Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-08-17
CHAPTER w.


The fair, sweet spring had come round
again. During the greater part OF the
autumn and winter Sir Cyril Vernon and
Austin Chandos had been away from
home; they had been compelled to spend
some few weeks in Wales, where from
a coal mine in Cingfad came a princely
revenue. They found time for writing
frequently to the Manor House, where all
kinds Of packages were delivered almost
daily. Lenore read Austin's letters aloud,
with laughing comments; she read Cyrlls
quietly, without a word, and never men
toned their contents Mrs. Audley won
dered which letters she valued the most.
One fair spring morning Miss Elsa
Grey appeared upon the scene; she had
been paying round of fashionable visits
and had returned to Moulesmere for the
spring; she went over to the Manor
House, and the three girls-Lenore, Gla-
die and herself-went out in search Of
some lovely, fragrant violets. Suddenly
Elsa Grey raised her head.
81 know you do not like gossip Miss
Audley; but talking of our friends Is aot
what l call gossip. Were you not much
surprised that Austin Chandos was left
penniless?"
YES" replied Glade, "we all had an
idea that Sir Joycelyn loved Mr.. Chan
dos best"
81 am glad to hear it," said Miss Grey
81 thought that it served him perfectly
right. / will tell you a secret, if yon care
to hear it. Do not look so lofty, Miss
Audley; it is really a secret worth know
ing. Sir Joycelyn intended leaving all
his fortune to Austin; he had a will
drawn out, declaring SO, making him his
sole heir. Why do you think he made
another?"
Il cannot tell" replied Lenore, deeply
interested.
"But can tell you. No one gRows but
papa and myself. You must never tell,
either He was disinherited because he
refused to marry me. Sir Joycelyn made
his marriage with me the condition on
which he should become his heir, and this
clever poet refused-preferred beggary to
me-"
The effect Of those words on the two
girls was very different. Wadies face
flushed, and her eyes grew bright with a
lurid light; Lenore looked through the
trees to the far-off river. 40 change on
her face save that the lips were more
tightly closed.
Il do not believe it," said Glade, brief
ly.
Miss Grey laughed quite good-temper-
eddy.
"Sir Joycelyn seemed to feel quite sure
that Cyril would comply with his
Wishes" she said. I'm his hurry to
avenge himself on Austin, Sir Joycelyn
had the new will made and signed, and
left the question until Cyril should re-
turn; but he died suddenly. When Cyril
did return, as you know, he was dead"
what a strange storyy' said Glade;
st reads like the page of romance"
While Lenore thought in her heart that
Austin was hero.
How many men would have married
her." she thought, ''for the sake Of that
vast wealth? He is hero, our poet"
A few days after this Austin Chandos
came over to the Manor House; it was the
Grey had told her story; and Lenore was
struck with the expression of happy con-
tent on his face.
He talked for some little time to Mrs.
Audley, then, turning to Lenore, said:
'Will you come out with me as far as
Barton Woods? have come purposely
to see you. I have something very par
ticular to say to- you"
She was pleased to go; she always en-
joyed talking to Austin; the poetry that
ran through every word, every thought
of his had great charm for her. So they
went out into the lovely spring air.
Lenore never forgot that walk. The
woods were teeming with new life, the