Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-09-05


Nora bent her head in silence, and after
looking at her for minute or two with
glance OF mingled anger and admiration,
Clllford said with short laugh:
Curlously enough, I am summoned to-
morrow to see the rival to whom you
would TAIN hand me over-on business,
she says. l wonder if she could invent
orlbe big enough to induce me to give you
up, Nora?'
He took and kissed her hand, pressing
it painfully hard.
Sf did not love you so madly, how I
could hate you" he said between his
teeth, and hastily left the room.
CHAPTER XIV.
Despite his cool Indifference to the
opinions and interests of others, Marsden
felt that he should be as we'll pleased that
his interview with Mrs. Ruthven was
| over. 1t is true that she seemed a mere
frivolous, fanciful trifler, much taken up
with the outside of things; but instinct
rather than any deliberate thought i'm
pressed him with the conviction that be-
meath her pretty draperies was heart of
steel, which would never melt, though
you might strike fire from it and an iron
will, tenacious to carry out her purpose,
great or small. He knew better than any
one else that a short time ago he had only
to ask and he would have been accepted
and, thinking that such might have been
his destiny, he had done his best to pre-
pare and smooth the way. From this, his
supreme good luck had delivered him.
| Even if he had not fallen headlong in
love with Nora L'Estrange, there was
much in Mrs. Ruthven which dimly dis
pleased him. She was carefully we'll
bred, yet her manners had not the in
describable ease or grace of one born in
the purple, there was an under-tone OF
animalism in her tastes and looks; more
over, he shrewdly suspected that fidelity
to husband would be with her very much
matter of accident, though he did her
the justice to believe that she would al
ways keep up appearances.
In fact, she was an admirably composed
morsel of Paris paste, eXcellently set and
pleasant to the eye, until placed beside a
brilliant of the purest water, like Nora.
However, the visit had to be paid, so
Marsden made a careful toilet, and set
out to keep his appointment.
It was some time since they had met,
indeed, since their encounter in Paris the
previous spring, they had not been so
long apart.
| Mrs Ruthven was fully dressed in
black silk and velvet, with handker-
chief of creamy lace knotted round her
neck, and dainty cap of the same on her
thick, short hair. Her costume seemed to
Indicate that the business on hand was
! too serious for the easy negligence OF a
morning gown.
Marsden thought her looking better
than he had ever seen her before. The
debility and languor of slow GONZALES
cence had spiritualized her expression,
| and given more refinement to her move
ments He could even understand how
some men might think her charming, a
charming toy. There was something un-
usual, too, in the earnestness with which
she looked into his eyes, something panied
and reproachful in the expression of her
| own.
81 hope she is not going to make q
scene." thought Marsden, as he greeted
her cordially.
man. to be so punctual," she said, gra-
ciously, but gravely.
II was eager to see with my own eyes
how YOU were progressing" he returned,
smiling sweetly upon her. "You know you
| were Cruol euOuSu W ACJCIt hAy ~ oS Ga AoA
an interview at Chedworth.'
eyes. it was cruel considering how
anxious YOU were about me-" Marsden
did not quite like her tone. Il want to
sneak to you about Evesleigh; there are
one or two little matters you and I can
settle better between ourselves than
through our lawyers"
".More agreeably, l am sure"
"Before so into my own affairs, how
ever. Mr.. Marsden, l must congratulate
| Won on your engagement with Miss LES
| tranee. I always admired her. But your
taste is unimpeachable." There was a
| kind of deadly composUre in her manner
that struck him as omlnous.
"It's coming" he thought while he said
aloud, "You are very good! L am sure
Nora has the highest appreciation of you;
she has often spoken of you most warm
! ly."
.'She will appreciate me much more
deeply and justly later on" returned Mrs.
Ruthven, with slight laugh. pray
when does the marriage take placer"
| s"That is not settled yet"
"And suppose your fair, inexperienced
fiancee is desperately in love with you?
You have quite distanced Mr. Winton."
"Well, l hope so," carelessly, feeling
more and more uncomfortable.
81 should think you had, you are rather
n fascinating sinner. had fancy for
! YOU at one time myself" And she
glanced quickly at him. glance fiery
enough, half admiration and half anger.
as it possible?" cried Marsden, with
an exaggerated air of regret. And how
was such an idiot as not to see 1t =
"That Inconsistencies ana modesty Tor
which Won are celebrated, no doubt, pre-
served you," she returned in a peculiar
tone However, it is too late to talk of
the past; besides, have curious story
to tell you, in which, am sure, you Will
he interested. Do you know have found
q +roce of nv rubies at last, and the day
Won marry Nora T. Estranee | will give
| her one of the best for a wedding pres
ent!''
my dear Mrs. Ruthven. | am aston
ished and Interested. CRED Marsuen'
struck hv her tone and looking full at her.
..Nor shall L