Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-06-06
wasting your time in a fruitless attempt
to recover my lost jewels.
Ever yours,
CECILIA RUTHVEN."

Marsden, however, had net been down
to Evesleigh and Nora L'Estrange. He
had found occupation in London, and time
had not hung heavily on his hands. Mrs.
Ruthyen's invitation was far from &C.
ceptable; he was eager to start on his voy-
age of discovery, but he felt it would be
more prudent to accept. Sra
Il must keep her in good humor for
some time longer" he thought, as he
penned a pleasantly worded reply. ''She
is yindictiye little animal, and l must
be clear of this trusteeship before / can
venture to show my hand. What rich
harvest | deserve for my patience and
diplomacy! Shall | reap it? Yes, it's
worth trying for"
Mrs. Ruthyen was unusually particular
about ordering luncheon, though at no
time was she Indifferent as to what she
ate and drank, and as to what she put on.
A very becoming costume of dark-blue
plush and cashmere. made her fairly con-
tent with herself, while her thick, shining,
auburn-gold hair was crowned by dain-
ty little lace cap, with pale-blue ribbons.
Marsden was delightfully."- punctual,
and, in his admirably cut frock coat, with
delicate button-hole bouquet his high.
bred face and beautiful soft, sleepy blue
eyes, looked so handsome and distinguish.
ed that Mrs. Ruthven thought woman
might be excused for making fool of her.
self about him.
"And how are you, dear Mrs. Ruthvcn,
after these long days? What sin did
commit that you forbid me your pres,
ence?" exclaimed Marsden, holding hel
hand tenderly, a moment longer than was
quite conventional, and looking into hel
eyes.
FORBID you my presence?" she repeat,
ed, laughing. "Once when you called ]
was really out, and once-I was really
engagedw
''Do you mean that is the beggarly &C
count of all my attempts to see youi
Why, was here four, five, six times, al
least"
''Then they omitted to tell me! Do not
let us quarrel about the exact number,
Mr.. Marsden! tell me some Evesleigh
news. How are your charming relatives
at Brookdale?'
Il really do not know. l have never
heard of them, and had intended to hunt
Blankshire this winter"
you must not allow yourself to grow
morbid; | shall regret the loss of my pref.
ty rubies more than ever! Come. luncheon
is ready in the next ROOM"
While the servants were in the room
they talked of ordinary subjects, but Mrs.
Ruthven soon managed t., get rid of them,
and resisting the temptation of listening
to Marsden's charming voice and 1atter.
ing speeches, she took the direction of the
conversation into her own hands.
''You must not be long away" she said,
81 shall want a tolerably large sum OF
money soon,''s and proceeded to tell him
of the opportunity which offered of pur.
chasing the desirable villa at Twicken.
ham; after charging on it's merits, she
continued:
II always wished for place of that
sort 1t is so nice for fetes and pretty
recherche parties. Besides, may as well
lay out some Of that money which is lying
idle in the Three-per-Cent, so you must
come back in time to pay it."
She looked up suddenly with a smile
and keen glance, and Marsden met il
with his usual lazy, good-humored expires.
sion. ST..
every WE'LL" he said, ''the cash shall be
ready when and where you will. What
are you going to give for this new toy?"
''Thirty- three thousand five hundred"
(To be contnued)