Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-02-11
CHAPTER IN.


one afternoon; all of them apparently in
wild spirits. Just as they were about to
leave the carriage some scufile took place
between Harold and Greek who would
not move out Of the way; jerk OF the
train, a stumble Of Harold's, and both he
and the man next him were thrown for
ward on the platform. Harold sprang
up laughing, but the other person did not
rise so soon.
Come, get up, Lawrence" said Mr.
Calcott, who was one of the party, 1--WE
cant wait all day for YOU
Lawrence turned so pale that his friends
thought he was going to faint and sur
rounded him in dismay. The train rolled
on, and Il crowd of wondering Arabs be-
gan to gather. Seeing this, Lawrence
tried to get upon his feet. but found the
effort impossible. And after 4 little con-
sultation the others thought it best to
carry him % the nearest house, which
was that of Mr.. Eastake himself; and
this they would have done, but for the
unexpected arrival of Mr.. Dumaresq.
'If there is anything wrong you will be
anore easily taken care of in my house
than in Eastlakes, Mr.. Lawrence he
said, Especially as it seems to have been
J.
anything serious; but l aiu pretty sure
that you have fractured the bone. l Won
der where DR.. Hughes can be found?'
The doctor and the injured man arrived
almost simultaneously. Lawrence was
conscious, but suffering much pain. The
hurt to his leg proved to be IL fracture, and
the doctor told him that be had better not
think of moving for the next six weeks.
hal l,t{ 30 Ia,
hotel" said Lawrence family, but with
an urgency OF manner that surprised his
hearers. Gould | not ne moved there at
once? I don't like to trouble Mrs. Dumar-
esq"
1T will not trouble her ut all. She will
be glad to have YOU" enid Mr. Dumaresu
decisively, especially rs Harold was to
blame for the accident
Not at ALL 1t WIS my fault" was
Lawrence's eager answer. But further
conversation was stopped by order of the
doctor, who was afraid of fever fox his
patient One question only Lawrence in
sisted upon asking, % Boon as he YVES sure
that Dumaresq was out Of earshot.
"'Would it not be possible to move me to
the hotel?"
NO" said the doctor, CURLY. Then, in
an indignant ton, why should you
move? Is Mrs. OSmaresq not good
enough hostess fof you? You don't know
when you're well off,"
Lawrence smiled for moment, then
looked grave and breathed quick, impa-
tient sigh. 1t seemed as though the young
man had a positive repugnance against
staying in Mr.. Dumaresq's house He
was very feveTish for the next two or
three days, aI:I was ordered complete
quietncss. He saw nobody, therefore, but
the nurse and the doctor, and Mr.. Du-
maresq for five minutes q day; but when
the first week had passed, he was allow
ed On occasional visitor, and the length
of the visits and the number of visitors
increased as time went on.
Under these circumstances his friend
ship with Anne Carteret grew daily. She
was used to nursing, and made herself of
considerable use in the sick room. 1t was
when Lawrence was recovering that Anne
was able to sit and read to him, or to sing
the songs he liked, or to bring him fresh
flowers every day. Sickness gives great
privileges; it seemed sometimes to Law
renee that he might be sorry when he
found himself able to do without the help
and the petting that were so very pleas
ant.
Christmas day had come. To Lawrence
it was heralded by the early appearance
of little Stella Dumaresq. in her nurses
arms, Mt his bedside, with n bouquet of
roses and Christmas card in her tiny
hands. The day was lovely; warm and
mild but not oppressive. Half dozen
young men being present 1T Mr.. Dumar-
eso's when DR.. Hughes called, soon after
luncheon, they made an onslaught upon
him, and demanded PERMISSION to convey
Lawrence from his bedroom to the draw
ing room. After some demur tue doctor
consented to the plan; and in n short space
of time the invalid was installed on u
couch before the blazing fire. For Mrs.
Dumaresq had insisted upon having a
fire lighted-not because she felt cold, but
because she said she could not believe 1t
to be Christmas day if she sat down be-
fore tireless crate. The blaze was re-
Elected cheerily in the blue and white tiles
of the open stove; the windows stood wide
omen to admit tue gentle breeze that way
cd the curtains, and rustled the petals
of the roses with which every vase had
been that morning hiied.
There was much laughing and talking
round Lawrence's couch that afternoon.
Srhp usual treQueuterS u thS nouSS "SAc
,,resent-liastlake, Rolleston and several
ntbers. Iawrence's friend, Calcott, came
,ater in the day; and DIR. Hughes evil
1ent,v found his rocking chair so COM
fortable that he did not care to hurry Oft
20 another patient. Then diversion was
.,resently effected, when an inquiry was
made for Michele; she had not been seen
since the early part of the afternoon.
some of the visitors went to look for her
an the garden. wondering Mt her disap-
neorance, for Michele was not usually un-
xoc;able: others went out ON the veranda.
Lawrence was left virtually alone with
Anne.
"It is SO pleasant to be down stairs
again." he said.
"You must not stay too long. You look
.;red already" said Anne materially.
II am not tired of being here"
.Your accident" said Anne, with lit
+le hesitation, "must seem to you like q
change: 1t prevents your feeling yourself
too fortunate.
"on the contrary" he said, turning his
4 "a, fSy hiQ dark AvaH