Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-04-19

MY grandfather" she repeated.
';But Aunt Martha-''
WAS no relation. Sir Humphrey is
your dead fathers father. You are
the dearest creature in the world to
him. I will call h m.
Lady Darrell moved across 20 the
door, and Alice saw tall stately man
enter, whose dark eyes beamed with
love. whose trembling hands were out
stretched to catch her.
My child-mX poor boys child
found at LAST
Sir Humphrey pressed the girl to
his heart, tears in his eyes.
Let me look at you, my tlCWer-my
star-cOme to brighten my old lie.
Merciful powers. how like"
She resembles poor Fulke?" Lady
Darrell asked gently.
''More: she is the living image OF my
precious wife -Fulke's mother. See,
you knew the Arnolds we'll? Is not
that the Arnolds' face?"
Alice looked up, and she remem-
Dered Lord Radine's words to her that
miserable day OF the ride to the
Abbey.
She bent her fresh lips to Sir Hum
phreys hand and kissed it,
till now" she murmured. IL will love
you as BOTH
Then, as the old man kissed her
fondly, she turned to the Earl's
mother.
land you, too," she said simply.
"And now you must rest while, "
! Lazy Darrell said affectionatelv.
await an instant" broke in Sir Hum
phrey. My darling. is there no one
| else you would like to see?'
A wave of color dyed Alice's lovely
face; she drew herself away and turned
to the window.
There is no one who would care to
see me-" she replied.
Sir Humphrey and Lady Darrell eX-
changed chances, and, in answer to q
sign he made, the lady went slowly
| from the room.
well, my darling," Sir Humphrey
said tenderly, II will leave you now.
When you are rested [ will come back,
and then you shall hear how Mr.. Mere
dith helped us to find you, and how
many friends you have that you know
nothing OFF,
Alice kissed him, and he lefH her sit
ting in her'chair, feeling strangely
happy and proud in the knowledge of
her illustrious birth and new-fOund rel
ative, yet with a sense OF heaviness and
depression that she could not push
aside.
Presently Davis came in while she
was sitting thus.
"You know all, my lady," she said
lightly. ''Ah, what did [ ALWAYS say?
[ knew you were a born Countess.
| Why it is quite a romance"
Some of it was q painful romance,
| Davis" Alice said slowly. "Yet how
strange it all seems. A year ago a
farm help, ill-treated and alone. Now
Countess with"
Her voice die,, the memory of her
| husband came with startling ClearneSs.
and with it the thought that she lived
and was the barrier to his happiness
with Valerie.
She lay languidly back in her chair,
| looking sadly out Of the window while
! Davis chattered on.
you will soon be able to leave here
and 90 back to the Castle, my lady"
Alice shuddered.
Il cannot go back there yet.' she
! said in low tones.
Davis made no answer. She went to
the door.
Lady Darrell was beckoning her out
She slipped away, and someone else
entered the DOM softly.
mo, Davis, Alice went on slowly:
II cannot even think of the Castle yet.
Davis" she asked suddenly keeping
her face we'll turned away, did did
the Earl ever ask for me when | was
ILL.,"
No answer.
Alice gave deep sigh.
"Never mind, Davis: don't think of
my stupid questions. [ was onl y
She covered her face with her hands,
and someone bent over her and took
them gently away, kissing them pas
sionately at the same time.
Alice started, grew crimson, then
white as death.
! Beside her on the ground knelt the
/ very man of whom she spoke-the
Farther lOve-her husband.
did [ ever ask for you, my darling?''
Roy said tenderly. a flush on his hand
some face, a lovelight in his eyes. He
still grasped her slender hands in his.
! You have not known, you have not
seen me near YOU night and day. I
! have never lett you, Alchemy vie. |
| 1iSSfC ~ q GU l4lAu NOl LII l1o SCoNS IL
only to see you knew me, and that you
iorgave me. Before you utter another
word, say that, Alice--you forgive me-"
She drew back Il little.
Il have nothing to forgive you," she
said iaintly. You were right. was
then so much beneath you-a farm girl
and | separated you from-from her. -
Listen, sweet, beg-listen. Re
member the night before you were torn
away. Did not my eyes speak plainly
then? Could you not guess what my
heart felt? All, Alice. you did know.
Then. my darling, [ knew nothing of
| your birth. 1t was you loved as |
love now. Were you forty times farm
| girl. [ must love you the same. You
are my very life. Say you love me-
Love you" she murmured. Il have
| loved you from the moment [ saw you
it was that love that nearly broke my
heart"
My darling.' said the Earl passion
ately, drawing her head to his Shout
der. and pressing his lips to hers.
my own-my very own WIFE"