Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-03-30
CHAPTER XXI.

with the tempered GOODNESS that rarely
visits northern winters, Yolande grows
stronger and more like her old bright self.
The party stay for two months at Nice,
and then wander on laZily and carelessly
from place to place. Travelling across
Tuscany, they halt one evening at Monte
pulto. Here Yolande leaves the inn and
saunters forth.
Her absorbed reverie is disturbed at
last Along the narrow path she treads
another footstep echoes. She raises her
ewes and sees approaching the figure OF
a man, young, stalwart. He looks up,
and then, with cry of bewilderment
rather than of pleasure, Yolande sees be-
fore her the aforementioned face of
Lance Stapleton.
Lancet she cries, eagerly, and her
hand is outstretched in greeting; and the
wonder and surprise Of seeing him bring
the rosy color to her face in fattering
warmth and brilliance.
"Why, Lance, how did you come here?
How glad 1 am to see your
He makes no response to her enthusi-
astic welcome. He only stands looking
silently at her face, great pain gnaWfng
at his heart, great sorrow darkenlng his
eyes.
care YOU not glad to see me?'' she says,
disanpeintedly. "You have not spoken a
single word
"T-I was so surprised" he stammers,
feebly ''Have you been ILL"
'Yes," she answers, flushing nervously.
''But | am all right again now-quite
strong and we'll, Lance, assure YOU"
I-I suppose your husband is here,
too?''
"My husband!'
The girl recoils as though he had struck
her, and every drop of blood recedes from
her face, leaving it white as death.
"Oh, Lance" she cries, clasping her
hands and turning her sorrowful eyes
away from his startled face, sis it posi-
BILE you have not heard?'
Heard what?'
."That Denzil Charters is married?'
she says, with a quietness that amazes
herself.
Married! and not to you, Yolande? Are
you dreaming?'
"Oh, / wish were-I wish were" she
cries piteously, all her self-command
swept away by the sympathy and tender
ness in his gaze and voice.
cit seems all so strange" Lance con-
tinues, moving on beside her through the
pale green olive woods. when l saw
him last he was so full of JOY and happi-
ness, guessed his secret without word.
He said he would bring you home as soon
as ever it was possible. What has come
between you? Has he played you false,
or have you
"No,' she interrupts. "Treachery part
ed us-a woman's treachery. She is now
his wife. 1 cannot tell you the wretched
story, Lance; it is too painful STILL
Moving on with needless feet and down
bent eyes, Yolande and Lance suddenly
find themselves once more in the stray
Cling village street; and there, standing
at the inn window, laughing and talking
merrily together, with the unrestraint and
freedom of old acquaintanceship, Yolande
sees her sister Enid and Sir Edward
Llewellyn.
"I have only just arrived he says,
shaking hands warmly with her as he
spoke.
"And were you not surprised to find us
here?' asks Yolande.
"TI cannot exactly say I was" he an
swers, in some slight confusion; ''for, to
tell you the truth, followed you up from
your last hating place"
ooh, indeedw says Yolande. "And are
you doing Italy also?"
Ell think so" he answers, making
valiant effort to recover himself and look
composed.
ssWhom were you talking with, 70
lander" interrupts Enid at this moment.
Lance Stapleton. 1t turns out that he
is our fellow traveller who is staying
here she answers.
"Lance-dear old Lance? Oh. how glad
I am!' cries Enid, with an enthusiasm
that apparently does not awaken any SYM
natby on the part of Sir Edward.