Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-01-12
CHAPTER I.

In q warm triumphant flood over the face
and figure of girl standing in the shabby
breakfast room, with flushed cheeks and
angry eyes gazing at mass of lace and
dower-wreathed paper which she holds IN
her hand-a valentine, on which are pen
ned the following lines:
I do confess thou'rt young and fair,
And I might have been brought to love
thee,
Had | not found the slightest pray'r
That breath could frame had pow'r to
move thee.
But can let thee now alone,
As worthy to be loved by none.
L do confess thou'rt sweet, but find
Thee such an unthrift of thy sweets,
Thy fayors are but like the wind
That kisseth everything it meets.
"Who could have sent it?" she says, as
she throws the luckless valentine furi-
eusly down What impudence! Oh, if
ever find outv'
The speech is cut short by a noise and
hustle in the hall, followed Immediately by
the appearance Of two other girls, and
tall boy of that delightful hobbledehoy age
which is so trying to sisters and other
feminine members of 4 household.
"Holloa, Why, here's Yolande making
free with all our yalentines!' shouts the
youth. Enid, Vi, look out, or you won't
have Il chance Of seeing any!'
Don't be so absurd, Arthur says his
sister, sharply. Il never touch anything
that's not my own"
But are there any for us, Yolande:"
rho other girls cry eagerly
'"They are by your own plates" she an
swers.
oh Yolanae, is not this lovely? Who
can it be FROM" comes now from the
clear treble of the twin listers, who are
porting over their treasures with the de-
light and excitement of bashful fifteen.
every prettyP' she says. Il wonder
who sent them?"
land | have nothing" exclaims Arthur
ruefuiIy 'Weil, considering how [ dane
ed with that fat judith Hargreaves the
whole of last evening. and how | devoted
myself to her amusement, l must say L
did expect "a something. l am disap-
pointed in that young lady; [ really am"
Yolantle turns away to the breakfast
table and begins with nervous haste to
rattle the teacups and arrange the plates.
II believe somebody has sent 1o rude
valentine" asserts her brother, presently;
he has far 100 much of the talent of teas
ing to drop Il subject which he has found
to be unwelcome "Come, Yo confess,
there's a good girl, and then I'll call him
out and have satisfaction, even at the pis
tots mouth
4NOh. DO be quiet, you tiresome boy! ex
claims Solande, losing all patience at last.
,>or,1rnc, bpra'S mama ~
Looking at her face now as she rises to
welcome the white-haired old man who
enters the ROOM, no one could have helped
being struck by lis perfection. Such ten
derness. such welcome. such perfect, pro
tecting love. shine in the deep, humidseyes,
that even her lips are hardly more eio-
euent as she utters her morning greeting.
Her fathers glance is equally loving.
Very precious Indeed to his heart is this
lovely first-h@rn. born to him late in life.
as all his children were. and then left
from very early childhood TO his sole care
and love. The pretty. delicate young
wife had g}aldened his homo but very
few years. when death claimed her for
himself, and the three girls and Arthur
have been brought up almost entirely at
home
ne 9fS1AA3SA goes pil 1ulIN NOW.
none of the young Mervyns being at all
afflicted With hashEulness i'll the presence
of their respected progenitor, but employ
ing their tongues as freely before him as
they arc accustomed to do when by them
selves.
Arthur gets through his meal first and,
with bayish impatience, leaves the table
and the ROOM
stYolande.'' says her father. presently,
'.you, won't forget tho the Hargreaves
dine here Tonight, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Adair and their friends also:'
No, went forget" answers the girl.
Are Enid and TO come to dinner?"
asks Yiviea.
Yes, If Yelande thinks there will be
room"
s'Oh, yes pleuty!' says Yolande. Have
goa finished, girls"
YES" cried the twins simultaneously
And then they rise in their turn, and.
collecting their valentines. retire from the
room with their arms ciaSped around each
others waists, their normal way OF mov-
ing about
Yolande rings the bell for the removal
of the breakfast eguipagc. and then. with
a kiss 10 her father and 4 remark that his
morning paper is cut and ready for his
perusal. proceeds to interview the cook
and give the necessary instructions for the
evening.
Yolande has no great talent for house
keepfag. IL seems but the other DAY that
she was running wild with Arthur bird
nesting. eriekcting. fishing. doing all such
things as seemed good to her vagrant
fancy. and enjoying life fully and utterly
as any yeurg uEfettered creature can But
now things arc changed. \ governess has
been introduced TO teach the young lady
various arts and accomplishments, and.
IN company with Enid and Vi. she has tc
read. study and practice for three or four