Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-12-30
CHAPTER ky.


1t was difficult task for Jane to APP
prise Rosie of what had taken place with
out letting her guess too much of the
truth. All she ventured to say was that
she thought Sir Wilfrid was spending a
great deal of time at the cottage, and had
felt herself called upon to give him a hint
not to come there so often.
Il must go and see him, then,' said
Rosie; $50 don't expect me home to tea
this evening, jane
She guessed that something more had
transpired between Jane and Wilfrld than
had been disclosed to her, and determined
to find out the truth; so, as soon as her
days work was completed, she took her
way to the Strand.
Sir Wilfrid's valet, Harvey, met her
with a grave face His master had been
out a great deal during the last ten days,
he said-a very great deal-and had kept
late hours, and, he was afraid he must
have taken a chill. He had looked very
poorly that morning when the valet took
I'D his hot water-so much so, that Har-
vey had brought doctor to his bedside;
and the doctor had said Sir Wilfrid must
not dream of getting up. And, indeed
concluded the man mysteriously-he did
not think there would be much more trou-
bic in the matter, as his master was alto
gether too i'll to stand.
Left alone with her brother, Kosle
found him very disinclined to talk. lie
appeared to be sullen or morose-a mood
which her affectionate heart attributed
entirely to his condition. He did not
mention Jane Warner or the cottage, and
when Rosie alluded to her friends he
made no reply. She stayed by his SIDE
for nearly an hour, trying to cheer him
I'D and to persuade him to take change
to the seaside as soon as his feyerlsh at
tack should have passed away. But Sir
Wilfrid met all her proposals with GEES
ture of impatience or dissent. After a
while the girl, seeing he looked drowsy,
wisely held her tongue. In a few minutes
he slept. and as soon as Rosie was con-
WINGED his sleep was sound, she rose 1gnt-
~ from her seat, and, turning DOWN lne
lamp, left the chamber.
Sir Wilfrid's sitting room was ON the
opposite side of the passage, and she en-
tered it to fetch her hat and gloves. AS
soon as she had turned the handle of the
door she saw that it was occupied. A man
stood with his back toward her, looking
out of the window, which commanded
view Of the Thames. AS she entered, be
ieving her to be a servant he demanded
CURLY, and without changing his position:
"Well-can Sir Wilfrid see me now?
Il beg your pardon" said Rosie bash
fully, '.but my brother is asleep"
The man at the window turned round
quickly, and peered eagerly at her
through the falling dusk.
Good heavens!' he exclaimed; is it
possible? Yes, it must be!'
And Rosie Ewell felt every drop of
blood in her body rush to her face as she
recognized the voice and figure Of Captain
Dorsay. He advanced toward her impress
sively, and took her hand as though he
had no doubt whatever Of the welcome he
should receive.
"Fancy it's being your he said, as he
pressed it warmly. Harvey told me that
Ewell had one Of his sisters with him, but
I concluded naturally that it was one Of
the Surbiton party. Sir Wilfrid never
even told me that he had found you. What
pleasant surprise! And you, Rosie-are
you not glad to see me again"
But Rosie was not disposed to be re-
sponsive. She drew her hand back abrupt
ly, and answered in a low voice:
mo"
"No?-not glad to see me?" he repeated
incredulously. "Oh, nonsense! | can't
believe that. You are a great deal too
good and too charming to be so cruel!
Why, | remember when you used to meet
me in the park at Lambscote [ thought
YOU the most amiable, as well as the pref
test little girl have ever seen. And you
are a thousand times Drettier noW-by
Jove, you are!'
Captain Dorsay," said Rosie, raising
her burning face to his, please don't
speak of that time. l hoped that you had
forgotten it long ago
Forgotten it! My dear child, as if
ever should forget it! Nor the deucedly
unpleasant way in which that spiteful
creature, Lady Ewell, put an end to it
ALL l have been longing to see you ever
since, Rosie. If YOU hadn't bolted from
us in that mysterious manner / should
have had an explanation from you long
ago. You didn't believe what Lena said
did you? She was simply mad with jeal-
ousy, and some women will tell false
hoods to gain their own way. You were
never so foolish as to think she spoke the
truth?'
Il did more than think it, Captain Dor
say know she spoke the truth And if
it were not for my poor brothers sake
l should say that it makes no difference
to me now whether she did so or not
1T made a difference to you then, Miss
Ewell"
Yes. know it did" she replied simply.
Il thought you were everything that is
good and true, and it seemed hard to lose
you. But | see things more plainly now,
and | am very glad it ended as it did,
You do not think of me-" said Captain
Dorsay jealousy. You do not ask what
| have suffered nor if / too am thank