Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-10-06
CHAPTER XXX.

we put it to the test we shall generally
find that, except to a small and strictly
private circle of admiring friends, it is not
of the slightest consequence what we do,
nor where we go.
Della Moray finds out the truth Of this
to her advantage. She had thousand
scruples about accepting Mrs. Hephzl-
bah's offer of the temporary use OF her
apartments in London, fearing lest she
should be Immediately recognized, and
the news Of her discovery be communi-
Gated to her son.
For the sake of Della, Mrs. Hephzibah
makes short work of settling up accounts
with her London employers, and in an
other week the friends are on their way
to Cloverfield. True to her principles
of self-help, Mrs. Bond-for the lawyer
had induced the lady to marry him-wish-
ed to journey to Hampshire alone, leav-
ing her husband to follow at his own con-
venience. But the little old man" out
witted her. He packed up all his belong
fngs at Hampstead with marvellous ce-
lerity, and was down at ClOvertield max
ing all things ready for her reception be-
fore she knew he had left town.
Cloverfeld, being still a mere village,
has not many resident gentry beside the
clergyman and doctor, and one or two
solitary old maids and widows; but it is
surrounded by gentlemen's seats, the own
ers Of which, after awhile, commence to
call upon Mr.. and Mrs. Bond. At Delia's
earnest request she is not asked to be
present in the drawing room during these
visits of ceremony: She has several rea-
sons for not wishing to make any new
acquaintance, foremost among which is
the dread of recognition; and though Mrs.
Hephzibah will not admit the justice of
the fear, she agrees to indulge it.
Della is therefore rather surprised one
afternoon, when she has retired to her
own room with novel, to hear the parlor
maid at her door with a request from her
mistress that she will go down to the
drawing room to see q gentleman who has
just arrived.
''Who is it, Sarah?' cries Della, her tru-
ant thoughts flying at once to the only
gentleman she would have cared to see.
"Mr. lie Mesurier, ma am. | think he's
a parsOn-at least, he wears a long coat"
every good! | will be down directly"
When she enters the room, flushed from
the haste with which she has arranged
her dress, she finds the servants surmise
is correct.
LET me introduce to you my friend,
Mrs. Manners" says Mrs. Hephzibah;
and then che continues to Della: Il hope
I have not disturbed you, my dear, but |
thought it only right you should make
the acquaintance of our clergyman. Mr..
lie Mesurier tells me that he has just re-
turned from his annual holiday, and that
the gentleman we have hitherto heard
on Sundays has only been taking his duty
during his absence"
Il am very glad" says Della.
"Glad of what, Mrs. Manners asks
the newcomer. with an accent that be-
trays his Irish nationality. THAT l have
returned, or that Mr.. Saunders only took
my duty"
"Of both, perhaps" she replies, smiling;
anyway. l hope it is not great treason
to say that Mr.. Saunders has sent me to
sleep every time tried to listen to him."
LET us be charitable and lay it on the
weather. Mrs. Manners, which has been
too hot to keep awake in under any cir
eumstances. DO try and think it was the
weather! Else, if you fall asleep again
next Sunday, l shall have no loophole by
which to tiatter myself that my discourse
has not had a similar effect upon you to
that of Mr.. Saunders"
He is Il distinguished looking man, tall
and well made. with an intellectual coun-
tenance, and wearing tight cassock that
shows off his fine figure to advantage. His
blue eyes and dark hair are strongly Irish,
so is his winning tongue. In a word, he
fmpresses both his hearers favorably.
Il will defer Judgment. then, until after
aext Sunday" replies Della, laughing;
'and especially since, if l am not mis-
taken. Mr.. lie Mesurier you are a coun-
tryman of mine, and should claim every
indulgence at my hands,"
The moment the words have left her
lips she regrets them, but it is too late.
The warm partisanship of the natives of
Ireland is we'll known. and Mr.. lie Mesu-
rier embraces the idea of the connection
between them.
Il guessed as much from your appear
ance Pray, Mrs. Manners, allow me to
shake hands With you over again in token
of our good-fellowship. 1t is a real de-
light to meet any one from the 'ould coun-
thry' down in these wilds. May | ask if
it is long since you left it|'
Then Della sees still more plainly the
trap she has laid for herself and the COM
plcations to which it may lead But there
is no help for it at present.
very long! l have not seen it since I
was little child"
Have you been long settled in Clover
field. and are you married man?" de-
mands Mrs. Hephzibah, trying to lure him
away from a dangerous topic.
81 have been settled here ever since my
ordination, ten years ago, and l have no
wife to share the vicarage," he answers,
with a sudden gravity of manner.
81 hope you are not one of those par
sons who consider celibacy a duty"
"Yes, do. decidedly. a duty to my
self" he answers, lightly. what would
become of my visits to Switzerland. if l
had wife and family to carry about with
me?'
He sits with them for half the after
Roon on that occasion, talking in me most
fluent manner on every topic that is start
ed, discussing the country and the town.
literature and music, the Tyrol, the Vat
lean, the Alhambra and the Louvre; and
zar n Snlf L. L II J