Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-11-02
CHAPTER Nv.

CHAPTER Nv.
| When the evening is over, the lights
turned down in Highcliffe, and Lady En-
nisford gone to seek the rest she so much
needs after days and nights of watching
and wailing, Bella, with the door Of the
room assigned to her little aJar, sits
and thinks everything over
! Suddenly there comes the echo of a
mans step, a buoyant, springy step, be-
tokening a light heart and thoroughly
mercurial temperament Bella has found
out already, after few hours sojourn
at Highcliffe, that Lord Ennisford, who
has been writing in the library, will have
| to pass her door on his way to bed, and
for this reason she has left it ajar. He
sees tiny streak of light streaming into
the passage, and, as he passes, he looks
in.
"Where are you, Bella? 1 doubt if
you know yourself! you are in such a
brown study" Lord Ennisford says,
pleasantly. II want to tell. you that l
am so glad to see you again. 1t seems
just like old days-this.'
| How many men are apt to make silly
speeches which they repent Of bitterly at
leisure! And this is silly speech, for
Bella Pushes up wildly as she listens,
and a glow of exultation goes through
her, but she only answers quietly enough:
"ArH I am very glad to be here,
George; you don't want to be told that.
wished to say something to you this first
day of my coming, but as l had no oppor-
tunity of doing so downstairs, l left my
door open on the chance Of your passing.
George, do so want you to forget that
we were ever more than cousins! ought
never to have reviled you as I did that
day-but I had an excuse, dear. You
see that in losing you lost-everything!
I knew l could never care for any other
man, look at any other man after you;
you have spoilt me! You make every
other man in the world appear so ugly
and coarse and altogether not worth re-
specting."
She brings it out so frankly and inno-
Gently, with lovely childish candor, that
Of course he swallows with avidity the
pernicious fattery, and never even re-
members that it has been hurled at him,
and by no means adroitly administered
as many worldly women would have
done.
Don't be absurd, Bellav' he cries, COM
placently; land don't go and make an
Adonis Or a Paladin of me! There are
lots of fellows who beat me hollow in
looks and brains, too, I'm afraid
She shakes her head obviously.
"Those lots of fellows are not in my
line, George; but I would rather not al
lude to the past, if can help it! Though
what past it has been! Oh, George!
George! dare not tell you lie, and say
that your love is becoming a thing Of the
past to me! but l have sworn to keep
my regret to myself, / only want to see
you-to stay with you and-yours."
Lord Ennisford listens, and is really
moved at her unselfishness, and, more
over, he is agreeably surprised.
"You are going to be our good angel,
after all, Bella, see! You have cast a
spell over the boy already. He was sleep
ing quietly just now, and he has not
seemed so we'll for weeks. And Lady
Ennisford, poor child she will brighten
up now into her old self again! fancy
she looks considerably changed 60 you,
doesn't she?"
Remarkably changed-T should never
have known her! How old is she, George?
She looks very faded and worn-poor
thing!'
Lord Ennisford winces and frowns a
little. To hear that his wife of two
years standing presents a faded and
worn appearance is scarcely gratifying,
but Bella says It so alphabetically that
Of course he cannot credit her with mall
ice.
sSit down moment, Ennisford,' she
says, pushing him gently into a great
chair, whose spreading arms and velvet
cushions look inviting 1T is so much
more comfortable sitting than standing
to chat / want to tell little home
news, about the Duke and your mother,
and all the doings. Belgraye square is
dreadfully changed since you married"
1T it?' he asks, lounging back in the
fauteuil, and looking the picture of hand
some Incidence and ease. Howl"
"Oh, it's a perfect prison house for
dullness. The Duke sticks to Whites
more than ever, and my aunt to her own
chair; your sisters hardly ever come near
US, and BERTHE, who might enliven us a
bit. writes that he can't get away from
Vienna, rs bis diplomatic duties prevent.