Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-02-21

had received Sir Frederick courteous
ly, but still with something of the
stately dignity lately assumed in his
presence, and Geraldine had merely
honored him with a casual remark or
two such as might have been made to
any one. There had been no chatter
ing, no flirting. 40 picking up of
threads dropped at the dinner-table.
He would have told himself he was a
fool for his uneasiness, had it not been
for what took place presently.
Bellenden had been with them for
ABOUT quarter Of an hour, quietly as
Stunning his place as one Of the party in
manner he had never done before.
when some acquaintance Of the Ray
monds had claimed Cecils attention,
and had for some minutes completely
diverted it from his cousin. He had
had to tell them how he came to be
there, and how his people" were not
there, what they were about, where
they were to be met, and where they
were not to be met. He had had to
put some questions on his own account.
Ihe neW-cOme rs We're great folks whom
he did not often chance to meet-peO-
pie who seldom frequented fashionable
resorts, but who would be noted wher-
ever seen; the sort of acquaintance,
in short, that young Raymond ap-
proved of, and with whom he would
not for the world have cut short an in
terview.
For full five minutes he had been
thus completely engrossed, and when
he had looked around at the expiry al
that peripdf neither Bellenden nor his
cousin had been anywhere to be seen.
"They have only gone to hear the
band, Mrs. Campbell had said placid
ly. 81 told them that should remain
here, and that you would take care of
me-"
How long the strains of the band had
been heard thereafter he could not
have told. It had seemed ages, and
must really have been during con-
siderable length of time, since directly
Geraldine had reappeared, it had been
time to go.
Geraldine had seemed hurried and
apologetic, and there had been good
deal said about the crowds, and the
number of rooms, and the difficulty of
making way through them; but all the
talking had been done by her.
Bellenden had said nothing, but had
stood by with a sort of smile on his
face, which it had not cheered poor
Cecil's heart TO see.
He had, indeed, left all the excuses
and explanations to his fair companion;
but there had been that in his air
which had said so plainly as words
could have done, that she was herself
his excuse, and one sufficient for him
Or for any man. No wonder the son
spoke sharply and sulkily to the parent
who had, as it were, opened the way to
so much: tor that Bellenden had, by
some means or other, now contrived to
break down the barrier which had ex-
listed for SO long between him and his
quondam ''little FRIEND" ana which
had, up to the present, seemed SO i'm
pregnab BILE, was only too obvious.
Geraldine herself was bitterly indig-
nant with herself during the summer
morn which had set in ere the party
quilted the festive halls, and which,
gathering strength and glory, was
blazing forth IN it's full tide Of light
ana life as the weary girl sought in
vain the slumber that had fled her
pillow. she wondered what she had
been thinking of,dreaming Of? She had
gone on so we'll until now. Never un-
til this evening had she really falJered;
scarcely ever had she heen tempted to
falter. She had. indeed. been aware
of being ever more constantly on the
lookout Tor him-but what of that?
He had had nothing from her but gay,
hooking words, and sharp, two-edged
jests. Only once Or twice, only when
she had been really too unkind, too
barefaced, had she wheeled about and
1nurmured the gentle after-word and
cast the soft glance which had undone
che rest. But tonight? Tonight
there had been nothing to undo. She
had tried to be sarcastic, hippant, and
unfeeling, and had failed, and had
failed utterly. For the future she
must beware.
And there was yet something fur
Their.
Bellenden had offered box at the
opera, ana she had almost accepted it.
How should she now escape the con-
sequences of such imprudence?
THE only thing will be to make
granny refuse" she ruminated, tossing
hither and thither on her fretful, fe-
verish couch; Granny must just say
we have not an evening, or that the
weather is too hot for theaters. [ can
show her that do not care to 60, and
that will be enough to make her not
care. Then [ can tell Sir Frederick
what she says"
But when it came to telling Sir
Frederick, the message, somehow,
took another form. Granny was very
much obliged land would like immense
ly to go, and either Tuesday or
Wednesday would suit her, as they
had no engagements for those even
ings.
Now, how was this? Let us hearken
to the preceding dialogue, and judge
to whom the apparent inconsistency is
due.
Granny-Well, my dear, Sir Freder-
lex is very kind, and I dare say we
shall 10y it.
Geraldine 1t is the one opera that
I have not seen, which 1 should really
care to see.
GRANNY am told it is very good.
Geraldine The Raymond girls say
it is beautiful. Even Uncle Raymond
has been to it.
Granny-Well, what night shall we
fix?
Geraldine Why, if you really think
of going -
Granny-My dear, I am ready to go
or not, as you decide. l thought you
would certainly wish to &c"