Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-01-18


Valerie chatted on. taking no notice
of the young countess: but, strange to
say, the Earl was watching his wife
with d feeling akin to amaZement and
admiration.
How well she sat her horse How
golden and beautiful was her hair !.
What dark long la5heS framed her
eyes.
Last night he could see nothing but
Valerie, the woman he loved: now his
whole attention was turned on the WO-
man he had married.
Valerie noticed Roy's changed ex-
preston, and jealousy burned in her
breast.
Come, Roy, Lord Radine is waving
to u.s." she exclaimed, and, he moving
to her side. they put their horses to
the trot down the lane.
Alice felt q choking sensation in her
throat and without another thought,
she wheeled her horse round and can
tered wildly in the opposite direction.
She had lost all control of her feel
ings; sob5 burst from her lips.
The poor young wife was utterly,
terribly unhappy
She knew not what to do Or where to
90, put she felt that something must
end the torture she was enduring, or
she must die.
She cantered On, unheeding and
plunged in her thoughts, till the
trembling of her horse caused her to
think OF him. and as she came to a sort
of thicket, she lOOsened rein and let
him stand.
She must have ridden some distance,
for even to her, who knew the country
well for miles around, having walked
it in bygone days, this place was
strange.
She looked round at first in surprise:
then. q little alarmed, she began to
feel weary from her agitation and OK
crcise, when the sound of q CHEEKY
whistle was born to her ears, and the
next minute q footstep rustlcd over the
dying leaves, and a tall Wcll-bullt young
man came towards her.
He stopIej, amazed, as he saw the
lovely girl on horse back, her golden
curls floating from their rough contact
with the wind in picturesque confusion
round her face and neck.
Il beg your pardon. can help YOU"
he said suddenly, lifting his hat.
Alice hesitated, then meeting his
frank boyish face, size answered:
''If you Will, please. | have lost my
way"
You are in the Abbey Woods we
are close to the old Abby &C. the ruins
are just bcyOund those trees"
THE Abbey" exclaimed Alice III
surprise Il thought | was quite in
the opposite direction they have
takon the wrong path.
You have become SEPARATED from
your friends?" asked the young man,
CHANGING again and again at her.
eyes,
"Wcll, perhaps can assist you. Do
yo1 want to find the Abbey"
II think ! had bcctcr go there, as
they will in all probability make their
way to it, " replied Alice.
Let me lead your horse. May in
troduce myself? | am Frank Meredith
at your service.
.:And I-call me Alice" said the
young countess, quietly.
Miss Alice. what u pretty quaint
name so old-fashioned Do you like
this part of the country: 1 am staying
down here with friends. ! have been
shooting. as you see, though the SPORT
is rot good Nothing seems to live
round the old Abbcy-cven the birds
and insects desert it. 1t is dead, in
deed"
Alice listened to Frank Mcredith's
easy chatter quietly She agreed with
him in his estimate of the spot. Never
had she seen so weird and strange
place. and as they came in full sight OF
the ruins she could not repress shud-
der which the young man noticed.
~ es; is it NOT dismal? 1t looks like
a great grey ghost. [ really coat
think I should care to venture into its
gloomy vaults, even in broad day
light.
'.Who owns it," asked Alice sud
denly.
My friends did tell me, bat [ have
/ go home. Now, Miss Alice, shall |
leave YOU here alone. or will my pres
ence annoy you if | remain?'
,'Oh, stay. please" cried Alice, her
nerves unstrung still by the terrible
strain put on them at the time Of iIus-
taco Rivers murder: 'perhaps they
will not be long"
Il wonder if shall see you again,
said Frank Meredith after Il pause.
while he stroked the horses neck: Il
am staying here another fortnight.
You may, perhaps, answered
Alice: she was drawn toward the young
man by his frank ways.
He seemed little more than q boy TO
her. though he numbered over twenty
years.
1T seems strange thing to say"
went on the young man quickly. but
If ever you want me to do anything for
You, ii / can. | Will.
Alice blushcd little, then paled.
WHY do you say this:' she asked
hurriedly.
Il cannot say. l only know | would
give all poss sss to be your friend.
You don't look happy. | should like to
help you.
Alice hcsitated, then held out her
hand.
You shall" she said, simply. Il
have not one friend in the whole
world You shall be the first
oh. thank you" he cried. If you
want me, write to me there or there:
be sure if | can | will always come,