Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-01-20
CHAPTER ".


CHAPTER ".
Hildred Ransome was engaged to be
married; she was to be Lady Caraven,
and on this day her lover was to visit
her.
Mr.. Ransome, hoping to make matters
smooth and pleasant, had invited his
future son-in-law to dine with him, and
that he might not feel dull had asked the
humorous and brilliant talker, Mr.. Car
wey, to join them.
1t was we'll that he had done so, for the
actual presence of her lover seemed to
strike Hildred dumb. She looked at him
whenever she found that he was looking
elsewhere. She thought him very hand
some. His indolent, careless grace con-
trasted so favorably with her fathers
sharp brisk manner. She wondered why
the earl looked worn and haggard. When
dinner was over, the earl evidently pre-
ferred the society of Mr.. Carwey to hers.
why had he asked to marry her if he
did not care to talk to her?' she said to
herself How strange it was! Then
her father invited Mr.. CARNEY to have a
game of chess, and the earl walked slow
ly across the room to where she was sit
ting He stood by her side, tall, stately,
despite his indolent grace of manner. Her
heart beat What was he going to say?
! He bent his head somewhat stiffly.
Il have to thank you, Miss Ransome,"
he said, 'for IGNORING me by wearing my
ring"
| She looked up at him, and there was
something in the calm gaze of the pure
eyes before which he shrank.
You wished me to wear it, did you
not?" she asked MY father thought
So"
"Certainly. am delighted"
Try as he would, he could not conceal
a tone of irony She detected it and look
ed at him again. He bowed and contin-
ued
Il am fortunate indeed. / have to ask
you, Miss Ransome, now that you have
consented toto become Lady Caraven,
to tell mc-that is to say-what day will
suit you?"
DAY for what?" she asked, innocently.
ga day to be married on he replied.
A look of rebuke stole over the girlish
face.
You spoke of it so lightly" she said,
| ''that l fancied you meant a day for go
! ing out somewhere. You spoke as if you
were asking me to arrange Il day for
| ting on the river
'What shall | say, then? he asked,
smiling despite his annoyance.
cit is not for me to tell you,'' she re-
piled, in all simplicity.
| He laughed aloud.
"Shall l say Ioveiiest, fairest'?''
With an air of grave dispieasure she
| rose from her seat.
Lord Caraven, I will hear no more"
| she said; ''your manner does not please
| me-"
He longed to retort, "Nor do you please
me-" but he was merely Il fly in the spid-
| er's web-he could not escape. He fol-
lowed her After all, he was a gentle
| man, and she was to bear his name.
Il am unfortunate, Miss Ransome," he
said, '.in having displeased you-pardon
me. l had every intention Of asking you
the question with all decorunl-pray per-
nit ne to repeat it
DO l understand YOU rightly?' said
| the grave, sweet, girlish voice. Are you
asking ne to decide as to my wedding
! day."
Il am indeed so brave he replied.
''Then l must decline to do sony faith
| err will know best what time will suit
him."
Il understood from Mr.. Ransome that
six weeks from now would be conven-
| lent said the earl.
| Her face did not changc-no flush or
| pallor told that the words had affected
her.
six weeks" she said, musingly; 81
| shall be eighteen in four weeks from to-
day"
Il wish,' he said, that l could be
| eighteen over again.
would you be the better for it?'' she
asked, curiously
Il should at least be WISER he an
swered, and she made no comment.
''She has little more spirit than
| thought she had" he said to himself
Then, when he had the opportunity, he
tod Ar.ey Ransome that he had been
unfortunate in his interview with his
daughter. Mr.. Ransome quickly made
everything smooth-the wedding day was
to be on the third of August
Something may happen before Them
thought the earl; If not, have always
one resource. always one haven. Much
may happen before the third of August"
While HiIdred Ransome said to her
self that, if she liked her future husband
10 better in six weeks time than she did
now, it would be but a sorry wedding day.
CHAPTER V.
Hildred Ransome did not seem to I'M
derstand either the day or the event until
she stood before the altar in st. Georges
Church. Then, with a cold shock and Il
cold dull pain, the full realization of it
all came to her. 1t was her wedding day,
and she was about to marry the hand
some, Indifferent earl, who stood by her
side. All that had passed before seemed
like dream. The sunshine had awaken
cd her There came a confused vision of