Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-12-03

fond of it in my own heart. because you
gave it to me"
"That must have cost great deal,
Matthew" said Miss Jacky, after a rath-
err awkward pause.
"And what if it did? Don't you sup
pose I can afford it?'' said Mr.. Raeburn,
frowning at her angrily. II can buy up
any Dundee merchant twice over, tell
you; I'm a millionaire-a Millionaire, if
you like-and trades going up. l mean
to be as rich as Rothschild one of these
days. There's no limit-no limit-to
which I cannot aspire and-attain."
He laughed harshly and rose from the
table, regardless of the fact that the Ia
dies had not made a move. Miss Jacky
watched him darkly as he left the room.
She could not understand the changes of
his moods. He behaved as if he had
been drinking. And yet-she had not
noticed that he took larger quantity of
wine than usual at dinner. There was
something about him that made her very
anxious now and then.
TIE next day was cloudlessly fine. Mrs.
LINDSAY and her girls, Katie and Isabel
two rosy, merry lasses, who had a
boundless admiration for their old friend
Stella, with whom they used to go to
school before she left Dundee for Brus-
sels-called at Thornbank at half-past
one, and drove with her to the steamer,
in which the whole party-horses and
carriages ncluded-would be transported
from Dundee to the Kingdom Of Fife. At
Newport they would get into the carriage
again and be driven westward to the fine
old abbey ruin at Balmerino.
Newport Pier was reached at length
and the drive to Balmerino began. 1t
was very pleasant drive, but Stella
found afterward that she did not remem-
Der much about it. She was hardly con-
scious of what she said or did, until her
feet were firmly planted on the green
slopes on which the ruined abbey walls
are set, and found herself suddenly face
to face with Mr.. John Harrington and a
friend. And then she felt illogically
ashamed of herself for having expected to
meet him there.
Stella performed her part of introducing
him to the Lyndsays with a quiet, shy
grace which Harrington heartily approx
ed. He in his turn asked permission to
introduce Mr.. Donald Vereker, and as
that young man was one Of Lord Esqu-
harris sons, his welcome by Mrs. LINDSAY
was assured. Katie was charmed to find
that this fair-haired, blue-eyed young fell
low was what she called Every jolly" and
while she and her mother monopolized
him, lisa, who was of sentimental turn,
devoted herself to securing a few min
utes undisturbed to her friend Stella and
Stella's lover.
For of course he was Stella's lover;
she was sure of that by the look in Stella s
pretty eyes, So she led them away from
Mrs. LINDSAY and Mr.. Vereker. and when
they had entered the half-lighted cavern
which had once done duty for a refec-
tory or kitchen, she slipped quietly away,
and Harrington was at liberty to say
what he chose.
He had already given Stella his hand,
because the floor was very uneven. and
he knew by its tremor that he could go
a little further still. "Come this way and
look at the window in the WALL" he said,
leading her deeper into the darkness of
the ruined building. "You are not angry
with me for coming here to-day? You
are not sorry to see me, Stellar" His
arm was round her waist.
ooh, please Stella began, but she
was not allowed to proceed.
81 could not keep away. I love you,
Stella-do you not know that? Do you
not love me little in return? Stella,
will you not tell ME that you love me?'
ut is SO soon," she murmured; but her
head was on his shoulder, and he knew
that he might have his way.
'.Not a bit of it. The moment I set
eyes upon you in the Britannia I said to
myself-that is the woman 1 should like
to have for wife. That is how all true
love begins. One kiss. my darling" Han
nington whispered. you have not kissed
me yet"
Stella lifted her face in the darkness
and pressed her soft lips to his cheek.
1t was a very sober little kiss; but she
felt it to be VOW of everlasting fidelity.
To the man who won that kiss she gave
her heart and life.
.'Now, then, we will co. said Hanning-
ton. "Stella, dearest, you love me, do
you not?''
Eyes,
"Say Yes, John
eyes, john" she answered, very sweet
ly.
.sThen, darling, don't say anything
about this to anyone until have seen
YOU again / want to consult you first,
before / speak to your father. He will
crudge you to me, | am sure, my beauti-
full one.''
"As you like, JOHN she said submis-
sively.
..I'm awfully bowled over" said Don
AID Vereker that evening, with an ex-
nression of the deepest self-commisera-
tion. 81 feel that / have received my
death-blow Garry me out to die some
body. I am slain by fair, cruel maid =
.syVho is the lady?' asked one of his
sisters laughing. There was large par