Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-06-13
CHAPTER VIII.

The result of Miss L'Estrange's self
commune was very perceptible, at least,
to herself. The careful watch she estab-
lished over her own words and manner,
however, was too delicately exercised to be
in any way remarkable. She was bright
and frank as ever, but she slid easily
away from any approach of sentimental
subjects, though talking readily on other
topics The chief change was an increase
of animation and tendency to mock at
what used to touch her. Mrs. L'Estrange
only noticed that Nora was in remarkably
good spirits.
Winton sometimes looked little sur
prised, and bestowed more of his CONVEX
sation on his older acquaintance than he
used.
The quiet weeks went by swiftly, their
monotony broken by occasional dinners
at the houses of the cathedral dignitaries
at Oldbridge, where Morals songs and
lively talk. and Mrs. L'Estrange's gentle
tact and sympathetic listening" made
both welcome guests
October was more than half over, and
hunting had begun-a congenial amuse-
ment which interfered a good deal with
Winton's frequent visits to Brookdale.
The rapid falling of the leaves, and a
succession of stormy nights, made Mrs.
L'Estrange think seriously of spending
November and December in town-a pro-
position which Nora originally urged.
Mrs Ruthven wrote at length, very
amiably.
She was detained in town by business,
| she said. She was in treaty for pretty
villa on the Thames, and would be de-
| lighted to have Miss LEstrange's counsel
and assistance when she set about fur
| nishing.
Mr.. Marsden had been so good in try
| ing to find her jewels, and had gone to
Amsterdam in search of them, but all in
| vain. Was he at Evesleigh? for no one
! seemed to know what had become of
| him.
"Do YOU know, think it would be very
nice TO help Mrs. Ruthyen in choosing
! her furniture? Shall l tell her we are
thinking of going up to town? Perhaps
she would take rooms for u.s. said Nora,
when she had read this letter aloud a:
breakfast.
..NIy dear Nora! she would not care for
the trouble: and what price she would
! agree to give for rooms! We must be
very prudent; my little savings during
the latter part of our stay in Germany
will not go far"
ooh. yes! 1 forgot. You are really a
wonderful woman, Helen; l shall never
be such an economist; but as to not car
ing for the trouble, | do not think you
unite do Mrs. Ruthven justice; you and
Mr.. Winton are always of the same opln-
ion. and / think you have caught his
prejudice against her.
81 am not as much fascinated as you
are. and I must say, l am good deal
influenced by Mark Winton; when look
back"-she stopped abruptly. Nora, who
longed to hear her "reminiscences, gazed
earnestly at her, and Mrs. L'Estrange,
raising her eyes suddenly, encountered
those of her stepdaughter fixed upon her,
and colored through her delicate pale skin
TO Nora's great surprise. "Some day.,
said Mrs. L'Estrange, quickly, and with
some confusion, 81 must tell you my little
history: every one has some touch of ro-
nance in their lives, even SO prosaic a
person as / am.
s.Do. dear; tell it to me now.
"Now? Oh, no, | must interview COOK
and plan the dinner; the romance of the
mast must give way to the needs OF the
present vulgar though they be; some even
ING by the freight, / will prose about
DAYS gone by. 1t is fine and calm to-day
lot MS give Bea holiday, and walk across