Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-04-29

After that visit to Monks Hall-a visit
sommemorated by a champagne luncheon
kn the great oak-paneled dining room and
n present of magnificent dollhouse flowers
from Sir Ralph to me 1T parting, we SEEM
cd to develop into rapid intimacy with our
neighbOrs Hardly day passed without
uncie or nephew coming over to see us
sometimes both. AS for Yorke Ferrers,
we had taken him into our joint fellow
afip without further demur, and he was
as much at home in the school room as
ourselves.
He and Atty became great friends; they
were constantly together-walked, talked,
rode, raced. confided in and fell out with
each other in regular boyish fashion, and
for the space of those Christmas holidays
were well-nigh inseparable.
But all things must come to an end, and
sAe holidays achieved that result in due
course. The boys went back to school.
Including Teddy, and Alfred entered upon
his first term at college, and Darby and |
were left without even the goyerness to
Keep us company, for my father consid-
cred I no longer needed one, and | would
never hear of any one but myself teach
ing the child.
"May | come over now and then to see
you and enliven your solitude?" Yorke
ferrers had asked the day the boys were
geaying.
eff am lonely" exclaimed, with sud
den indignation, as l looked at the four
bright rosy, boyish faces, q little grave
and downcast as the moment of parting
approached, ''if l am lonely you won't
make any difference-it is the boys |
want. You could never be the same"
II don't doubt that" he said. with some
of that old huffiness of air and voice that
] had always the llnack Of rousing. 81
never meant to enter into rivalry with
them. | only thought you might be dull"
Il am sure to be that" | answered de-
Seetedly. But l don't suppose you would
enliyen me very much. On the whole,
would rather have your uncle. He is
more sympathetic"
He flashed one of his thunderous looks
at me-
81 will send him, then" he said, Jelly;
and stalked off to where Ally stood, by
the head Of the impatient chestnut.
took no notice. | was used to his
short temper, and knew his anger never
hsted very long. The three boys were
Bidding farewell to Darby. Teddy was in
tears, and Ted and Hughie almost in the
same condition. The child herself was
very pale, and large drops rolled down her
cheeks as she chung to her favorite Teddy.
Then there came a moment of throttling
IS the strong, warm young arms were
round my neck, and Teddy cried out to
Darby: BE sure you don't forget me,
Gneksy," and the child uttered her usual
formula: "No, won't" and with final
Cow of tears and bood-bys they were off.
l went back into the hall with Darby
&, my arms. l had forgotten all about
Yorke Ferrers.
He does not come near me for a week.
During that week his uncle drops in twice
10 share the school room tea, and we in
sulge in desultory talk and friendly con-
Sciences, and l begin to think him even
Kinder, cleyerer and more companionable
than did at first.
But miss Yorke | miss him greatly
His fun, his little fits of pique, his gay
sallies, even our Quarrels and disagree
ments-I miss them all. l ask Sir Ralph
after him at last, and he says he is al
ways out-mostly with the Crofts. The
information gives me little pang, but |
say nothing.
Onc afternoon / start out for solitary
walk Darby has a cold, and l leave her
asleep in my own room under the care
Of the nurse. / have not been out Of
the house for several days, and certainly
Ai,is one is not particularly inviting. The
sky is steel-colored and dim: n cold wind
blows over the heath, and | turn aside
and enter the long stretch of wood that
Borders it in the hope of escaping its bois-
Serous attentions.
There, in the heart of the wood, loiter-
sag. / see the well-known figure of Yorke
Terrers. For moment little pleasure
BE thrill of gladness runs through my
veins, and involuntarily l quicken my
steps He hears me- l suppose. for he sud
denly turns round. and then stops, and
awaits my approach.
Swell" l say, and hold out my hand,
~Ayou are stranger! II have been Won
aering whether you had not started for
sse Antipodes. or-or elsewhere"
81 should have thought you were too
wel employed to miss me- he answers
scftily.
.sWen employed!' echo. II have only
had my usual employments You know
pretty well what they are"
t'Only lately they include a guest at
afternoon tea every day"
'.Every day. Then l break off into
0HW0eD laughter. how aDSuruly TOucnv
1oa are! Why, you will never get on in
Efc If you take offense at every imagined
sx1Re. All the same add demurely, II
nm very much obliged to YOU for so faith
sally delivering my message to your I'M
ode"
ale acted upon your invitation very
readily, must say"
"Why did you not come, too?"*I ask,
gaaneing at the moody face.
at was so likely he says with scorn.
-, at least, don't give my company where
u ss not wanted"
.aAnd so you took offense again. / say.
We'll, at least you have been amusing
HezFself very successfully, from all ac-
soants If your uncle took afternoon tea
with me, you took yours with Miss Nettic
Croft
did he tell you that?" he queries Gag
ssS. 81 suppose, with a little harsh
Aagh, che wanted to make you jealous.
-3salSus!' repeat angrily. "What abb