Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-06-08
Gilbert lifted his cap.

0AOSTt uILe0 MS cap.
she is the sweetest lady in the land
and that swear" he answered. "And il
she VIII not come here, will seek her the
world over till I find her.
Delight laughed and hurried away. The
TWO young men concealed themselves
again among the alders.
DESIRE came out of the house at her sis
ters call, entirely unsuspicious of the
starting message she was to receive. For
an instant she stood motionless after hear
ing 1t, then swiftly retraced her steps to
the kitchen.
Father" she said, with distinctness,
Gilbert Merridale is without. He woulS
speak with me. Have your permission?''
Gilbert Merridale?' repeated her faith
er in bewilderment.
Yes, father. He is the one told you
off, ~
The simple words and the unconscious
entreaty of her tones touched every heart.
All eyes were fixed on the two.
WHO shall relieve me from this griey-
GUS strait" the man broke out at length,
grooming. "Oh, Desire, my daughter, you
ask of me more than 1 have strength to
dor'
She knelt by his side and clasped her
soft fingers around his hard brown palm
He saw that her eyes were full of tears.
You know will do your bidding, faith
err she murmured
For many minutes nothing was heard
but the slow ticking of the tall wooden
clock in the chimney corner.
"God forgive me, if l err. Let him
come in, my child he said then. Desire
kissed his rugged cheek before she went
out to give her message to Delight.
Tell Gilbert that will see him here"
she whispered.
The elder sister stared at her in undis-
guised wonder.
Here! she said over after her blankly.
here! Why, Desire, are you gone daft :?
1t is risking his very life to be seenr'
My father has hidden me ask him. Is
that not surety enough?" she asked proud-
ly.
tather! again exclaimed Delight in
credulous. She looked with curious in
tentness at Desires lovely face An en-
Vlous pang shot through her guilty breast,
once more came the swift longing that
she, too, were as fearless and as true to
what she knew to be right. A deep sob
burst from her lips as she vanished into
the growing darkness. Like a feeting
shadow she passed down among the trees
to the brookside.
You will have chance to make your
bold saying good, my rash FRIEND" she an
nounced to the wondering young officer
when they had emerged from their covert
to meet her. my sister Desire sends you
word to join her at her home, in the pres
ence of her family"
by my faith" cried Archie McPhea-
dris, placing his hand with quick invol-
untary motion to his hip, ''stir not step,
Gilbert, on your peril. Forgive me, love-"
he added, on the instant mindful of De-
lights indignant glance; II remembered
only that we are in the midst Of enemies
IT'S perplexing message. 1 confess it is
not plain to me-
at is the simple truth Archie" Delight
EHeaid, and for one fieeting space she saw
that for this very reason it might be I'M
Ineligible to his willy SELF But ere the
thought had fairly crossed her mind, he,
alarmed at his indiscretion, had drawn
her to his arms and was murmuring en-
dearments which made her forget all else
in hearing them.
Gilbert Merridale, meanwhile, had been
thinking rapidly. He drew his fine figure
up with a pride equaling Desires.
Il will co." he decided. ''Wait for me
here, Archie. know the way"
(To be continued)
Copyright.