Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-05-25

us our sons ana all our worldly goods, 90
Tar as they can be carried ON the ship. My
earnest wish is that we may have the
sweet company of our nieces Delight and
Deslre, and, if it may possibly be, Of little
Sylvia, too"
swift pang shot through the mothers
neart. She thrust out her hands in quick,
involuntary protest against this despoiling
OF her home nest.
May, now," added Mistress Salome,
watching the color come and go in Mis-
tress Esther's cheeks and laying a small,
Jeweled hand on her arm; may, now, be
not so hasty in refusal. Perchance you
have not forgotten the day when | first
saw the third little damsel who lay in
your arms newborn babe.
Why cannot one be sent to my daugh-
terless home? l murmured, envious of
your rosy maids, and you made answer:
- will share them with you, Salome.
They shall have two mothers instead of
one And right generously have you kept
that promise. For days and weeks and
months together, their winsome, girlish
presence has blessed our household. am
grateful for this from my heart, and now
| only beg the boon Of a continuance Of
your kindness. Let me take them back
to the home of our own girlhood, Esther,
for time. The sights and roughness
of warlike seasons in a new country are
no suitable setting for young maidens of
gentle birth"
She paused for some reply, but Mistress
Esther made none She silently gave
thoughtful consideration to her sisters
speech.
''You will forgive plain speaking" con-
tinued Mistress Salome, "but it must
needs be and is, in all friendliness, you
know full well. AS a good wife doubt
not that you hold with your husband in
maintaining the cause of the malcon-
tents. You were willing to share with
him the privations and perils of pioneer
life for lave of his manly self, even as
was glad to do the same for love of Fran
els. But would you not be better suited
to see your daughters surrounded by the
ease and elegance of your own younger
days, and to see them mated more fifty
than can be possible among the youth
hereabouts? Such is my ambition for
them. They are no ordinary girls, Esther,
these bonnie young creatures. They are
worthy the best blood of dear old Eng
land. Even now"
She hesitated, knowing not whether this
were the most fitting time in which to
speak of Gilbert Merridale.
even now" said Mistress Esther, fin
ishing the sentence in an unexpected
way, "even now Desire is deeply loved by
Roger Stedman, lad, nay, a full-grown
man, albeit [ can never think of him so,
who has known her all her lifelong. He
would shed his hearts blood for her. I
know not how"
"Nay, now, sister, they be not lovers at
all. IT'S only friendship begotten Of daily
nearness. l have the lad clearly in mind.
He is comedy and civil spoken, in truth,
and has kind heart as well, it's evident.
Perhaps it never came to your knowledge
that he sent Desire word of her fathers
and brothers safety by feet messenger
on the morning of April nineteenth and
often since. He would make faithful,
loving husband, no doubt but she does not
think of him, and she is deserving of one
better suited to girl of her rare beauty
and gentle spirit. Did you notice how
her loneliness has developed since coming
to us last winter? 1t minds me Of the
fair unfolding of perfect bud Desire
is precious jewel, Esther. She should
have the utmost that wealth and station
can give her by way of setting. All this
will be hers, and you can spare her to us
for season.
"Your words find ready echo in nv
heart, Salome-too ready, perchance, for
the wifely loyalty 1 should show. 1t has
long been a secret grief to me that our
dear girls must lack so much of all the
1r6i in WI do
youth so gracious, and whose memory
still sweetens many of the dark hours of
these far different years. This visit which
you suggest would give them, too, happy
memories for all their after lives, and
save them, doubtless, many trying expert
ences during the next few months The
tedious time Of their absence from us
would be gladdened by this thought. But
such decision cannot be reached by me
alone. Their father must hear of your
wish, and the opinion Of the girls them
selves be consulted. These gained, I will
not refuse my consent"
II thank you with all my heart, dear Sis
ter, for so readily joining your wish to
mine. 1t is no less than I expected of
your motherly love and clear judgment.
We women see more plainly, oftentimes,
than our less keen-visioned lords. Fran
els is but now coming slowly around to the
point of view from which perceived the
true tendency of events in the colonies
months ago. Is it your belief that Tim
othy will also be slow to take sides with
us?
cit will be best to hear his own express
sion ON the matter" replied Mistress Es-
Their, evasively. II will ask him to come
in"
(To be continued.)
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