Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-07-18

write every day to Clifford till I make
him return"
"Well, you can try"
The evening of the day on which Lord
and Lady Darlington held this converse
ton Mrs. L'Estrange and Nora had set
tied themselves, one to her needlework,
the other to a new book. The day had
been wet and stormy, in spite of which
they had been obliged to go through a
long afternoon of shopping, chiefly COM
missions for friends at Oldbridge, and
both were glad to rest.
| Mrs. L'Estrange had recovered from
the fit of depression which had exercised
Nora's Imagination a week before, and
had, indeed been more quietly cheerful
than was her wont, since she had had
letter with foreign stamp, which Nora
shrewdly suspected was from Winton. She
was little dreamy that evening, and
found it difficult to fix her mind on what
she was reading. Il suppose we shall
have rain and fogs, now that the fine
| should prefer country to town, in rain
and Storm" she said, laying down her
book. Il feel quite tired out"
| EYES," returned Mrs. L'Estrange, when
she had counted some stitches, "but then
|
Here one can turn into picture gallery,
and find summer or autumnal sunshine
for shilling; besides"
"Mr. Marsden," announced the ex-but
Ter, in his best style.
Il thought you were at Chedworth!'
ooh! am SO glad to see your were the
EXPLANATIONS which greeted him.
| Obliged to come up to town on bust
ness" was his vague explanation. car
rived yesterday. Have been torn to pieces
by lawyers all day, and am come to lay
my mangled remains at your feet" He
drew a chair to the coy freside as he
spoke.
"And do you go back tomorrow" ask
ed Nora, who was reused and pleased by
his sudden appearance.
Tomorrow? Nor tomorrow, nor to-
morrow cried Marsden. "It is dull at
Chedworth, desperately dull. The hunt
ing no great things, the shooting no bet
ter; but the house is crammed with bucolic
chums of that excellent fellow Dorring-
ton, and, in short, here am, and here /
shall stay"
Lady Darlington will be very vexed.
I had letter from her yesterday, saying
how much better everything went since
you had joined them"
II am glad she knew my value"
"And how is Mrs. Ruthven?" returned
Nora.
ooh! quite we'll and blooming. She is
fast recovering her misfortunes."
Captain Shirley was here on Sunday"
remarked Mrs. L'Estrange, "and was
saying he had never seen her look so i'll
and depressed since he had known her"
Shirley? How did that fellow come to
/ call upon you" asked Marsden. Il don't
know why it is, but l can't stand Shir-
ley" he added thoughtfully. 'And Win
ton, where is he?"
SIN Florence?"
Florence? He is not the sort of man
I should imagine would like Florence"
II don't think he Does" said Nora. "He
went there to see some Indian friends so
| far ON their way"
II did not think he would have been so
ready to leave London just now" and he
gave an expressive glance to Mrs. LES
TRANCE which she did not see, but Nora
! did
| Then he asked for Bea. and talked Of
the child in terms that delighted the
mother.
Nora thought Marsden had never seem
|
quieter and graver than usual, and she,
felt the relief his presence brought to the
monotony of her thoughts most welcome.
At length, with apologies for having kept
them up so late, he bid them good night,
and drove straight back to his hotel
without even an attempt to find if there
was any one at his club to play game Of
cards or billiards with him. His spirits
| ;~ht 10
was little given to think, or trouble him
self about the future, but with all his
airy carelessness the last year had been
one of irritating anxiety, now he had
contrived to clear himself. He could
| defy Mrs. Ruthven, her lynx-eyed solicit
ors and her watchful led-captain Shir-
| lev. He owed her nothing. A little love
making, more or less, did not count with
! so experienced a coquette. He was per-
fectly free to shake her off if he chose,
| and he did choose. Good heavens! Com
pare her with the fresh, natural, girlish
elegance of Nora L'Estrange. The arch,
delicate animation of the one, the studied
| graces, the yelled yet perceptible passion
| of the other. And Nora had been un-
doubtedly glad to see him. How sweet
the candid welcome of her eyes, how I'M
conscious her frank, gracious pleasure.
] Yes, it would be his delightful lot to wax
en- her from the slumber of childhood to
the fullness of womanhood-the power of
| loving! Yet there was certain strength
| and individuality about his young kins-
woman that warned him she was no mere
| waxen doll, to be bent as he chose accord
| ing to his will. She had ideas of her own
-tolerably clear and defined. This would
but give piQuancy and variety to their
| intercourse. Heavens! how lovely those
eyes of hers would be with the light of
love beaming from their hazel depths.
Then she would be content to wait, with
him, till the Evesleigh estates were free
| from all membranes before they launch
ed into the costly, heavy style of exist
ence suited to his position. And before
the fever of anticipation let him sleep,
Marsden made more good resolutions than
| he had ever formed in his life before.
Only give him this fair, fresh, delicate
4 dorl;np and he UOuld no a norp mon xy;+b