Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-06-30
A STRANGE COURTSHIP.


The day was closing ia and the girl
at the window could no longer see to
read She looked. instead, into the
neighboring garden. bounded by low
hedges and wind bowed firtrees sharp
ly outlined against glowing crimson
sky. And on the same background the
small head made a charming silhou-
cite: the rounded cheeks and dainty
pointed chin, the low straight brow
and littls self-willed nose, and above
all the soft halo OF fluffy hair. The
thin, raspRg voice of Il mother reused
the girl from the thoughts which had
saddened her large dark eyes. A list
of domestic cares was enumerated, and
then tho garl's mother approached the
window and cndeavored to claim the
fugitive attention of her daughter by
subjects nearer home
"Maisie," she began, hesitatingly, Il
want to speak to you again about
the girl knew tho particular tone Of
voice, and broke in quickly with: "Oh!
mother. please not that!O My dear
girl, it's positively ridiculous the way
you always interrupt and refuse to lis
ten to reason" and, with a whine, 1T
makes my position exceedingly awk-
ward and unpleasant. What am l to
do with you? DO you realize your age.
Maisie? Nearly -. Why. your sisters
were all married before they were you,
age, and Connie had two children.
"At present" the mother went on,
relentleslN az am besieged on all sides
by men who wish to marry you, for you
are pretty girl, Malsie-prettier than
any Of your sisters, and more like your
dear grandmother, who was quite
belle in her time-but in n few years
nobody will look at you. your chances
OF happiness and of making a good
match will he over forever. Percival
Sutton"-(Ah! I knew that was COM
ing" sighed the girl)-'said he would
come to tea this evening, and he is
very anxious TO speak to you. Tonight
you really must give him his answer,
and ] can only say that il you send
him away with refusal will take no
more trouble about you. He is the
best match in the county; young, rich,
intelligent, heir to baronetcy-and
remember. none of your sisters are IL
tled-indeed, you cannot do better"
After a pause she went on, Il want
to know what stands in your way Of
doing as the others had sense enough
to do--of setting my mind at rest about
you, ana OF taking up position in life
rs the wife OF good man"
''You mean OF rich mani the girl
said languidly, folding her hands, and
again turning her eyes to the garden.
A tall man, with bowed head and
hands elapsed behind him. was walking
restlessly over the little lawn, few
inches Of freshly fallen snow deaden.
ing the sound of his quick footsteps,
and the girl watched with unconscious
fascination the dark shadowy prints
left in the fiat wilderness. The tall
stranger, with the grave face and ath
letic. though now STOPPING form, had
never shown the slightest desire to
make friends; indeed, had seemed de-
termined to avoid any chance or risk
of doing So Years ago, when the girl S
mother had called upon the lonely new
conner, she had found him at home.
and he only acknowledged the visit by
a polite note of thanks explaining that
he never made or received calls, and
lived life of study and unbroken soli-
tude Tonight, as her mother talked.
and the girls attention wandered to
the growing number OF blue-gray foot
prints in the snow. an unusual circum-
stance arrested her thoughts and drew
her still farther from the sordid and
wearisome conversation. A servant
came out of the house and handed to
the man an orange-colored envelope,
which he did not open till he was again
alone. Then he disappeared.
che girl returned to consciousness
with slight start. and became dimly
aware of question in her mothers
face and voice She risked, at ran
dom, the first answer that occurred to
her: "Oh. yes, if you like, mother!"
The reply was evidently appropriate.
A smile diffused the hard, weary fea-
lures of the elder woman; the very
silk of her gown seemed to squeak sud-
den approval.
my de?e good child, this is sweet or
you! That poor young man will be so
happy" Whereupon the dear good
child was enveloped in black silk
embrace and covered with impulsive
kisses.
And you will tell him so yourself.
dearie: or shall, see him alone first?