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

a little more, Lena, or a little less,
uon { know If | am FOOL but il am
YOU nave made me SO. May 1 put that
question to you once more? May plead
again, and hear if you reiect?'
l am listening she answered faint
".
Iou Know what my position is as well
as do-Will you share it! Will you take
/ pack those cruel words Of two years ago,
ahu say am not too presumptuous now
IN asking you to be my wife?"
Les, yes! They were not my words
9eneve me, and recall them thankfully
! VIII De all that You may wish me, if
you VIII promise on your part never to
remember them again"
never! my dearest, never! Oh! do you
know now happy you have made me?
ieei half wild with JOY. When shall we
ieave this ccnfounded boat and reach the
sno1e! What a penance it is not to be
aole TO thank you properly for your sweet
consent! oh, Lena! I will do all can
to repay you for your gracious answer to
me-"
I shall be repaid sufficiently. l have
no fear of that" she replied, as modestly
as II he had been the first man who had
ever looked love into her eyes ''But
don let these people guess what we have
been talking about Wilfrid. Had you
not better leave me for little? Suppose
you so and tell mamma. She has been
SO anxious about me. She will rejoice to
hear it is all right at last
Sir Nilfrid did as she desired him, and
took seat by Lady Otto. But he felt
very much constrained as he did so. b.
the side of Lena, heated by wine and in
famed with passion, he had thought Of
nothing but gaining possession of her, and
of hearing her revoke the words which
had ranked in his breast for years. But
to have to inform her mother that he
had asked her to be his wife, and she had
consented, seemed to plunge him into a
moral shower bath. He had done the
deed then, which he had longed for but
dreaded, for weeks past. He had ac-
tually proposed to Miss st. Blase, and
been accepted by her. He had compromis
ed himself to set aside that first marriage
to cast off Jane Warner-and to take
another wife to his bosom. Until he sat
down by Lady Otto and tried to frame the
words in which to convey the news to her,
he did not seem to have realized what he
had done. Yesterday it had seemed far
aWay-something quite uncertain. and sc
distinctly in the future. To-day it was ac-
tually an accomplished fact. A moment
of delirious longing-a convenient prox-
imlty-a few imprisoned words-and he
had done what he never could undo. He
had pledged himself to put away Jane
Warner and to marry Lena ST. Base The
proportions Of the deed he had committed
himself to, seemed all at once to assume
such magnitude that he turned sick and
dizzy, and Lady Otto asked him if he
were i'll.
Il feel rather giddy," he said, in an
sWer. Il think it must be the smell Of
the engine oil. Have you not perceived
it rather strong all day." And without
further remark he left her side again,
and walked to the other side of the vessel.
He was all on the alert when they reach
ed Richmond, and squeezed Lena's hand
until he hurt her, as he wished the ladies
goodnight; but Miss st. Blase was very
much astonished on reaching home to find
that her mother was still ignorant of the
important event that had occurred.
well, mamma" she said, as they en-
tered their own house; "and so, you see,
/ have accomplished my little business.
What did you say to him when he told
you of it?''
Told me Of what? Whom are you
speaking OFF,"
.'Why, of Sir Wilfrid, of course! Didn't
he tell you we are engaged?
mo! When did it happen? He never
said word on the subject My dear
child, let me congratulate you. But how
very strange that Sir Wilfrid should not
have informed me Of itv'
Every. Particularly as he left me on
purpose to do so. Yes; it's all right. He
asked me plump as we were coming home;
and, Of course, I said Yes Perhaps he
had had too much champagne and will
want to cry off tomorrow"
Don't talk of such thing, my dear.
The general would soon bring him to book
if he did. No! There is no fear Of that.
Sir Wilfrid is far too honorable by ma
ture; besides, anyone can see how much In
love he is with you. Well, you are very
lucky girl! That's my opinion and hope
you think So, too"
Ito be continued.)
Descent from Balloon by Bicycle.