Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-10-10


nothing goes so surely to a mans heart.
Most people find it difficult to resist flat
terry, when delcately administered: and
IN this case the homage was quite uncon-
sclously rendered, and so of double worth.
Mrs. Dene smiled sometimes. at James
enthusiasm, yet on the whole agreed with
her. She had always liked Colonel Prin-
sep, though she had never seemed to
know him so well as of late, now that he
so often joined them in their rides and
drives. Besides which they were acting
together in comedietta, and Jane often
assisted at their impromptu rehearsals.
The Colonel was notably good attheatric-
ais, but this was Mrs. Dene's first effort,
and she had been very unwilling to ac-
cept the part; only the fact that the per-
Torrance was for the benefit of regi-
mental charity, and that her husband
wished it, at last persuaded her.
Very pleasant were the afternoons spent
in these rehearsals. Jane wouldbe seated
at the further end of the room as audi
ence, her eyes fixed demurely on the little
yellow book, listening with unnecessary
intentness to the Colonel's drawing
tones, which were becoming dearer to her
than she we'll knew. Sometimes they
referred knOtty point to her, and had
she been observant. she must have noticed
that Colonel Prinsep always adopted her
suggestions. Once Mrs. Dene laughingly
appealed to him, whether Jane would not
make the better actress of the two; but
he only smiled, and forebore to express an
opinion.
Often he found himself glancing around
to see if she were near; in church he list
ened almost unconsciousiy for her voice,
which was at times TREMENDOUSLY up
raised; and once as he stood near her at
an afternoon cat Home" at their mess,
it entered into his mind that, being so
slim ard lightly made, she ought to be
pleasant partner.
He strolled toward her slowly.
"You are not dancing" he observed,
and smiled little consciously as at the
sound of his voice she turned, her ex-
preston betraying a delight that all her
occurrences could not hide.
"Some one did ask me-" she assured
him, gravely.
81 do not doubt it, Was he such bad
performer that you refused?'
''It was more of my own shortcomings
I was afraid. You e'-blushing-"l
have never learned to dance"
Dancing is an art that requires no
teaching; it comes by instinct toto such
as YOU"
II wish I could believe so,' she an
swered, quickly, too eager to show en-
barrassment at the compliment implied.
"Try with me'-persuasively.
81 dare not; besides, | could not. | am
with Mrs. Dene, and she is not dancing
the gentleman she introduced to me
would be offended"
''Half a dozen bad reasons don't make
one good one," he laughed, gayly.
"Come"
He put his arm round her waist, and
drew her forward INTERESTINGLY. When
the first awkwardness was over she en-
joyed it, as he could not fail to see by
the flush on her cheeks and the sparkle
in her hazel eyes.
When they stopped at last he was
smiling, as men will smile when they
have broken down one of the weak walls
which women love to erect, often more
as a precaution than a defense. Then
almost Immediately his mood changed,
and he led her back to her chaperon
without making any remark.
At that moment Captain Dene returned,
and holding out his cigar-case to the
Colonel, led the way on to the veranda.
It was quite dark, and a warm wind
rustling among the trees prevented their
footsteps from being heard. Mrs Dene,
unconscious of their presence, answered
James inquiry.
"You were exactly describing Colonel
Prinsep," she said. laughing lightly. 80
he is your ideal of a perfect man."
A discreet cough from her husband
startled both, and they turned to see that
he and Colonel Prinsep were close behind
them.