Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-06-17

Ill L IOllOWtu out the lluc VI SoAiuUSe
had set myself. There was nothing else
to be done; and hated to think. Physl-
cal fatigue prevented that; and | grew
thankful for the WEAKNESS that left me
so pale and listless and worn, since my
brain grew less active by reason of that
very WEAKNESS.
In the warm summer days the feelings
of lassitude and fatigue grew greater
the hours for which Darby served as ex-
cuse were generally spent by me lying on
the sofa in utter prostration OF mind ana
body. Now and then Sir Ralph looked
at me auxiousIy. care you not doing too
muchp' he would say; but only laughed,
and affirmed afresh my enjoyment ana
my strength 1t seemed to me that l
could not give up now. Bad as this lie
was, the other would be ten thousand
times worse.
In August we went back to Monks
Hall. I was glad to be home once more,
glad to see the old familiar places, glad
to run over to Templeton and hear Of my
fathers literary successes; glad, but yet
with little of the old gladness, to gather
the boys around NE once again, from
school and college, and hear the merry
and tormenting that still were part and
parcel of themselves. They left at last,
and then some male visitors came, and
among them Yorke Ferrers. Sir Ralph
had suggested it, and l had listlessly
agreed. Nettie, of course, came over, too,
and the September days brought the un-
failing dogs and guns and game-bags.
| had opportunity for rest then. The
strain and tax of entertaining were lifted
off my mind, and no one, even Nettle,
knew that half my days were passed ~
ing passiveiy in my dressing room, too
weary even to read or speak.
l am wrong, though. Some one else
knew 1t was Mrs. March. She had
found ME in this listless fashion so many
times that at last she remarked it, and l
excused myself by saying that the IA
tigues of the season had been too much
for me, and that only wanted rest. The
very day afterwards l was surprised by
Nettie bringing her visit to an abrupt end.
The usual plea was given-her grand
mothers wish. did not combat it.
| remembered afterwards that Mrs
March had been in the room when Nettie
spoke. and as made that remark she half
turned and flashed a strange, eager look
On her direction.
When | was once more alone, she fidget-
ed about the room on one excuse Or an
other, asking me perfectly unnecessary
questions, arranging things that wanted
no Arrangement, until | grew somewhat
impatient.
"Will you excuse me, my lady" she
said abruptly, eff I venture to ask you
a question? Is Miss Croft engaged?"
II don't see how Miss Croft's affairs
can possibly interest you," l said coldly
and took up book to show that I did
not mean to discuss the subject.
She said no more, but left the room.
"Joan," said Darby, few moments
afterward, creeping up to my side, Il
don't like Mrs. March. 1 have always
had feeling that she is not safe"
"Not safe dear?" l said in surprise.
''What do you mean?'
She shook her head.
I'll can't tell more than that. She
doesn't like you, and she is so often with
Sir Ralph. l have heard the servants
say So"
.'You mustn't listen to servants COS
sip" I said coldly. ''And what does it
matter whether she likes me or not as long
as she does her duty?'
81 wish,' the child persisted. ''you could
send her away, 10. l have been think
ing that, ever since she came, you have
changed. And why does Sir Ralph never
come to us as he used to do? And oh, 10
dear 10! why are you always SO I'M
happy"
"Unhappyv' 1 said "What makes you
fancy that? Only low-spirited and tired,
dear 1 think l am not as-as strong as
used to be-"
'You used to be strong" she said visit
fully; nothing ever tired you once. Don't
YOU" she added suddenly, don't you like
being married.
I tried to laugh. l think it surprised
me a little that the laugh ended in a sob,
and that the incisive question brought
tears to my eyes.
81 am very weak and foolish" I said
hurriedly. 1T is my own fault that am
not as-as happy as | might be-"
There came knock at my door at that
moment, and the next instant it opened
at my permission and admitted Yorke
Ferrers.
"Is-is Nettie here?" he asked Then
his eyes rested on my agitated face, and
his own changed suddenly.
He closed the door and came into the
room.
.'Nettie is packing" 1 said, calmly.
'You know she is leaving this morning."
EYES," he said. II am going to drive
hex over. / wanted to know what time
she would want the carriage"
Il will ask her. said Darby, eagerly.
and slipped away from my side, and was
out of the room in moment.
Yorke stood by the fireplace. idly finger
ing the ornaments and figures on the
mantelboard.
I had risen from the couch, but now
reseated myself. 1t was long, long time
since We had had a tete-a-tete. We had
been conventional and friendly for SO long
that felt no dread or embarrassment in
his presence.
Presently he raised his head He did
nat look ct me, but straight into the
LON Lossaon sea1es sasss sfeWa