Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-02-16
CHATTER TX.

Rudd has forgotten one thing in the
ad luminosity that has led him on to
prosecute Yolande Mervyn, and that is the
&, q that many of the jurors are her faith
Gag tenants, born and bred on the Meryyn
Q .eperty, loving and honoring the Mer-
vm house with logged and faithful at
s:iehment
The result is that the jury brings in a
verdict of Accidental Death"
The night closes in, and silence broods
a,rer anxious. aching hearts at Mervyn
d.aurt.
The master is doomed-not to death, as
Was nj first feared, but to that life in
death which is so ineXpressibly awful in
It's p;tifui imbecility and childish helpless
acSS.
The shock to the old mans brain has
aeen too severe for recovery. He is dead
aoy to all the sorrows, sufferings, and
aoxietics which may follow-dead to the
sorrow and remorse, the piteous prayers
aud beseechings of his bestowed child.
sIe is calm, placid, helpless; and so he is
doomed to remain-in mercy, so many
ehiuk, though Yoande is not Of the num-
Ser. She has shed no tears-has given
Vay 10 no outward sign of anguish; but
ou;, has seen there before through all the
sri-hs uutroubled years of her girlhood-
gears which look so terribly far away
sow as she turns to them in wondering
retrospect.
II is late when Lance Stapleton leaves
3he Court. As he hurries swiftly through
abe aveaue, his eyes glance to the right
svd left. his brow is knit in gloomy, anx-
ingzs thought. The bright moonlight floods
al the sloping lawn and the flower border
eI terraces. leaving only one side of the
gray old mansion in shadow. 1t is toward
anat shadow that Lance Stapleton's eyes
ave directed. Something moves to and
84a, keeping stealthy watch on the house
something dim and indistinct. vet which
lht keen young eyes, sharpened BY love
sa.f distrust, make out to be the figure of
B man.
Sit is rs feared" he mutters ''That
wretch is not satisfied yet He means
-rsSsre mischief. No time is to be lost now.
4 must do as | resolved at first-see Her
isck and ask his advice"
He surus away abruptly. restraining
sfec prudence's sake, wild longing to re-
fzra and kick the cunning, malicious spy
cart of his place of conccalment.
HE cannot do any harm tonight at all
events" the young man thinks; and to-
s,eyrow-well. at least l shall know her
s&$se is ia safe hands if the worst comes"
Within half an hour he reaches his own
Aes,se. and amazes the groom by a visit
M the stable yard and a request for the
9aa1ediste saddling of his favorite horse
3sexiihoof. Then. without a word of ex-
ffaaation, he mounts and rides away, in
ereasing his pace to furious gallop the
gxazRent he is out on the high road
The moonlight lies calm and silvery on
nee and leaf, on wood and field. Gradu-
silly the country grows wilder and more
<emher. Great hills and bleak, bare plains
s4zc place to deep, rocky glens. all thick
d dotted with ash, and fir. and elm: and
afeere. shut in by the thick screen of
xassslss, stands solitary house.
II Is all dark now, save for one win
Sow. out of which CLEANS single light.
asaee sees it, and utters an exclamation
ef pleasure. Hastily dismounting. he
shrows the reins over an adjacent railing
saa rings the bell. A sleepy looking man
$saas answers the summons, and looks
shh mingled establishment ard disgust
II the late visitor.