Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-04-22
CHAPTER III.

-Four days had passed, and Sunday had
come, and this Sunday was Christmas
day. 1t was a clear, bright, frosty day,
with brilliant sunshine that sparkled on
trees and hedges and the diamond iccles
that beautified their baroness.
Darby was standing by the window,
ready equipped for church in crimson pc
hsse and furs, out of which her golden
head and sweet white-rose face lifted
themselves like a flower. The child knew
perfectly we'll when l was dressed and
ready for her. At times really it SEEM
cd to me as if she must be able to see so
keen were her instincts and so infallibly
correct
I was settled in the family pew, where
generations and generations of Temple
tons had worshiped in their time, and
Darby had nestled close to me, and with
awe-struck face. was listening to the deep
rolling tones of the organ. AS the clergy
man entered and took his place [ saw two
figures appear in the great square pew
opposite our own. AT the same instant a
nudge from Ted and whisper of '"The
Rover sent the color flying to my face
and overwhelmed me with sudden fit of
shyness.
| could not for worlds have investigated
thc newcomers with the cool, critical stare
of my brothers. 1t was not, in fact, until
che service was half over that | summon
ed up courage to look in their direction.
Then saw bright. handsome face, with
laughing eyes. that met my own as II
claiming acquaintance with me, and III
renewed confusion | dropped my lowered
lids upon my book. thinking to myself:
''So-that is the nephew l had not seen
the uncle at all.
After the service we filed out of the pew
and marched down the aisle-a family
procession. headed by father and brought
ND by Darby and myself. Close upon our
heels came the inmates of Monk Hall.
As we left the church porch and emerged
into the bright. frosty air, | saw a tall
figure push rapidly by and come up with
father. He. in turn stopped, then pleas
cd look of welcome broke over his face
There was brisk shaking of hands, a
crowd of questions. Then my father
turned round and faced the group of sons
and daughters with which Providence had
seen fit to bless him, and we heard his
slow. clear voice introducing us generally
20 his old and esteemed friend. Sir Ralph
Ferrers. Sir Ralph shook hands with the
boys individually. and then looked at me
as [ stood little apart holding Darby's
hand.
''My eldest and youngest daughters
said father, and the kindest, noblest face
I have ever seen was looking down at me
and at the tiny hand drawn slowly out of
the little mufT. and held towards him.
And what is your name, my dearT' he
asked, holding the wee hand in his great
PALM and gazing with little puzzled
Took in his keen gray eyes at the lovely
little face. on which the winter sunlight
Fell so galy.
Il is Darby" she says, in her pretty,
plaintiye voice; land dis is JOAN" taking
her hand aw!ly and putting it in mine.
Sir Ralph looked astonished.
DARBY and Joan!' he echoed ga new
version of the old story, Miss Temple
tom
It's only Il nickname the boys gave
her,' said hurriedly, for l saw the gath
sring cloud on fathers face; ''her real
name is Dorothea.'
No it not affirmed the child, shaking
her golden head; ''it's Darby, and mes
JOS little husband
Sir Ralph laughed outright. and as I
met his kind. frank eyes, l laughed too,
feeling as if his genial face put me on
good terms with him directly.
..But | am forgetting myself" he re-
sumed quickly; Il must introduce my
nephew to you all. Here, Yorke, my boy,
come forward and show YOURSELF"
l did not need to look at the face,
KNEW it so we'll l could have told to a
shade the color of hair and eyes, the
shape of the laughing mouth, with its
sweep of fair rsuStache; the beautifully
nodded. if somewhat weak-looking chin;
She 1.-THE, careless grace of figure. There
syere more bows and hand-clasps, and
then we moved on. our numbers augment
cd by two and l heard father warmly in
sisting upon these new acquaintance
coming to take their Christmas dinner
with us.
We all walked on together, father and
Sir Ralph chatting in Il friendly and ia
naiIiar fashion that amazed us, Yorke Fer
rers and King Alfred just behind them.
and Ted clinging to my arm. schoolboy
fashion. rs walked along with Darby
Presently Yorke Ferrers and Atty turn
around and join us.
alfred" | ask, ''did you notice that
old Mrs Bazebrook was in church? l
wonder who that pretty girl was with
aer. Do you know:
That" says Yorke. quietly. SIS her
granddaughter. Miss Croft-Nettie Croft.
know her very well. What a horrid old
woman the grandmother is! Do you-at
scast. | suppose you do know her."
-'She is one of our oldest and dearest
sriends,'' says Ted calmly and menda-
eiously. and with rebuking gravity of
voice that would not misbecome father.
glance at Yorke Ferrers' disconnected
Sace, and then at my brothers surprised
raes. / feel indignant.
do not believe him, Mr.. Ferrers."
say hurriedly ''She is nothing of the
sort. We detest her-a mean, backbiting.
kpssefnl old woman. / am sorry for her
granddaughter"
so am L. he says. Aoking 1T me CRATE
fully.
CHAPTER ".
The Christmas dinner is over We have
saten of turkey and plum pudding; we