Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-05-27

NJ Oh, cHllu, ne SAID, as Darby stop
ped and moved round.
She turned and resumed her playing,
only keeping it soft and subdued, SO as
not to drown his voice.
Joan, my DEAR" he said, ''you remem-
Der the new housekeeper is coming to-
day."
Yes | answered; "the woman you en-
gagged IN London
Woman! She thinks herself quite a
lady, he said, laughing ''She is very
dignified and imposing parsonage indeed.
But | thought I would remind you, for
you must see her when she comes. / sup
pose her rooms are ready?"
'Oh, yes,' | answered; 81 saw about
them this morning. I am so sorry to lose
Mrs. Birket. She was such a dear old
thing
but she is really too old for so respon-
sible post" said Sir Ralph. II thought
| it best to pension her off, poor old body!
You see, my dear, you are so young, and
we are away so often, that it is necessary
to have some one trustworthy and ca
pable to look after the place and the SER
wants.
Il took Nettie safe home" he went on
presently. Poor little thing! / wish she
were happier. She is such sweet, good
girl. | have always been fond of Nettie.
| used to think at one time that she and
1orke would make a match. He seemed
very fond Of her.
Eyes" | said quietly.
"By-the-by, l have had letter from
him at last he is tired of roving-he is
coming home.'
Homer cried sharply; ''do you mean
here?''
l had the letter in my hands. I was
looking at the superscription. How we'll
| had known that writing once! How
my heart used to beat at sight of it. Even
now faint tremor shook me as l held it.
This was the letter:
'sSan Francisco, Dec. 1877
"My Dear Uncle
Il am sick of rowing. I have been to
silver mines, and lead mines, and oil pits,
and across deserts, and mountains, and
rivers, and seas, until am yearning for a
| breath of the old pine woods, and look at
the old house. You may expect me back
| almost on the heels of my letter. Compli-
ments to my aunt. l trust she can give
me a corner at the Hall for a little while,
| till | can look about and see what l had
best do. I am afraid the Bar was a fail
ure. couldn't stand the dryness and the
doubtful honesty of legal complications.
But [ suppose there are other things.
However, we will talk that over when we
meet. Kind regards to all.
''Your affectionate nephew,
"YORKE."
'He has got over it, I said to my
self, as folded the letter, and replaced it
in it's envelope. He would not call me
aunt. or wish to come back here, if he
had not. Oh, am glad am very, very
gladv'
A weight seemed lifted off my heart.
looked up at Sir Ralph, cool and unem-
barrassed.
"Of course he must have his old room, .
I said. II had better give orders for it.
He may return at any moment
THANK you, DEAR" Sir Ralph said
heartily. II am glad you don't mind.
j was a little afraid you might not like
if. / don't think Yorke behaved very
Dolitely that time we met him at Salz-
burg-going off in that abrupt manner,
and throwing up his profession and start
| ing off to America. He was always q
| strange boy. l do hope he has quoted
down little
81 have no doubt he has," said calmly.
/ CHAPTER Nv.
few moments later and the door
onened TO admit the ''lady in reduced cir
| cumstances,' as Sir Ralph had described
tha new housekeeper. AS | looked up with
| some curiosity, I saw a dark face some
what rich in the coloring of cheek and
| Ina tall and very beautiful figure, and
surmounting the whole, head of snow
white hair. So white and silky and beau
tiful was it, that the dainty lace cap
seemed almost an affront to its beauty,
and vet it seemed to me the face looked
foo Young for it's framework. The fire
so darkly glowing in the heavy-lidded eyes
was altogether out Of keeping with such
| signs of age. A strengthening woman
INT after all. her looks didn't signify
much. and her manners were irreproach-
oble. I told her of her duties, and she
EXPRESSED herself quite satisfied with he1
rooms and the arrangements.
~ don't think shall like her." was my
reflection as l sat gazing down on q
blank sheet of paper-blank, save for the
dearest Nettie,' that ! had scraWled IN
NV untidy handwriting. L suppose she
is n lady; she has the manners ana ap,
naarance of one. But she gives me the
IMPRESSION of something coVeIt-uAueA
i hand-watchful. Her eyes look too young
for her face, and her voice seems forced
into those low, even tones
4 Then dashed into my letter.
| dearest Nettle:
ST have some news that will surprise
Won. Yorke Ferrers is coming here. lie
may arrive to-day-to-morrow-
week. 1 cannot say decidedly when. Tell
me if you will come over and dine and
sleep here. the day after tomorrow.
..Yours JOAN"
7 sealed it up and addressed it, then left
# on the table till the letters should be
collected for the post-bag. This done, /
turned once more to my fayorite chair by
i the fire. The flames leaped merrily up;
the dark. glowing colors in and about the
room stood out in rich relief.
ut all looks very comfortable" | said
to myself. II wonder Darby has not
i come. It must be nearly time for tea
I leaned forward towards the flowers,
and smothered little yawn. Just then
/ heard the door behind me softly open.
as that you, child?" said lazily.
ssWhere have you been all this timer