Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-04-18

precautlon as respects the trusteeship. l
have generally observed that honor is
blemished or unblemished very much in
proportion to the degree of temptation to
which it is exposed. You must remember
that, save myself, you have few old orig
mai friends, if any, in England; and in all
sincerity am devoted to YOU
Il am really inclined to believe you,"
said Mrs. Ruthven with soft smile, and
seductive upturning of her eyes, $50
VAL try and do you good turn. At
Evesleigh you will probably meet very
charming glrl-a cousin of the Marsdens;
she has small property q will inquire
into it's yalue), and if worth the trouble
you might win and marry her. l will give
you all the help l can"
You are very good. AS an abstract
idea. am not a believer in marriage, but
| am open to conviction. Since left the
service to live on my private fortune,
have not done so badly; what with lit
tie luck on the Stock Exchange, and
little judgment in making book"
Take care. all gambling is risky; but,
as you do dabble in such matters, l wish
you would give me an idea how can get
more than three and half per cent.-that
is all l receive for forty or fifty thousand
pounds?"
''Fifteen hundred year! Can your
highly honorable trustee do no better for
you than that? You must have weak
spot in your heart for him, or you would
never stand it."
There is no question of weakness" lie
returned scornfully. "Our relations, if
any ever exist between us, will be purely
a matter of calculation"
Shirley looked down with slight in
credulous smile, and Mrs. Ruthven watch
ed him with Il glance of fierce, intense
anger. Quickly recovering herself, she
added, with insolent Indifference:
believe or not, as you choose"
II much prefer believing" returned
Shirley. Nov, what are you going to do
during the rest of your exile here? Will
you come down to Oxford with me to-
morrow? 1t is one of the places you
ought to be able to talk about"
eff you will come back and dine with
me at 1880 today, I shall have made up
my mind, and tell YOU"
'"To hear is to obey. l shall be here
punctually; and in the meantime I will
think over the question of investments!
Three and a half per cent! The God of
Love himself must have blindfolded you
before you submitted to such robbery"
''As you like" returned Mrs. Ruthven
coldly and carelessly, $50 good morning,
and au revoir."
Shirley kissed her hand with an air of
gallantry and left the room.
When the door had closed on HIN Mrs.
Ruthven sprang up with the quick feline
grace of tigress. Darling to her writ
ing table she seized the photograph oe
Clifford Marsden, and stood for moment
intensely still, gazing at it. Then she
murmured:
"Purely matter of calculation" and
laughed aloud. Only matter OF calcy
ation," she repeated. ooh! my prince!
my king!"
kissing the picture passionately, she
threw it from her on the table, and
crouching again on the sofa, sat with
ciasped hands gazing at 'tome imaginary
picture as if lost in n dream.
= IL
All Blankshire rejoiced that Evesleigh
Manor was once more opened to the coun-
ty, and to the severely clerical society
of Oldbridge.
Enlivened by the gossip to which this
unexpected cNSHI save IIoS1 lliIC ACN
quickly. and the fingers of the local dress
makers worked nimby, while almost ev-
cry train which stopped at Oldbridge
brought men or munitions of war destined
for the manor house.
Mrs. L'Es.range and her stepdaughter
took natural and lively interest in the
preparations. Marsden himself was fire.
quently at the cottage, always in the
most charming spirits, and boyishly full
of anticipated success.
1t was the day but one before the ball.
Nora was sitting near one Of the draw
ing room windows which was open, while
a bright wood fire cracked on the hearth.
1t was soft, gray day, as if nature was
tenderly mourning the departed summer,
and the woods gave out faint autumnal
fragrance.
Nora sung softly in snatches as she piled
her needle diligently, braiding a winter
frock for Beatrice.
May l come in through the window ?"
asked Winton, so suddenly from the We
randa that Nora started and blushed yiy.
idly.
II ought to send you round by the front
door as punishment for frightening mew
she said laughing, as she rose and gave
him her mana. Out you Silall be aD-
sol-ed, for see you bring me 'Cornhill'"
Lie there and wait, good dog" cried
Winton, when he had whistled his attend
ant pointer to heel, and the animal, of the
beautiful red-brown Irish breed, obeyed
at once.
''What dear dog! We sorely need
watch dog" said Nora. "You know this
place is rather solitary ut uight. The
squire has promised me one Of Queenie's
puppies as soon as it is old enough to leave
it's mother"
''If it is worthy of it's race, you will
have treasure. The Evesleigh mastiffs
are famous"
Winton had entered while they spoke,
and instinctively walked to the fireplace,
where he stood surveying the room and it's
occupant.
'What pleasant room this is he said
abruptly, after few moments silence
ST never see anything like it elsewhere.
It is pretty, yet not too fine for use, and
Supremacy home-like. You cannot fancy
what charm there is about everything
home-like to an outsider like myself.
Brookdale and its owners will be my
most Ia ctio o. memories of tho old c.o,ptrp