Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-01-25

The riding party reached the Castle
In time for late lunch. Alice was
lifted from her horse. and still white
and nervous, gathered her habit in her
hand and turned toward the staircase
and her own apartments.
The glimpse she had caught OF Paul
Ross sinister face filed her with q
vague sense of alarm.
What was Valerie's brother doing in
the Abbey ruins. Why was he Turk
ing in the dark corners?
It was problem TOO difficult for the
young girl to solve: she stood before
her dressing-table and read the cards
Frank Meredith mad given her, men
tally determining to keep them safe,
for once again that strange sensation
came over her that she might need
him.
Then his offer of friendship, sudden
and unorthodOx as it was, had been
like ray of sunshine on her dark life.
She was so terribly alOne-no re-
lations or klnsmen near to hold out
Ghcir hands to her. wife hated by her
husband, g girl loathed by her hus-
band : love, Valerie Ross.
She took off her habit, and putting
on loose flowing gown of soft white
material, sat down by the fire to rest
and think, holding the cards in her
hand.
Her head achei with the multitude
e1f sorrows and vague troubles she had
10 bear, So taking out the pins, she let
the great masses of golden hair slip
from their knots and fall in glorious
waves over her shoulders almost to her
fec1.
She was trying to make some plans
Cor her future life. She was so young
as yet but Is years had passed over
her head, but she was brave. She saw
what her lot must be in this great Cas-
tle-a Countess, YET an Outcast, and she
determined to leave it to seek the
World-to be lost to Roy Darrell for
ever, and thus free him from his hate
Hui bondage. She had no one to whom
she could go. Farmer Brown and his
wife had left England for America,
sent by the Earl's gold, and Alice had
known no other family but them.
But despite the difficulties she was
determined life in garnet would be
better than this state of gilded con-
tempt and ill-disguised hatred.
While she was sitting musing she
heard steps come along the corridor
and pause at the door of her boudoir.
She took no notice OF them. deeming
it to be her maid. In another moment
a tap came to the bedroom door, and
IN answer to her summons the handle
was turned. and some one came in.
us that you, Davis'' said Alice,
YEARLY waking from her miserable
thoughts. 81 do not want you. [
shall not dress tonight. [ am too
tired
There was q strange silence; then
rising. and looking round, Alice per-
ceived Il mans form before her-the
man OF whom she had been thinking,
her husband, the Earl.
She hlushed, ard uttered a slight
exclamation; while she slipped the
cards unconsciously into her pocket.
Roy WAS gazing at her in speeches.
admiration, even though his heart was
bitter towards her. Never had he
seen d more lovely vision than the
shrinking girlish form in the white
gown and cloud OF golden hair
Il must apologize, he said, hastily.
Breaking the silence, ''lor my intru-
sion, but | wished to speak to you very
Irarticularly.'
Yes" answered Alice. growing
more composed and calling her pride
10 her help.
II found on my return from our ride
shat the people around have deter
Enincd to present an address of COndOl-
eencc and cOngratulatiOn to me tonight.
My mother, in my absence. took up
the duties OF Count ess. and organ
lied at once a large dinner. 10 which
she principal people will be invited. 1t
was necessary to do so, bat she in
trusted me with her apologies to you
for taking your duties on her RESPONSE
loility. rs [ present them to you now
''Alice's head dropped: to her sensi
tive ear this speech ran with bitter
sarcasm. She answered very low and
coldly, after moments pause:
Lady Darrell need not have offered
me any apology. She must have known
how much she IS in this house, and how
little am"
Roy interrupted her angrily:
DO you wish to send my mother
away that YOU say such things?"
"Send your mother away" repeated
Alice, quickly You misunderS tand
me. quite: if anyone leaves the CASTLE
ii should be |.
You are nv WIFE" the Earl said.
frigidly, thinking in his heart that
Alice was about to reproach him: do
mot forget that"
Il do not, )" the girl replied, proudly
and coldly. ''Have you anything
further you wish to say"
YES, that desire you to be present
at this dinner. You must now take
.lipon yourself the duties ofthe Countess
OF Darrell This dinner is the Begin
ming Many of the people, [ dare say,
Won may have seen when" he stopped,
and bit his lip as he recalled her hum
BILE origin before you were my wife,
Treat them easily and courteously. If
Chere is anything you wish to know.
let me advise you to consult Miss Ross.
She will be able to
II refuse to consult Miss Ross.
The Earl gazed at his young wife in
stern amazement her lovely face was
set and cod her figure was drawn up
10 its full height, defiance was in every
graceful line OF it.
/ do not understand you. ] suggest
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