Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-12-23


pearance of form that never knocked
for admittance at the front door in Ons-
low Gardens
CHAPTER XIII.
If Sir Wilfrid Ewell imagined for
moment that Jane Warner, in giving her
reluctant consent to his visiting Wolsey
Cottage, intended that they should meet
on anything approaching their former
terms Of intimacy, he was very much mis-
taken. She kept her word with him. She
no longer forced herself to leave the
house directly Rosie minated that her
brother was coming to see them. But, on
the other hand, she never put aside any
duty or engagement in order to enjoy his
company. And he never saw her by her
self. An ordinary shake of the hand and
a quiet smile, given in the midst Of the
family circle, were all the recognition he
could obtain from the girl he had once
called his wife.
One Sunday he strolled in, when the
whole, family was assembled on the lawn
at the back of the house. His sister and
Miss Prosser had their bonnets on, in
readiness to start for afternoon church.
and Rosie laughingly asked her brother to
accompany them. But he grumbled out
refusal, and threw himself in a de-
spondent attitude on the grass instead.
Little Nellie, who had grown familiar
with the sight of him, toddled up to his
side, and conn. enced to decorate him
with daisies. Jane sat on a bench near
at hand, and Mrs. Warner, seeing the
party occupied, trotted off in the direction
of the cottage.
Dear little Nellie. do go and toddle out
of sight" exclaimed Sir Wilfrid, signif-
cantly.
Does she annoy your inquired Jane;
''if so, 1 will take her away"
NO, no! l like to play with her. l
think she is the prettiest little lass I've
ever seen. 1t has been real trouble to
me, having no children"
Have you none?'
"Have you so little interest left in me
as not to know
Jane lowered her eyes.
"Rosie has never mentioned it, she
said
mo, l have not got child he re-
sumed presently, with sigh. 1T has
been a great disappointment. | would
give half my fortune for one. 1t would
have made things different, think.
child is such a sacred link between hus-
band and WIFE
''Yes," replied Jane Warner, biting her
lips.
They had been talking together SO earn
estly that they had failed to notice what
went ON around them. In her anxiety to
change the subject Jane now looked up.
Mrs Warner was quietly slumbering on
the bench beside her with her head upon
her breast, Little Nellie was nowhere to
be seen.
Jane ran down the path, stared about
her. wildly for a moment, and then with
scream of terror rushed out into the road.
She had deserted little Nellie, in her
white frock and futtering blue ribbons,
toddline across the thoroughfare, in the
very midst Of all the London traffic
She had already started to follow her,
when Sir Wilfrid grasped her arm and
nushed her back upon the pavement.
..Stav therer' he exclaimed authorlta-
+ively ssand | will bring the child to YOU.
n He dashed into the middle Of the road.
Cabs and omnibuses were plying their
trade as vigorously as on week days, and
tho infant was in imminent danger of be-
inp RIM ever. Just as Sir Wilfrid reached
ber side. she was innocently crossing IN
front of a hanson He stretched out his
arm and seized her by the frock; the
dr;ver nulled his horse back upon It's
launches. but not before it had Knocked
Sir Wilfrid down, and struck him with
ono of IFS fore feet upon the thigh.
Rut Nellie was safe. He rose with some
aificultv and telling the driver to follow
him. crossed the road again, and placed
tho child unhurt in Jane Warmers arms.
She disappeared into the house with IT,
and Sir Wilfrid turned to reward the han
som driver for his promptltude:
..CloSa shave. sir. wasn't it,! said cab
bv as he received handsome gratuity'
..tbouobt If was all over with the BABY
myself Thank you, sir, kindly, and |
hone vou're not much hurt, though I'm
afraid my horse gave you an ugly MUM
upon the shoulder.
.It's nv thigh said Sir Wilfrid, screw
mo nm his face with pain; 'but dare say
If won't be more than a brulse. Uoou-
1.r n.hhv and he turned to re-enter the
house.
He looked a comical object as he did So
His hair and clothes were coSereu VIZ
dust. the lapel and skirt CT ms coat n''u
been torn, and his face was contol.eu
with pain in his thigh. lie nad pet,h .oln
pletely rolled over by the blow ne had re,
ceiyed. and could not help thinking ne hau
earned a little gratitude for the rlsk ne
had run. But as he entered the passage
of Wolsey Cottage. his thoughts IS were Gu
tirely diverted from his own suffering.
The parlor door was open, and ne cou =
beor lane sobbing violently inside OF =.
Jane. who was usually so calm-so co,h
pletely mistress of herself.wn na;,a co mas
have happened, now that the child was :
safe. to betray her into 50 conllno1 e.
say, ~ He fastened Tor