Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-09-15
CHAPTER XIV

his mother and tell her everything, but
he finally decides not to go home until
his usual hour. and passes miserable
morning in the attempt to distract his
thoughts from Gabrielle and DR.. de Blois
and fix them upon engineering calcula-
tons and accounts instead. He had made
so certain of success in his suit.
BY the time he usually breaks off office
work to take his luncheon, Angus has
nearly worried himself into a fever. He
has no appetite-only burning thirst up
on him, and he rushes into the first bar he
comes across to satisfy it. 1t happens to
BE the bar of the Hotel Belgique. The
girl who serves him asks him if it is any
relation of his that they have the honor
of housing at the Hotel Belgique at that
moment
Il do not understand you, mademoi-
selle," stammers poor Angus, whose
thoughts have been recalled by her ques-
ton from something far different.
I'VE have Monsieur Moray, who spells
his name like yours, upon our books at
the present" she answers. Jacques!
fetch me the visitors book from the sa
lon,'' and opening it at the last page of
entries, she shows Angus, in all its glory,
the inscription:
Mr.. and Mrs. William Moray,
THE Firs, Godalming Park.
"Westborough Road, Brixton,
London, England"
1T is strange" says Angus, thought
fully that my first name should be Will
liam like his. What is this gentleman
like in appearance?
He does not resemble you, monsieur.
He is stout and big and with face fiery
red. and loud voice, and"
"Stay, mademoiselle! cries Angus
quickly. WAS the lady taken i'll while
driving Yesterday"
''She was, monsieur, but how did you
come to hear of it? All. DIR. de Blois
must have told you, for he brought ma
dame home again, and stayed with her
some time afterward. She had swooned
with the heat-I do not wonder at it. She
is as fat as monsieur, and she eats-ma
fol! how she eats"'
This is a wonderful condolences" says
Angus. Il met these people out driving
yesterday. and when the lady had just
tainted, and it was | who directed them to
DIR. de Blois' house. The gentleman in
consequence asked me to call on him
here this afternoon, but l had no idea his
name was the same as mine. 1t is only
chance. however. l know he cannot be
any relation to me-"
"Ah, well. you be advised by me, mon
sieur. and take the chance. Chance is
worth all the relations in the world Ev-
erything we get is by chance, and it is
seldom our relations give us anything.
And this English MILFORD is rolling in
money. l know. for l have never seen
madame wear anything but silk and satin.
and it must take as much stuff to dress
her as to cIothe three ordinary sized wom-
en-
1T is past two. Have Monsieur and
Madame Moray lunched yet?" he in
quires.
Yes: their lunch was served nearly an
hour ago
Then will you send up my card and
ask if l can see them?'
The young woman complies with his re-
quest and in few minutes an answer is
returned in the affirmative.
AS Angus is ushered into the private
sitting room occupied by the Morays he
perceives that the lady. by virtue of her
late illness. is reclining her portly figure
upon Il grimcrack sofa, far too small for
it.
Mr.. William Moray is standing by the
window, picking his teeth.
Angus stands on the threshold bare
headed. and William Moray cannot but
observe, with greater force than yester-
day. the striking likeness he bears to his
dead father.
"There is no question about his being
poor Jem's son. whether his mother was
married or not" he thinks to himself, as
he turns round slowly and regards him.
We'll. and so you've kept your appoint
mcnt." he commences, in the unpleasantly
unpublished tones he uses to everybody.
Monsieur desired me to call upon him.
l should not have dreamt of intruding
otherwise" returns Angus, with a touch
of his mothers pride.
'Ah. well-it's the same thing. You're
here-this is my wife, Mrs. Moray" con-
tinues the stranger. with jerk of his
head toward his recumbent partner.
Il trust madame has recovered from
her late indisposition.' says Angus.
The lady does not deign to notice the
observation of the ''hactress' himp" ex-
cept by a solemn nod. performed with
closed eyes, but her husband answers for
her.