Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-11-18

1t was large, handsome roo,, ~
gantly decorated with pictures ana
CRIMSON Wlndow-hangings. At the
Lufther end stood grand piano. closed
however, Ind on sofa beyond SAT =
gentleman Of about thirty, reading He
was dark and handsome, with black
halr and bronzed complexion. like
that OF a man who had spent manv
years in foreign countries. AS Maria
entered he rose with rather a per-
picked expression of countanence.
May l inqrire what has nrocurad
me this honor
Maria blushed, stammered, and at
length succeeded in faltering out the
words:
i am sorry to interrupt you, sir. but
| called to give music lesson. ac-
cordins to appointment. Will YOU
please introduce me to my pupil?''
"You are
Il am the person, sir, who advertised
under the initials M. c."
The gentlemen's turn for embarrass-
ment had come now, it seemed. for he
colored scarlet up to the very roots of
his hair.
Il thought I understood-that M.
c. was man,
No, SIR faltered Maria; "but I as
sure you l can produce the very best
testimonials of my ability to teach
music. If you will summon my pu-
pill
Mr.. Harvey laughed and loked even
more embarrassed than before.
There are Misunderstanding all
round" he said; cat least, it would
seem so. The truth isl hope it will
make no difference, but-well, I may
as well speak out at once-I am the
pupil
''You, sir?''
Maria stood dismayed, her soft, hazel
eyes fixed wonderingly on the tall six
footer who lowered above her, as he
stood leaning against the mantel-
piece.
'The fact is" said he, speaking rap
idly, to cover this embarrassment, "my
life has nearly all been spent in India,
and now, on my return, am anxious
to acquire some of the accomplish
And But you are weeping!"
1t was too true. The disappointment
had been too keen for Maria's seif-con-
troll, and the tears had begun to drop
noiselessly on her bonnet ribbon. She
brushed them nervously away.
cit is nothing" she faltered; "only
the-the disappointment. We are poor,
and had so counted on a music scholar,
and
Poor little Maria! she fairly broke
down here, and hid her face behind
her Grape veil.
'But I do not see why we should
both be disappointed, in teacher,
and you in a pupil said the gentle
man, earnestly. "Ofcourse, you will not
care to come here to give an old bache-
lor his lessons, but is there any good
reason why an old bachelor shouldn't
come to your residence? I assure you
I'm ready to be convinced that you will
make an excellent teacher
Maria smiled through her tears.
There was something very ridiculous
in the idea of that stalwart, hand
some fellow calling himself an old
bachelor
MAY I Gomez" persisted he, as he
moved toward the door,
II will see if mamma considers It.
proper" she said.
II should like to state the question
to mamma myself" said the gentle
man. MAY I not accompany you
home, and perhaps-take my first
lesson?"
Maria was half uncertain whether
she was doing right or wrong, but the
bright, frank eyes of the stranger
pleaded powerfully in his behalf; so
she said, little ungraciously:
Eyes, if you choose"
Mrs. Cooper was considerably aston
ished to see her daughter return with
red eyes and tall escort, but after
mature deliberation, she decided that
Mr.. Harvey might, with propriety, re-
ceive lessons from her daughter, pro-
vided that she presided over the piano.
But what is the use Of spinning
story into endless length when our
whole purpose will be answered pre-
cisely as well by a peep into the hand
some drawing in Fifth avenue,
about three years subsequently.
A bright fire glowed in the CRATE,
and beside the window sat Mrs. Cooper,
stately as ever, with baby grandson
Growing on her knee, and making vain
>snatches at her gold spectacles. Mr..
Harvey was at his writing table. Duslly
engaged in letter writing. The door
opened. and pretty, hazel-eyed young
wife came in-our old friend Maria.
Harry, 1 want to cut pattern. she
said. taking an old newspaper from
one of the compartments Of the open
desk ..May I have this paper? 1t Is
about the right SIZE.
He looked up into her brilliant eyes