Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-07-15

misty al No"AN 49, ~ y
veins.
When I reached the villa grounds l
zvos still far from being as calm as 1
,rishnd to be. The subtle sense of asso-
o;otion hung about the place. Wherever
moved or looked, seemed to see Joan
os I had been used to see her. Every
bush was like a ghostly figure; every
roth 4 landmark of some scene or word.
Whom nj last | turned corner, and came
faco to face with Joan herself, l could
hardly believe it was reality. She wore a
White dress, and had n little lace handker-
chief tied under her chin. AS she saw me
she started. Perhaps the morning light
showed us the changes that time had
Wrought, as the previous night had failed
to do.
She came up to me and put out her
hand.
"norby is not WE'LL" she said, hurried
II. "she seems to have taken q chill. l
have lust sent man for the doctor. She
bos fallen asleep now, but l don't like
her looks"
81 was afraid she would be ILL.," I an
swrred, as | turned round and walked
beside her to Che house. did she tell you
about coming to my room last night?'
Not she exclaimed in wonder. ITO
your room What for?"
she evidently thinks" I said, 'that we
are not quite on good terms-you and /
and she wished to help me to better
understanding; SO she came to me with
your journal, and begged me to read it"
with ing journal!' she cried, her face
growing suddenly scarlet. "Oh, she had
no rght-ahe should not have done that!
1t was very wrong of her.
''Do not agitate yourself" l said coldly.
"You surely do not suppose l would read
one word of it without your knowledge!'
She stopped and looked up in my face.
''You-have not?' she said TREMENDOUSLY.
"Of course not" l answered. "Your
confidence is sacred. l should never think
of violating it,
4 strange little smile came to her lips.
Il might have known" she said. Il
might have trusted; you are so different
10 others
II hope" I said, 'that any one who
4 knows the meaning of honor would be-
have in 4 similar names. l will give
You back your book if you will come to my
room"
very wen, sic S'ItAS tAAAN AVA
lowed me across the vestibule.
went in and took her journal from
the dSawer where | had placed it. She
stood on the threshold aId watched me.
came up to her and placed the book in
her hands. AS did so she turned very
pale, then looked up in NY face.
Il ought to have no secrets from you,
she said slowly "And don't know why
l should mind your reading this. There
is nothing wrong-only-- it is very
foolish"
My DEAR I said gravely, II have no
wish to learn anything about you that
Your own lips cannot tell me. Some day,
perhaps, you will understand me better
than You have yet dccae But 1 am con-
tent to wait"
Sue put her hand IT, her head with that
touch of perplexity.
70 wait" she ssi1 slowly; "that is
very hard, l know ought to have told
You long ago, only think 1 was afraid.
hut am not afraid now"
drew her into the room and closed the
door.
joan l said quietly, "tell me the en-
'Fe TRUTH Between us there should be
nothing to ConeeaS or to avoid. Is there
nothing You remefaher"
Her hands nergeusly clasped and I'M
faSpcd the fastening of the book she held.
1T is all-here,' she said family; "only
/ have not DARED to look since l recov-
cred"
lie color wavered in her cheek; her
eyes met mine slowly, in questioning ap-
PEAL
II you would read it for me-" she said,
%4N Geld the book toward me. l saw her
Aand rcmble I took it and held it in my
own
Ae You quite sure" l asked chat
you Mean this? Do you think there is
"3,oAs here you would rather l did not
'"N' leu say you cannot remember;
YOU may havN written things down that
were meant only for your eyes,
"Ie Anook Ter head. She looked ut me
WI" IN '"e trust and simplicity of a child.
"0i never deceive you again." she
N NheF YOU know me as | am, you
+ n%S nc: as You Please. 1t is all there, /
"N' aA except that time when my mem
~, 'AI9i. Perhaps" she added sorrow
T MY You :nay hate me-or despise me.
i"eFe may De things written down there
1"' hENe' meant any one to know; but
WIN are SO good, II do not think you
, ,,~ 0e R2ra on me. am sorry l did not
~, lo' t;om the first"
sr,. -a"u 80 am /, heaven knowsr' I an
. .I hsSw my breath.
sbo WILL WIN give You all the day to read it, y
w VII; went OH presently. Then tonight
wbo ,H inset you in the garden-where-
five VA tod You | would be your wife
Vars :eHrs ago. Do you remember?'
thern : answered gravely. 81 will be
Know ! iiVed out that day I hardly
and 3ou smut myself up with that book,
Eye,rre sotred its pages with hungry eyes
bow ho +elall OF that young, brave life was
Ia hare me-its tenderness, its wreck
With tsr ITS broken faith, its struggles
its grad Md ~, its long hidden sorrow
pud tSn 1ai awakening to new happiness,
hand No awful death-blow that my own
IF Tau struck at that happiness.