Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-01-20
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wa N11ARLOTTr III
49, @s@' BRAENE
Chapter III

tcnange as the twilight Ceepeucu "a tt'ii
beech tree with superb spreading branch
res grew near: the grass was studded
with white and golden flowers. There
,Arley Ransome found her. the daughter
on whom he had built all his hopes Of
fame and fortune, her dark eyes fixed ON
ithe tranquil stream, her white hands "
ing listlessly On her knees.
{ "Hildredr' said Arley Ransome, Il
have something very particular to say to
you. I will sit down by your side. How
Igloriously beautiful the river looks to-
night
! Something to say to me?' she repeat
ed, dreamily You could not have chosen
IA better time for saying it. papa. l never
care to talk on nights like these; l can
only listen"
'"rhe brightest hope Of my life has been
accomplished to-day, Hildred," he began;
shat which l have longed for has been
given to me. l have been pleased, proud
and happy
He saw that her interest was awakened,
and that her eyes frightened. She looked
earnestly at him.
PLEASED, proud and happy? That
seems a great deal, papa
{ at means a great deal, Hildred. To
day the Earl of Caravcn has asked per-
mission to make you his wife,
II be had expected any demonstration
of delight he was disappointed. She made
none She did not blush. or look pleased
or displeased. The calmness of her face
was unbrolsen.
''The Earl of Caravcn. That is the
gentleman [ saw to-day, papa"'
eyes. that was Lord Caraven, and he
wishes to make you his Wife
But how can he, papa? He has seen
me only once Why should he wish to
marry me?'
'"Ihat | cannot say, Hildred," he an
swcrcd; Il am better versed in law than
in love: / can only repeat what l have
told you. The earl wishes you to be his
wife"
The dark, eloquent eyes Travelled slow
'1y from his face to the river, and then
back to the shrewd, eager countenance.
"And this is the dream of your life,
pana--that / marry him? l should be
countess, l suppose, papa. One of the
girls from st. Roche, cur school, became
a countess-everyone envied her; but her
marriage was not Il very happy one
'All marriages would be happy if wom
en- expected only little less than they
do. and were rational" he said, hastily.
She knitted her fair white brow, while
she thought deeply, silently.
The Earl of Caraven wants to marry
me, papa-did he say that he loved me-!
"Gentlemen seldom speak to lawyers
about love-" he replied, impatiently. This
is not mere sentimental. nonsenslcai
love affair: it is Of far greater impo1-
taicc. Give it your serious attention,
HiIdred put aside all the nonsense
Again the dark eyes wandered from the
ripp.ing river to the blue sky, to the green
trees, the soft. adewy grass, the sleeping
towers-wandeIcd uneasliy, as though
reading something there that did not har-
monte with her fathers words; then she
smoke to hi,n-years afterWard she re-
mcmbcred her words.
"ihat is your dream, papa-to see me
Countess of Caraven. Tell mel have
hcen at school all my life, and | know so
little of real life-it seems to me that L
have done nothing but study have read
scw moves. | know nothing of what peo-
nc call love. but you, my father, would
not deceive me-teI me, is love need
FIJI part of maria GO? Is it right to mar
w without it? Are people happy with
out it?'
Most decidedly" he replied. "Hildred,'
ne said. after pause, Il hope you are
NOT going to turn out romantic
~ hope not" she replied, quietly. You
have told me the truth, papa, and, though
# has as,onished me. l thank you for it
-crr should not have false notions. L
have asked because it strikes ne that it
world be a terrible thing to marry with
ont love, and then for love not to come
afterward.'
~Such n thing could not be. Every
woman with a wel-rcgulated mind loves
her husband every husband in the same
way loves his wife"
.'Then. if l marry the Earl of Caraven
row" she said quietly, Il shall learn to
love him afterwards
Certainly" he replied with wish
that she were not so earnestly sincere
Il have not thought of marrying" she
continued. in the same earnest, simple
tone. You see. papa, there was nothing
to make me think of it. There were no
yentlemea at St Roche, and have been
so busy with my books. l liked study. l
like it now. l like the idea. too, of being
lady Caraven' And YOU are sure, papa.
that | shall love my-lovc Lord Caraven
after marriage if not hefore?"
Il am quite sure" he replied, with I'M
necessary fervor.
She turned slowly to him.
Il will marry the earl, she said, sim
ply.
He looked delighted.
Il shall see him aud tell him to-mor-
row" he said. Now. remember. Hildred,
this is q very solemn matter. You can
not go back after you have once pledged
,Sour word.''
II shall not want to go back she said
s'Tt is a fair destiny-why should | wish
40 change it? Countess of Caraven!
sWhen shall | see h:nl-the eaIl-again,