Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-12-02
went about her work with cheerful alac.

the maid, Caroline, came to say young
lady wished to see her.
"a young lady, Caroline? What is it
for? Does she want any rooms-because
we have none vacant"
Il don't know, miss. She didn't say.
Only she asked for you particular.
She placed the infant, with kiss, in
the servants arms and walked slowly to
the parlor. AS she entered it Rose Ewen
confronted her. At first Jane thought
Sir Wilfrid must be ill or dying, and had
sent for her, and all the blood forsook
her cheek. She grasped the back Of
chair with her hands to steady herself,
and asked, family:
''What is it? What do you want?"
Rosie's expectations were chilled by this
reception.
"Oh, Miss Warner, have I done wrong
in coming to you? But I am SO wretched
so unhappy and I thought you would
be my friend
There was no need for that appeal. Di-
rectly Jane understood that the girl was
in distress and in want of friend, all her
womanly sympathies went out toward
her.
you are welcome to stay here as long
as you like. / was only wondering if amy
members of your family would follow you
here"
"They cannot. They have not even
heard me mention your name. But have
never forgotten you, Miss Warner, and
when felt SO much wanted a fried
thought of you at once, and believed some
how that you would not refuse to be
friend me-"
1T will be safer for you to take another
name. Your-your brother was SO well
known in this house, and we have friend
"a very dear, good friend-but rather in
quisitive, and If she hears you are Sir
Wilfrid's sister she will never rest until
she has found out the reason for your
coming here
'What shall call myself? Decide for
me- Jane
''Any name will do that is not notice
able. Shall we say Miss Fraser? My
mother and Miss Prosser will be home
shortly, and we had better decide before
they come"
Eyes; Fraser will do as we'll as any 9TH
err NAME and I will not forget that am
Rosie Fraser"
Mrs. Warner, busily engaged in dis
cussing her meal, did not evince the leas
curiosity ON the subject of Rosie's sudde
appearance in the midst Of their domesE
circle. But Jane saw that Miss Prose-
thought it strange there had been NO pre-
monitory symptoms of such an event, OF
that she was not further enlightened up
ON it now, and was thankful when the
supper was concluded and she had fair
pretext for withdra wing with her friend.
But, shut in the seclusion Of the bed
room, James mood underwent singular
alteration. She seemed as if she wished
| to postpone the explanation, to hear which
she had retired SO early. Rosie took pos
session of a footstoo1, and flung her arms
across Jane Warmers knee.
| ct is very dreadful story, Jane, and
1 hardly know in what words to tell it
YOU. Yet l feel must. have repeated
| it to no ONE else-not Wilfrid even, nor
mamma-because it might injure Lena
with those who are obliged to live with
her. But as you never will know her
and if you did I feel you would keep my
secret have less hesitation in confding
it to YOU"
II will faithfully guard any secret of
your own you conide to me, but don't
tell me those Of anybody else"
II know you will say he must be bad
man. and not worth caring for" continued
Rosit But you know, Jane, that you
can't leave off loving person all at once
because you find out that he is not wor-
thy"
Eyes, dear, know" answered the 9th
err, with I pressure Of the hand.
"And then she told me / must leave
Lambscote, and what could I do? could
not have stayed there with Lena and-and
that man."
''No, no. cried Jane warmly. "It was
impossible"
"And be traitor to poor Wilfrid, eat
ing his bread, and letting him be deceived
under his very eyes. So went home to
my mother and she wouldn't let me re
main with her, Jane. She heard some
garblel account of this story from Lady
Otto-that's Lena's mother-and said
was not fit to live with my sisters, and she
should take me back to Lambscote Hail.
and make me beg Lena's pardon. And
that 1 will never do" said Rosie deter
minedly. II will not beg Lena's pardon,
nor will betray her to Wlfrid. And so
there is but one course left open to me-
to earn my own living; and came to you,
Jane, to ask if you can help me. I have
no claim ON you, dear, except your past
kindness to my brother But felt some
how as if you would be my friend"
''You felt right, dear. I will be as good
friend to you aus is in my power. But
this gentleman you speak of, are you sure
he will not follow you down here?'
''How can he, Jane? He does not know
your name"
'But-but Sir Wilfrid ?'-said Jane in
/ low voice.
ooh, no, he will not come. I do not
know why, but he will not let me men
ton you before him now. What is the
reason, Jane? Is he angry with you?
Have you quarreled?"
mo, not exactly; but there is coolness.
Don't question me about it, Rosie, for
can tell you no more. But if your story
is true-as have no doubt it is-and YOU
have no home either at Lambscote or
/ Sr1hitnn why look unnn this as rour