage, instead
of sinking. rose higher and higher as
she walked through the brilliantly
lighted apartment, and caught the re-
Election of her beautiful form in the
many mirrors.
She was standing by the fireplace
when the Earl came in: her back was
turned, and seeing only slender,
graceful form. he hurried up to it. He
carried lovely bouquet of flowers in
his hand
"Valerie," he said. in low passionate
tones, II have kept my promise; here
are your flowers. Lady Darrell, you:'
he exclaimed, as Alice turned slowly
and faced him. Then almost in
voluntarily, he murmured. How
beautiful YOU are. Let me congratu-
late you! You will indeed win all
hearts to-night..''
''Thank you," Alice answered, quite
composedly. though her heart was
beating wildly. What a change had
come into his voice. The first words
had been love-laden, but the next
breathed only compliments.
Il trust am to your satisfaction.
You wish to find Miss Ross she is not
yet come down"
The Earl flushed again. that strange
fascination that Alice seemed to eXer-
else over him came into his mind once
more.
II brought her some flowers" he OBJ
served confusedly: ''she always likes
Them
"Flowers such as those are worth
liking" returned the young Countess,
seeing his confusion, and plying him:
Il never saw SO many wonderful
plants till I came here"
sour hOthOuses are considered very
fine-we must go over them together. y
cried Roy. forgetting all about Valerie
and the bouquet. and gazing at his
lovely young wife with a new sensation
in his breast.
Alice's eyes dropped, she did not
wish him to notice her agitation.
81 am afraid it would be too much
trouble, my lord" she said, turn ne
from him and forcing herself to speak
coldly.
"Troub]e-oh no. fell me what
hour you will be free tomorrow and [
am at your service"
Alice felt a thrill of establishment
that melted into moment Of perfect
bless.
II am free all day. she murmured.
"Ihen we can
The Earl got no farther, for two peo-
pie entered the room at this instant.
They were Count Jura and Valerie,
gorgeous in crimson satin and her
rubies and diamonds.
Roy watched his wife approach Count
Jura with graceful ease, and as he saw
the flash of passion love in the other
mans eyes he felt a sudden sensation
at his heart of anger-so great it al
most panied him.
What was it? Could it be that Roy.
Earl of Darrell, was growing jealous of
his lOwborn wife.
Alice saw nothing OF his expression,
but she saw Valerie standing near him,
the bouquet in her hands.
1--WE been trying to console my hus-
band Miss Ross" she said in her clear,
sweet voice, ''but he would not be con-
soled. You were late to claim your
promised gift Of flowers"
The Earl bit his lip, and walked
away. A sudden wish came to him
that Valerie and her flowers were far
distant A veil seemed to be falling
from his eyes. He glanced from VAL
cries handsome face, with its, hard,
passionate look, to Alice's sweet, lovely
countenance lit with womanly tender
ness and gentleness, and his wife's
pleased him the most. Her bearing,
too, astounded yet gratifed his pride,
and unconsciously his heart swelied as
he pictured her triumph.
Valerie, quick to read his clear. hon
est face. read these thoughts, and she
was maddened almost to fenzy. The
girls appearance, her GOODNESS, were
poisoned darts to Valerie's blighted
heart, and she vowed to be revenged
and to abase the low-boln wife OF Row
Darrell.
TO BE CONTINUED.
DiSill uSiOnnent.