Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-02-04
CHAPTER VI
SSS@o~S-

ol1aI i.
Anne's voice was a wonderful one by
nature, and had been developed by the
highest culture. Tonight she was tired.
and her voice was little tired, too; but
its tones had lost none of their exuuisitely
searching, melting quality, and fatigue
made them only softer, not less tuneful.
She sang twice, and then was obliged to
rest. Mrs. Dumaresq looked round for
Michele.
where is the child?'' she said lightly.
"Have you seen her, James? l want her
to come and play something now'
Il think l saw her on the veranda,''
said Mr.. Eastlake 'She would hear it
there as we'll as in the room"
ooh. do go and look for her, Mr.. East
lake." Mrs Dumaresq implored him anx-
1ously. "She'll take cold, naughty child,
and then Jim will say it is all my fault ,
Mr.. Eastlake departed on his errand.
He caught up soft gray shawl from the
divan, and looked out of the open front
door. Moonlight such as we never see in
. our northern climes poured in a flood of
radiance over all the land. Eastlake was
moved by the beauty of the night, as he
had been by Anne Carteret's singing. He
walked slowly down the long yeranda
and back again before he discovered the
young lady of whom he was in search
There she was, curled up in a long BAN
boo chair like a white kitten. She Meth
er moved nor spoke as he came near
Il was looking for you, Niche" he
said.
He had known her as child, and used
her pet name STILL often thinking of her
as mere child, and not q woman. She
made no answer.
Il am tired said Michele, in a low,
strained voice; and her little hands clinch
ed themselves until the knuckles turned
white and the nails left their impress on
her palms. Il am tired of everything and
everybody"
He glanced down at her. struck by the
tone. ''What is the matter?'' he asked,
smiling. HAS Chico escaped again."
Chico was Michelle's fayorite parrot Cor
have you been walking and dancing too
much? Mrs. Dumaresq is right; you
don't take care Of yourself"
What is the use of taking care of my
self?' she said rapidly. "Why should / :?
If | were dead and buried nobody would
be any the worse"
"My dear child, you know you don't
mean that
Il do mean it, said Michele, with
sob. She had covered her face with her
hands.
"What would your mother and father
say?'
''They don't understand. Nobody I'M
derstands,' said the girl passionately.
"Come, Niche, tell me what is the mat
ter" said Eastlake kindly. Something
has gone wrong with you to-day"
'No," she said, slowly. cat least, it's
all right now"
''What was it,"
Michele looked up at him and met the
smiling kindness of his eyes, then hung
her head and made her confession. "Anne
sings so beautifully" she said, "and is
so good and everybody will be fond Of
her; and I don't feel fond of her at all.
is it very wicked? But l wish so much
that were tall and grand and digniied,
too"
'My dear little girl said Eastlake,
'nobody will be less fond of you because
Miss Carteret is here
81 don't know that. Of course l don't
mean papa and mamma: L mean other
people-my other friends
''You must not think of such thing,
or you will make yourself miserable.
Ion you tHlllh your pdleHls anu !oul
friends hearts are large enough to hold
two people? Besides, all that we know OF
Miss Carteret at present is that she sings
we'll and is handsome; but we have known
Niche. oh, for centuries, ever since she
wore short frocks and came up to my ell
bowl
''You are tired of Niche
81 never was less so in my life said
Eastake, with teasing pressure of her
hand.
CIJADTLrD VII