Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-10-07

CHAPTER XXV.-(Continued)

CHAPTER XXV.-(Continued.)
Christmas and the opening Of the new
gear passed. February came in mild and
bright, bringing with it an odor of sweet
Siolets and a CLEAN Of snoWdrops; but
its beauty was all lost upon Peter Len
nox He must have suffered greatly, for
he had grown thin and pale. He was
not like the man who during the year
preceding had been the proud head of one
of the finest establishments in London.
Mrs. Carew had been away during the
winter months. She had returned in the
spring, for which season she had a pecu-
aiar liking But Mrs. Carew did not seem
Ito enjoy the season as she usually did.
There were whole days when she paced up
and down the garden paths, thinking
deeply, as one who had a problem to solve.
She has lost somewhat of her bright eX-
preston 1t was plain that there was
struggle going on in her mind.
81 used to think" she said to herself one
morning. chat human life was a jest. 1t
seems to me that in what has passed OF
mine have had the roses, and now must
prepare for the thorns.'
Her son Beltran came down to spend
his Sunday with her. The bright, grace
full artist, the changeful, lovable, viva
cious woman, the sensitive, gifted genius,
bowed her son better than the whole world.
She was proud of him. She glories in his
bright, strong manhood. She giorled IN
his talents and his goodness.
He looked pale and wan. He had the
air of one who had worked hard not only
during the day, but far into the night,
when he should have slept. His mother
taxed him with it, and he told the truth.
For some time he had worked nearly
twenty hours out of twentyfour.
'Why not pay for assistance, and save
yourself?' his mother asked.
Because 1 want every shilling, mother,
that l can earn" he replied. Il have not
rone to spare
Her bright, changeful face clouded.
why do you want money so. Beltran?'
she asked.
ITO marry mother" he answered. II
want pretty home for my darling. She
does not hurry me about it-she would
he willing to wait for years; but l. am
anxious about her"
"Why?" she asked again. do you
doubt her?"
doubt her, my dearest mother? he
eried. Il would just as soon doubt heav
en-. There are few so loyal or true as
she. 1t is not that; but Lady Ailsa is not
strong, you know, and Beatrix tells me
how she suffers at Strathnarn. I want
to fetch them both away, and l cannot I'M
It'll I have a home for them"
Docs that cross, stern old man still
hold out, then?' asked Mrs. Carew. "Does
he show 10 signs of relenting?"
mo, and never will. We do not speak
about him. His money and his lands are
forgotten We never think of him when
we make our plans. Only one thing trou
rbles us. mother BeatriX has shown such
truth and fidelity; for love Of me she has
declined to be Duchess Of Heathland; for
Cove of me she has lost one Of the largest
fortunes in England. No man living
cares less for money than do; but wish
how ! wish.-that | had fortune for
her sake Work as | will, it must be
many years before my income will be
more than moderate. Oh, mother, if
had but a reasonable rent roll, | should
be the happiest man in the world!'
But you tell me always that Beatrix
does not care for wealth." observed Mrs.
Carew.
''Nor does she, mother. At the same
time l wish with all my heart that /
had it to give her. OF course it can never
be. but should have liked to go to her
and say: You gave up everything for me,
my darling, now it is in my power to re
pay YOU
Would that make you very happyY
she asked, musingly.
Yes, very happy" he replied.
Il will think the matter over, Beltran."
What good will thinking do, mother?"
he asked: Rather forget it and do not
mind my troubles"
you would really be the happiest man
in the world if you had wealth, Beltran?"
she interrupted.
Yes, should indeed. But mother. do
not think that l am complaining. The
man who makes fortune is greater than
the man who inherits one. | must work
hard. study hard. and save my money!
She looked at him wistfully.
You must not work by night and day"
she said. that will not do. Beltran, if l
could give you wealth and did not, you
would consider me very cruel, l sup
pose?'
Il should indeed" he laughed. But
as that is not the case, l consider you
very kind"
And Mrs. Carew turned away when she
heard the words.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Mrs. Carew had many long fits of mus
ing after that conversation She saw
that her son loved his heautiful fianooa