Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-10-28

De gao 70 see America again. and dear
old New York?''
Edith, do You know I rather dread
it-getting back? Here have Won all
to myself. There-well, I might &c
well tell you, [ am desperately selfish
Angels are, sometimes. Expect Jack
Dorr will be in town, won't he? He
was to have returned last month"
Yes, very probably, but
L wonder if you will take offense If
| tell you something he went on. in
terruptlng her, with a consciousness
OF what she was about to ask. 81 have
not been blind. I am sure that If Won
were not engaged to me you would
marry Jack. He is better than /. 7 adj
nit; only am in luck, as always, and
he has been pursuing hard lines I
would not blame you. All the girls
like him. am not complaining, Ed
it'll, only I want to let you see that I
am taking you with my eyes open, and
you need have no secrets from me. T
trust you, DEAR"
Roger, please don't. Jack and I
have been friends for many years
quite too many to mention, for I am
terribly old. Now I am your afianced
wife, and no one else, except my
mother, has any claim on me- can
not say love you, dear, as some wom-
en- love men. We have talked this
matter over before. But I do admire
and respect you, very, very much
Let's discuss something new
Thomson moved uneasily, and set
tied down as if with liked purpose.
His hand stole along the arm of her
chair and covered her fingers.
NO" he replied, II want to say a
little more, and please listen to me. l
fear l am in disagreeable mood, but
this is about the last chance 1 shall
have to set matters right, and it is not
too late. If you think you will ever
regret having married me, Edith, you
ought to say so now. II will release
you-that is, you know what I mean.
You're not bound
Roger, don't"
eyes, must go on, dearest. I wish
I was not rich or useless I am man,
as we'll as Jack Dorr, but I have had
urged to do anything to make people
look up to me. Of course I am not a
sot or roue. But what am I? There's
Jack, who is making his way alone and
unaided, and getting no end of praise
for the work he is turning out. He is
bound to be great sculptor, every
body says. He is mighty fine fellow,
nd ir1 Oh ho Of i'm
Until I met you I never had an incent-
i've to make my mark. You see our
family have always had everything
they wanted, and I was brought up to
it."
Dear boy, you must not talk so. I
know, and I wish everyone knew,
what generous, noble man you are
one of the very best in the world. I
used to like Jack; all the girls do, as
you say. I might have married him, if
circumstances had permitted it, but at
the time he was too poor to support us
both. Now, understand, his future
is assured. He was my playmate and
companion, oh, so long. But, dear, l
owe you debt of gratitude that can
y
wish, the happiest man alive. If 9TH
ers knew what you have done for US
mamma and me-when we were in
trouble, they would not be forever
bringing up Jacks name. They would
see why I admire you, and why I
am glad to give myself to you, if you
really want me. So let's drop the sub
ject. I am going to be your wife just
as soon as can, and you cannot get
out of it, and I expect to be happy,
too"
81 don't know" laughed Thomson.
IT could run away from my dreadful
fate, and leave you to my worthy Jack.
But I suppose I ought to be satisfied to
lave you for my own, even II you do
not love me as I hoped you would Oh,
Edith he continued wistfully, If
could only win your entire heart!
feel now that I have bought, not
earned YOU
"What is the use of talking that way,
Roger? You deserve me, if ever man
did woman I cannot go through lie
with a lie on my lips, by telling you l
love you. 1t would be unjust to you,
and YOU would be miserable when you
came to see it. I have laid bare to you
nv sanctum sanctorum, and now, dear,
won't YOU take me as | ann"
sWho am to refuse such gift? But
If T was out of the road, you would
marry Jack, wouldn't you?-and am
keeping you from it.
The girl arose, her eyes filled with
tears. "You are unkind," she replied.
seI am trying to please you and be TO
YOU all that you want, and fall to sat
isfy you. Now I am going to NAM
ma"
"Forgive me, Edith" said the man.
stepping to her side. II had no Dusl-
ness to do that You are too gooo TOT
me. Let me know if I can do any
thing for the mater. / am going TO