Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-01-27
CHAPTER VII.


A beautiful evening in October; it was
as though some of the warmth and sweet
ness of summer had returned for while.
The sky was blue, the colors of the sunset
were gorgeous, the foliage of the trees
was magnificent, autumn flowers were
blooming, autumn tints were over the
land. The day had been unusually warm
and sunny. Lord Caraven had invited
some friends to dinner; as they lived at
some little distance, and they could not
remain for the night, dinner was ordered
earlier than usual. 1t was only twilight
when the guests drove away, and Lord
Caraven, having no one to play billiards
with him, sauntered restlessly through
the rooms, thinking to himself how fool
ish he had been not to provide himself
with companion for that most interest
ing of all games.
II must not let this happen again. he
said. '"To live here alone requires more
strength of mind than l am possessed Of.
1t did not occur to him that he was
not alone-that he had fair young wife
near him. He never thought Of her at
all. He would not have remembered her
existence but that, wandering aimlessly
along the terrace, he saw her in the
drawing room.
Seeing her, he thought it was possible
she understood something of billiards, al
though women never know anything
useful" She saw him, and, fancying from
his manner that he wished to speak to
her, she opened the window and weEt out
to him.
Il wanted to ask you, do you know any
thing of billiards?' he said
-
'Yes-many ladies pay remarkably
well. Lady Courtenay does. 1t is such
a great resource"
do you want me to play with you?"
she asked, quickly.
Eyes, l am bored to death. I am tired
of smoking | never read much, and there
is nothing to do
':Extraordnaryv she nothing
to dot!
what do you mean?' he asked.
Il mean nothing. l am very CORY.
have seen a billiard table; but l have
never played. l will try to learn, if you
like"
The night wind was sweeping round
them, bending the tall chrysanthemums,
stirring the dying leaves-a sweet fresh
wind that was as odorous as PALM The
twilight was fast fading, the birds had
long since ceased to sing, there was
pleasant breeding sense of rest and of
freshness.
This is almost as good as a billiard
table, said Hildred laughingly; but the
earl shook his head.
1T may be for you," he REPLIED "but it
is not for me-
Lord Caraven,' said E;,dred. "a
A. hoe CT,
been married-how long?-since the third
of August, and it is now October; and do
YOU know that you have never once ad-
dressed me by name? My school fellows
used to call me 'Dreda,' my father calls
me 'Hildred.' You have so contrived as
never to give me any name at all. You
do not say Lady Caraven,' sfIildred,'
Wife, or anything of the kind. How is
it?'
Il cannot tell he replied, b,ankly. The
question had evidently puzzled him.
Il do not expect you would ever care
to use any pretty familiar loving name,
but do you not think you might learn to
use my own? Lady Courtenay used to
look at me, when you addressed me in
that general kind of way as YOU Could
you not say 'Hildred'?'
II really do not know" he replied;
sit is an uncomfortable kind of name
'Hildred' F"
She raised her charming head with
naughty little gesture.
do you fancy so? | think you do not
know what uncomfortable means. | am
rather proud of my name; it may be
quaint, but it is not common. If you
cannot say 'Hiidred,' can you not call me
Lady Caraven" l am tired of being
spoken to so vaguely"
Il will not do it again, Lady Caraven,
if it annoys you,'' he said.
Lord Caraven, will you be very angry
with me if l ask you question:"
No; without knowing what the ques-
ton may be, l predict shat-certainly
not"
Briefly, it is this: Why did you marry
me. Lord Carayen?''
why did l marry you?" he echoed in
establishment.
Il ask you the question: she went on,
because | have watched you and studied
you, and am convinced 1T last that you
did not marry me for love"
Love" he cried. "Why, what has that
to do with it,"
Il thought" she continued, that you
had married me because you loved me.
knew that you were cold, undemon-
stratiye, that you had no sympathy. little