Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-11-16

And it is said in the village
tnat Miss Meriel she's doing it to
please her pa, and make room for her
younger sisters. But here's your din
ner, sir"
Sir Spenthorne walked up and down
before the door of the inn smoking. re-
fiecting on Rupert and his love affairs.
1t certainly was astonishing to see the
sort OF men women will marry-aston-
lshlng! On the other side of the road
there presently appeared the tall fig
ure OF clergyman. Sir Spenthorne
went across, and, taking off his hat,
inquired if the rector could advise him
as to the best sort of fly to use on the
river, as he was a stranger in Systed.
The Rev. Thomas Ray, himself de-
voice OF the gentle sport, took in with
swift glance the tall upright figure,
the deep blue eyes and the well cut,
powerful face of his interlocutor.
What a handsome fellow!' he
thought, ''eyen now'-for the age of
the stranger could not be less than
fifty. II should be delighted to tell you
anything in my power" he said aloud
And the two men walked amicably
down the road together between the
sweet June hedges.
= This walk was the beginning of
quickly ripening friendship. Meriel
showed the way to the best pools. Sir
Spenthorne invented the most wonder
full picnics and al fresco teas for the
children. When he wasn't by the riv-
er he was at the rector's house, and
perpetually in the company of Meriel.
Sir Spenthorne had never married, be-
cause years and years ago girl had
Tilted him, and yet his heart was as
full Of reverence for women as boys.
Never had he come across one who full
filled his whole ideal of womanhood
until he met Meriel. He hardly real
lied which way things were drifting
was not Meriel engaged to Rupert,
and was not he, Sir Spenthorne, the
rich, elderly uncle, who had come to
make all things smooth for them?
AS he returned to his inn one evening
after delightful expedition in the
woods with Meriel and half dozen
young brothers and sisters he found a
telegram waiting for him:
Am coming down to-morrow-get
ting anxious. RUPERT"
Sir Spenthorne felt his heart sud-
denly grow cold. Good heaven! What
folly was this? Why should he mind
his nephew coming down? he asked
himself, impatiently-but in his heart
of hearts Sir Spenthorne knew the rea-
son why.
He put the telegram in his pocket
and walked across the road to the rec
him in. "Mr. Spens'' was quite a
friend Of the family.
Meriel was alone, filling china bowl
with June roses. Her face was flushed,
and there were traces of tears on her
cheeks.
What is it?' asked "Mr. Spens,"
taking her hand.
Nothing"
"Nothing-and you are crying?
I'm fool,' cried Meriel passionate
~. cts nothing; there is man who
wants to marry me-father wishes it
and I've said yes and he's coming
down tomorrow; that's all
"But,'' said "Mr. Spens" gently,
"don't you like him?''
Meriel turned a scared face to him.
81 didn't mind him-at first" she
said.
"Well?''
"Well-nothing The girl turned to
the window and looked out into the
shadowy evening.
"Tell me-" said ''Mr. Spens" with a
sudden thrill in his voice-"tell me all
about it,
"There's nothing to tell. He was a
nice little man, and he asked father,
and father said if he died there would
be nothing for us,and it would comfort
him to know one of his daughters was
provided for. And though father
looks we'll and strong, it seems he has
something wrong with his heart, and
he might die at any time-and so
said yes"
II see," said "Mr. Spens" quietly
"But why is it more tragic now than
before?"
But Meriel wouldn't answer him,
and kept her head obstinately turned
away. and "Mr. Spens" rose.
81 see it's no use asking you to con-
fide in me-" he said at last. Then
Meriel turned on him.
ooh. 60, go!' she cried. And Sir
Spenthorne, turning, left the room
without another word.
my God!' he said to himself as ne
walked across the road to the inn, Il
believe she might have liked me, old
fellow as l am
-