Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-07-18
what you term the shabby lodgings Of

what you term the shabby lodgings Of
his relatives. I have not met him there
certainly; but I can trace that he has
always been there last night, and is ex-
pected this evening. Evesleigh, I find,
too, is to be let for term of years
five, think. Old Shepherd, of Calcutta
you remember the firm, desperately rich
peoples looking for country place. and
it has been offered to his solicitor 1t
seems to me that this indicates intentions
widely different from anything you anti
cipated, and points more to marriage for
love than one for, let us say, money and
love. l have met Marsden more than
once lounging in Pail Mall and Regent
street as if he had nothing on earth to do,
which certainly does not look like the ur-
gent business he asserted called him to
town. However, you, no doubt, have in
formation which may throw totally diff
ferent light on these ambiguous proceed
ings. l can only give you the result Of
my observations. Take it at what it is
worth"
This letter was the last pebble on the
cairn of hopes and fears, DESIRES doubts
and silent, singing anger, which had been
gradually accommodating over the bright
anticipations of few months ago, con-
tinued state of agitation and disappoint-
ment had strained endurance beyond the
utmost, and the passionate, self-willed
woman gave way under it. A cold, caught
during long drive with Lord Darlington
in the east wind, obliged Mrs. Ruthven
to keep her room. After a day or two of
anxious attendance on the part of the
local doctor, high fever set in, and it was
evident that Mrs. Ruthyen was danger
ously ill. A great physician and a couple
of trained nurses were summoned from
London, all the pomp and circumstance
of serious sickness were established in
Lady Dorrington's pleasant house, and
for the time sporting men and dancing
women knew it no more.
CHAPTER NJ.
1t was some little time before the evil
tidings reached Mrs. L'Estrange and
Nora, as their correspondence with Lady
Darlington was not too frequent, and she
was too much taken up, and too angry
with him, to continue her diurnal letters
to her brother
Meanwhile Nora and her step-mother
went on the even tenor of their way.
Mrs. L'Estrange had gone to Norwood
to luncheon with an old lady, distant
membered her existence after she had
made what was considered a good mar
rage, and had more than once invited her.
Mrs. L'Estrange always found it hard to
say no. and, somewhat to Nora's indigna
ton, had consented; but went alone, as
her step-daughter refused to accompany
her.
1t was dusk when she returned, for her
L Z. ! Al IN,
quiries and fault-finding respecting their
mutual relations. Mrs. LEstrange was
wearied, and longcd to see Morals kind,
bright face, to describe the peculiarities
of her testy kinswoman while enjoying
cup of fresh, warm tea.
Nora was sitting on a footstool by the
freight when her step-mother came in,
and the little tea table was drawn near
the hearth. the teapot simmering under
it's cozy, plateful Of thin bread and but
ter, temptingly delicate, beside it.
'How late you are, Helen,' cried Nora.
starting up and coming over to assist in
taking off her cloak. "What has kept
you so long!' Something in her tone
struck Mrs. L'Estrange; it was not i'm
patience exactly, it was sort of subdued
excitement.
''It was not the charms of my hostess,
nor the delights of my visit, | assure you,
and she proceeded to describe the bitter
ness of her entertainer with much quiet
drollery, while Nora poured out the tea.
"You don't want the lamp yet?' she
asked, after laughing at her step-mother's
account. cit is so nice to sit by the fire.
1T is" said Mrs. l. Estrange, and there
was pause; then Nora said suddenly:
''Helen, Clifford Marsden called here
to-day"
Eyes. He said something about coming
last night"
But, Helen! He-he-asked me to
marry him! l was so amazed!'
''Well, Nora, am surprised, too, though
not so amazed as you are. l have seen
that he was fond of you, but l did not
think he would marry without money.
How did YOU answer him, dear?"
II scarcely know, except that certain
ly did not say yes.
Go be continued)