Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-07-15

oiooAnS 1oonl, WHICH was Indicated to
him as Miss Crofton's, was aiar. and
dismissing his small guide, Raymond
advanced alone, preferring to an
nounce himself.
| AS he stood at the half open door
before knocking he had a moments
opportunity, unobserved, to see the
occupants Of the room. Felicia was
sitting at the piano, playing and sing
ing softly in the twilight, while Philip
lay listening with closed eyes, and the
Pickering freight showed the pale
face of his old friend, beyond a
doubt
Raymond made three steps across
the room to the sofa and caught
Philips thin hand.
SsPhil-Phil Crofton, have you for
cotton me?"
s'Raymond-is it possible? Where
how did you find us out?' said
Philip disconnectedly.
! Felicia looked on in wide-eyed sur
| prise for few moments, until Philip
remembered her.
Felicia, this is my old friend Ray
mond. You have often heard ME
speak Of him.
ooh, yes. am so glad to see you,
Mr.. Raymond" Felici la gave him
her hand with pretty, cordial greet
ing. After moment she added,
pleasantly: ''You are just in time to
share our tea, so I will go and see
about it and leave you and Philip to
have a talk"
She left the room and John Ray
mond drew chair to his friends
side, and heard his story.
Raymond was touched by the brief
tale. It was easy to read between the
lines of poverty and struggle. But he
had no time to say anything, for
Felicia was coming.
Appearances are deceitful She did
not look in the least like literary
woman, thought Mr.. Raymond, at the
end Of very pleasant evening.
He paid them several more visits in
the next few weeks, but told them
little about himself, except the inter-
esting fact that he was married and
had the most charming wife and most
wonderful baby in the world.
A day or two before Thanksgiving,
Felicia received letter from her
friendly editor-a very kind letter,
enclosing a check for her story. Now
there was cause for thanksgiving, in
deed Philip could have the new
dressing gown she had so long wanted
for him.
At this point Raymond tapped at
the door and she sprang up to well
come him.
"You look as if you had good
hands.
Felicia looked at Philip. He re-
turned the look and laughed.
'sShe is too modest to tell you,
John, but I will, for I am proud of
my little sister
He explained, and Raymond ex-
pressed his pleasure, but without a
hint of his previous knowledge of the
subject Presently he changed the
| conversation.
envy wife would have called on
you, Miss Crofton, but you under
stand, [ am sure, that it has been i'm
possible. It is not mere excuse"
"Oh, yes, quite understand, " said
Felicia readily.
..Then I have message for you
from her. She expects to have few
friends to dinner on Thanksgiving,
and she enioined me to beg you both
to come to us. It is not an empty
form, assure you. She really wishes
it. and so do I. Phil, you will come,
will YOU not? I should like to see you
in my house. ;"
Philip and Felicia looked at each
other. "What shall I wear?" was the
question written in her eyes. He un-
derstood it and laughed.
s@Ill go if you Will, Felicia, ne
said. -,
II was settled at last. The white
dress. skilfully altered and freshen-
ed by Felicia's deft fingers, was pro-
nounced good enough for quiet din
ner party. They went early as BAY
mond had begged them to do, to save
Philip the embarrassment of entering
IN the crutches before strangers
Little Mrs. Raymond was expecting
them, and came promptly forward
with such bright cordial greeting
that Felicia's slight shyness and re-
Iuctance vanished at once
Presently Raymond came In ana
took possession of his friend, ana
soon the other guests began to gather.
Felicia found herself introduced 10
one and another, and her old love OF
society revived. She talked we'll IN
her soft voice, and Philip look at her
now and then approyingly
Bnt the party was not complete,
II ann SO provoked, said Mrs hay
mond, when she found herself beside
Felicia again. .sIexpected my brother
,,.o,,isad me- to come early