Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-01-27
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Is@eeSl@' BRAENE
CHAPTER VI.

Onera He never interfered in the least
with any of her affairs. He sent up her
letters unopened, and never even lnqulr-
ed from whom they came. He sent every
morning to ask if she had any particular
wish for the day-if there was any place
she desired to see. At first she said
eyes" and went to the different places
of note He accompanied her, but she
could not avoid thinking that he was
slightly bored by these excursions. The
next time he sent she declined, and he
did not demonstrate; he made no remark,
and she felt almost sure that he was re-
lieved by her refusal. When they went
to the opera, they were never alone-he
always secured some companion. 1t seem
ed to Hildred that he was quite as much
a stranger as Oh the first day he entered
the Holies.
"Shall | ever be part of his life?' she
thought. "Shall grow to be heart of mis-
heart, soul of his soul? Shall l ever
know what he thinks, what he likes, what
he loves"'
One evening he was rather startled by
Mildred. There was fayorite singer at
the OPERA and they went to hear her. She
was very fair, and the gentlemen were
busily engaged in discussing her. With
Lord and Lady Carayen was French
man, the Comte de Quesne, Il great ad-
mirer of fair women. The conversation,
kept up chiefly between the two gentle
men, was about the charming actress.
''She is of the real English type" said
the comte land the English ladies are so
fair--they are adorable.'
II think myself" remarked the earl,
"that a fair-haired English girl is certain
" the Ioveliest object in creation
The comte laughed.
"You prefer the blondes to the bru
nettes, then?'' he said.
Certainly said Lord Caraven. Il
do not see how woman can be beautiful
unless she be fair"
tIe had entirely forgotten his young
girl-wife with the dark eyes and the Span
isa face He would not have wantonly
psined her, but he had forgotten her pres
ence. She heard the words. At the time
she made no remark, although they burn
ed into her heart like fire.
81 want you to tel me one thing she
said later. ''If you admire fair girls with
gc.den hair why did you marry me, with
hair and eyes so dark?'
She asked the question in such perfect
good faith, in such earnest tones, with
such sad, sweet eyes, that he was touch
ed, not deeply, but as he would have been
had some child come to him with trem-
bling lips to tell pitiful tale.
you know why l married YOU he re-
piled, gravely-"why ask me the ques-
stomp
He saw a vivid color spread ever her
face, bright light shine in her eyes. The
simple girl thought and believed be meant
chat she knew he had married her be-
cause he loved her. Her heart gave a
great, glad bound. He loved her. She
would understand better in time; she
would know why he seemed reserved. reti-
cent, cold and Indifferent.
Il will try to remember" she Gaid, gen
tly.
Dull as was his ear, he heard, new my
sic in her voice.
''You will remember what?' he asked.
Il will remember why you have mar
ried me- she replied: and as she went
away he wondered greatly.
81 should not think that She is likely
to forget it," he said to himself. Ger
tainly women are puzzles. Size will tt"
TO remember why | married her-and the
words seemed like melting music on her
lips, light that was like sunshine on
flowers spread over her face! Why, I
married her because her father sold her
sor a title and she was willing to be sold!'
Three weeks had passed away, ard
Cord Caraven began to wonde, how much
longer he was to remain in Paris If he
lad been free to follow his own incl;na-
4ions, they would have led him to the
gaming tables at Baden Baden. But, as
ne said impatiently, he had no idea OF
going there with whole train of people
to look after.
Lady Caravcn was willing to go to
wiling to go anywhere that
the earl suggested. She had grown quiz
eaccnt. A new, strange feeling was stir
ring in her breast; it was love for her hus-
band--love for the handsome, debon;lr
earl.
1t was chilly evening at the end of
October when the Earl and Countess of
Caraven reached Ravensmere. No pre-
parations had been made to receive and
welcome them There was no gathering
of tenantry. The earl's tenants simply
setested the sound of his name. They had
been so heavily burdened, SO taxed and
sormented by the carls confidential agent.
Mr.. Blantyre. that they had no welcome
for his master.
Il had no idea that Ravensmere was
so large" said Lady Carayen.
He looked half incredulnusly at her.
Did you not really feel interested
enough in the place to ask about it'll" he
Snquired.
Il was very much interested in it, she
replied, quietly, but | never thought of
asking any questions
Il should have fancied that you would
Know all about it, he said-''the number
of rooms and their contents. l am sur
prised that you do not
She did not in the least understand the
drift of his words. That he should ever
fancy that she was mercenary. that she
wanted the full value for all the money
she had brought him, never occurred to
her.
They dined together almost in silence