Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-08-08
What dark long lashes framed her


Alice was unconscious of his gaze,
and when he moved his horse near to
her, and rectifed some fault in her
reins she woke from her dreams with
a start, and turned pale and cold
Valerie noticed Roy's changed ex-
preston and jealousy burned in her
breast.
"Come, Roy, Lord Radine is waving
to U.S., she exclaimed, and, he moving
to her side they put their horses to
the trot down the lane.
Alice felt a choking sensation IN ner
throat. Without another thought,
she wheeled her horse round and
cantered wildly in the opposite di-
rection.
She had lost all control of her
feelings; sobs burst from her lips.
The poor young wife was utterly,
terribly unhappy.
She knew not what to do OF where
to go, but she felt that something
must end the torture she was endur-
ing, or she must die.
She cantered on, unheeding and
plunged in her thoughts till the
trembling of her horse caused her to
think of him, and as she came to a
sort of thicket, she loosened her rein
and let him stand.
She must have ridden some dis
lance, for even to her, who knew the
country well fer miles around, having
walked it in the bygone days, this
place was strange.
She looked round at first in sur
prise; then, little alarmed, she be-
gan to feel weary from her agitation
and exercise, when the sound of a
CHEEKY whistle was born to her ears,
and the next minute footstep rust
led over the dying leaves, and a tall
well-built young man came towards
her.
He stopped amazed as he saw the
lovely girl on horseback, her golden
cllr1s floating from their rough con-
tact with the wind in picturesque con-
fusion round her face and neck.
st beg you pardon; can help
you?" he said suddenly, lifting his
hat.
Alice hesitated, then meeting his
frank, boyish face, she answered:
eff you will, please. l have lost
my way"
'You are in the Abbey woods; we
are close to the old abbey-the ruins
are just beyond those trees"
s'The abbey!" exclaimed Alice in
ST thought I was quite in
the opposite direction-they have
taken the wrong path
''You have become separated from
your friends?' asked the young man,
glancing again and again at her.
eyes"
"Well, perhaps 1 can assist you. Do
you want to find the abbey?'
81 think l had better go there, as
they will in all probability make their
way to it," replied Alice.
Let me lead your horse. May I in
troduce myself? am Frank Meri-
dith at your service.
"And I-call me Alice" said the
young countess quietly.
''Mis, Alice! what a pretty, quaint
name so old-fashioned! Do you like
this part of the country? am staying
down here with friends. I have been
as you see, though the
sport is not good Nothing seems
to live round the old abbey-even the
birds and insects desert it. It is
dead, indeed"
Alice listened to Meridith's easy
chatter quietly. She agreed with him
in his estimate of the spot. Never
had she seen so weird and strange a
place, and as they came in full sight
of the ruins she could not repress a
shudder which the young man
eyes; is it not dismal? 1t looks like
a great grey ghost. I really don't
think I should care to venture into
its gloomy vaults even in broad day.
light"
''Who owns it? asked Alice sud-
denly.
'My friends did tell me, but I have
forgotten. I will ask them again
when I go home. Now, Miss Alice,
snail / leave you mere alone, OF Will
my presence annoy you if remain?"
''Oh, stay, please,'' cried Alice,
her nerves unstrung still by the ter
rible strain put on them at the time
Of Eustace Rivers murder perhaps
they will not be long,"
''I wonder if I shall see you again"
said Meredith after a pause, while he
stroked the horses neck; IT am stay
ing here another fortnight"
''You may, perhaps" answered
Alice; she was drawn towards the
young man by his frank ways.
He seemed little more than boy to
her, though he numbered over twenty
years.
eft seems a strange thing to say"
went on the young man quickly, "but
if ever you want me to do anything
for you, if I can I will"
Alice blushed, then paled:
'Why do you say this?" she asked
hurriedly.
ssT cannot saw only know would