Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-11-25
CHAPTER XIV.

they were startled by hearing an ap-
preaching footstep, and moment later
Lady Ewell stood before them.
Anger was flashing in her eyes and
mantling on her cheeks, but, taking no
heed of Captain Dorsay, she walked
straight up to Rosie Ewelps side.
''You wretched girl.' she exclaimed. Il
guessed how it was. You must come
home at once with me to your brother"
"Gently--gently! Lady Ewell, if you
please. You are going little too fan" he
said. Il do not think that even Sir Will
frid would find fault with my accompany
ing his sister in her afternoon walk.
'Do you suppose l didn't see you!' she
retorted, sharply, with your arms round
her waist, and kissing her as openly as
if she had been your wife? Don't at
tempt to deceive me, Jack. l have sus-
pected how things were going on between
you for some time past, and was deter
mined to see for myself. And YOU shall
not disgrace the family by making fool
of this girl for your own amusement, and
l tell you SO, once and forever. 1t is
lucky l have discovered your tricks before
they had gone too far.
How dare you speak of such thing in
connection with-with Jack and mew
cried Rosie, with her face aflame. He is
going to marry me some day-are you
not, Jack?-when he has more money,
and
Going to marry you!' repeated Lena,
with whitening scorn. CA likely story.
AS if Captain Dorsay would, or could,
ever marry anybody. He knows we'll
enough that there is barrier that must
ever prevent"
Lady Ewell," exclaimed Dorsay hasti-
ly, Il must entreat you to hold your
tongue. That story was told you in the
strictest confdence-it is known to scarce
ly any cther-and if you repeat it now
you will be guilty of breaking your own
most sacred word
II will be silent on only one condition
that you tell this girl before me that
there is an insuperable obstacle to your
marrying her Cor any woman), and that
you never could have entertained the idea
of marriage while making love to her,"
Miss Ewell knows it," he replied I'M
easily; II have told her plainly. | re-
peated it only to-day-that | cannot mar
ry--that it is impossible. She has been
perfectly aware of the fact from the be-
ginning"
"And yet you could go on meeting him,
and kissing him. said Lena to- Rosie.
gu are a paragon of virtue, upon my
word!'
Rosie, for her part, was leaning up
against tree, white and breathless with
surprise.
mot now, jack" she gasped; Il knew
you could not marry me just now. But
by and by, surely, you have said again
and again-indeed, had no doubt but
that you would marry me by and by"
Il must beg, Miss Ewell," interposed
Lena, with virtuous severity, ''that you
will not call this gentleman by his Chris
tan name in my presence. What has
happened behind my back, l thank heav-
en- neither know nor care; but while l
am by, I request you will remember that
/ belong to the same family as YOURSELF.
"Rosie, l entreat you, leave us!' he
CALCULATED; "go back to the house. This
is no scene, no knowledge for you"
"No, no! l will stay, and | will know
ALL" she answered.
II mean you to know ALL" said Lena,
call that mans treachery and falsehood.
He has been my lover for years, he pro-
fesses to be my lover still; and, if it had
not been that he cannot marry me, l
never should have married your brother.
But NO other woman shall have him,
while stand by to'prevent it. He shall
not deceive another girl as he did me. You
are mine, Jack" she continued fercely,
'mine by virtue of that secret, and when
YOU desert me the world shall know it as
plainly as l do
"What is this secret" demanded Rosie,
in faint voice. Captain Dorsay, do tell
me- Let me know the worst at once"
II cannot deny that l have been fortu-
nate enough to enjoy much of Lady
Ewel's favor before she was Lady
Ewell," replied Captain Dorsay; ''but
naturally that is adj over now"
''You know better. 1t is not over. You
told me only last night that it would
never be-" interposed Lena.
"You will not allow me to say word
for myself" he said, turning away.
''It is enough. / don't want to hear
any more" sobbed Rosie; II have been
very foolish, I dare say, and very easily
imposed upon; but you know, Captain
Dorsay, that what she thinks is not true"
Il am perfectly aware that no one but
myself has been to blame in this NATTER"
he replied, ''and ask your pardon, Miss
Ewell, for amy unpleasantness to which
it may have given rise"
He raised his hat and turned away as
he spoke, feeling very shamefaced at be-
ing found out, and very revengeful toward
the one who bad wrought this mischief
between him and Rosie. And she, too,
with one parting glance at him, COM
menced to retrace her steps in the oppo-
site direction. Lena, who did not know
what revelations she might not, in the
innocence of her heart, Immediately make
to her brother, sprang after her.
''You cannot go home alone in this state,
Rosie. Let me go with you."
mo, no. do not want anyone-you,