Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-04-13

full expression stole OYER her sweet face,
"Yes-she had the right; but it would
be very hard for me to go against my
fathers will, Aunt Salome."
'Wait till you meet your own true love,
lassie," laughed Mistress Salome, rising
and walking to Desires side. She laid
light finger upon her smooth, pink cheek
with caressing touch. wait till his
love-lighted eyes have brought the warm
bushes here, until your free heart has
learned 70 thrill at the sound of his voice.
You will know then that lovers wish
outweighs a fathers will by the height of
heaven above the earth"
Again the wistful gray eyes were raised,
this time to the handsome face of the
aunt. No answering smile illumined them;
no quick blush betrayed a maidenly con-
sciousness Instead, the elder woman saw
a serious bordering of her words.
''It may be So" Desire said, simply,
after some time; ''but I cannot imagine
it."
Mistress Salome did not pursue the sub
ject further, but stood quietly beside De-
sire, looking out of the window. A young
man in citizens dress, accompanied by
British officer, soon came in sight. They
walked rapidly.
See, Aunt Salome." cried the girl,
''here is my Cousin Bradford, and, 1 think
yes, | am sure-it is Captain Lancaster,
with him. They appear disturbed. Some
thing must have happened Even while
she spoke the young men ran up the front
steps and were admitted by Cato, the
''blackamoor, as David Townsend had
called him. They were met at the door
Of the drawing room by Mistress Leland.
ooh, mother! There is terrible neWsw
began Bradford, in great excitement.
'You will hardly believe it, but the pro-
vincials actually dared to fire upon the
soldiery this morning in Lexington and
Concord, and-oh, | am so sorry, Desire
did not see that you were here"
Desire, pale, but composed, stepped for
ward.
"Never mind me, Cousin Bradford. l
wish to know just what has happened.
Please do not keep anything back"
There is little more to tell. Many Of
our men-the regulars, mean-haye been
killed and wounded-only few Of the
proyincals. We got the news from some
men who ran back here terrified out of
their senses. The soldiers are on their
way, and will soon be in. Lord Percy
" "a sent out to the help of Pitcairn's COM
pany this afternoon
Mistress Salome drew Desire to her side
and kissed her affectionately.
"These are hard tidings, lassie. I'm
glad you are safe with me. If your father
is wise he will send your sisters here until
this furry is over WITH
"'Tis a most foolish piece of business"
exclaimed Bradford Leland, i'll tone Of
yexation. What can those farmers hope
to do against His Majesty's trained
troops? They have neither guns nor
money. Were my own kinfolk not among
them I could wish right heartily they
might all be killed off by a few volleys of
musketry."
Hold your tongue, my thoughtless
friendw was Captain Lancasters rather
brusque injunction, as he saw Desires
cheeks again paling. ''Such talk is not
fit for Mistress Desires pretty ears Let
me sit here by you, fair lady, and read
to you some extracts from letter l re-
ceived by yesterdays ship from my sis
ter, the Lady Downs. She tells merry
| tales Of doing in London this season."
| Desire glanced around in the hope Of
escaping his unwelcome attentions, and
in doing so caught sight of a queer figure
shambling up the street. Making excuse
| to satisfy her curiosity, she looked out at
! it more closely. Over a nondescript cos
| tune long cloak of dark blue was wrap
| ped and ragged felt hat was pulled far
| down over a shock of unkempt faxen
hair. Upon his shoulder the man car
ried tinkers outfit, in his hand a stout
staff. He came slowly on, eying the hand
some houses sharply. Once or twice he
paused. AT the Lelands' steps he stop
ped, bowed awkwardly to the faces he
saw in the window, and began to shuttle
up to the front door.
LET me go, mother" said Bradford.
''No such evil-visaged fellow shall mend
your pans"
In short time he returned and hand
ed a small package to Desire.
"For me?" she murmured, in extreme
surprise. care you sure, Cousin Brad
ford that it is for me?" she asked, look
| ing at him rather than at the superscrip-
ton.
Read for yourself, fair COUSIN" was
his gay retort. Are you not truly Mis-
tress Desire Leland, at the home of Fran
els Leland, Esquire? Delay no longer to
look within the parcel, l pray you. | con-
fess to a consuming curiosity to know
| who has chosen so ill-favored a messen-
ger to be the bearer of his love letter.
Desire had by this time unfolded the
paper, and was reading it's contents with
changing countenance.
Go be continued)
Copyright.