Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-04-20


long, full apron of the same material
was tied about her still shapely waist.
Easy fitting shoes of prunella had replac-
ed her satin slippers, and all the jewels
had disappeared from her capable hands.
Il, too, will change my gown for one
more suitable" said Desire, glancing
down at the dainty, dove-colored silk and
placing her burden on the table.
Mistress Salome took her niece in her
arms and pressed warm kiss on her fair
cheek
Heaven bless your kind heart, my las
sic, but the sights and sounds of a wound
ed soldiers room are no fitting ones for
maiden's seeing and hearing. Do my bid
ding, sweet child. Go to your own pleas
ant nook and busy yourself until | call
you down. I will send Carson with your
supper. Choose out some merry tales to
read to the lads when they shall be conva-
descent"
| Desire chung trembling to her aunt.
please, please, Aunt Salome, let me
stay quite near, if may not help to nurse
| them. Don't send me away!
"My sweetheart, 'twould only distress
you!'' said Mistress Leland, surprised at
her request.
ooh, no, Aunt Salome. l will be so
brave-so quiet. Let me just sit outside
the door, ntil-until-until-"
Her voice failed her. Her aunt could
hear her hearts quick throb. She felt
the burning blush Of the cheek resting
against hers. The hand she held was icy
cold. By some sure instinct she OWNED
the truth. But she spared the girl the
| knowledge that her secret had been I'M
Willingly revealed. Quite decidedly she
unclasped her clinging arms. In the most
matter-of-fact way, without appearing to
even notice her confusion, she said:
NAY, now, my love, it's not to be
thought of. You would not wish to be
seen lettering idly about a military hos
pital That is what our home must be-
-, come for a time. There is absolutely
nothing you can do for the present but to
wait, and waiting is the hardest part of a
woman's work ofttimes," she added, sorry
for the disappointment Desire could not
wholly conceal. $50 run away to your
room, lassie, and be my own brave girl.
Say prayer for the dear lads who are to
be brought here, and for all others who
are suffering. will come myself and give
you the surgeons report in due time"
| Desire said no more She turned away
and slowly climbed the stairs to the large
room on the third floor of the mansion,
which had been charmingly fitted up for
the use of her sisters and herself during
their frequent and prolonged visits to their
uncles home. Her eyes were trimming
with tears, and her lips quivered piteous-
| ly She sat down in the low, deep window
seat and looked off across the blue water
in the direction of Lexington. She tried
| to imagine the commotion and excitement
which must have occurred there on this
| eventful day. She recalled gratefully
Rogers thoughtfulness in sending her
such prompt tidings of the safety of her
dear ones. Roger was always so thought
full and considerable of every one. She
could not remember the time when she
had not known Roger. Kindness from
him was like the sunshine and the pure,
sweet air she breathed-a matter of
| course.
But her thoughts did not linger long
with the loved ones of her home circle.
The newer friend of the past winter, the
handsome young stranger, who had made
her aunt's house almost his home since
her coming there, in December, and who
had wooed her so quietly, so gently, that
she had never before suspected it--this
man whom her father and her mother had
never seen, absorbed her whole attention
She felt no shame in thus acknowledging
to herself what he had never spoken in
| words. She was as sure of his love for
her as of hers for him.
when l see him, he will understand y
she said in all simplicity. "But, oh! when
will that be? Suppose he should die?"
This cruel possibility sent her to her
knees, chilled with terror to make the
prayer her aunt had hidden her to say for
all the sorely distressed. Scarcely had
she risen when she heard the tramp of
feet on the pavement. From her window
she could see nothing of what was going
on directly below her, but sounds came up
through the house now and then. The
roll of chaise wheels told her that the sur
geon had arrived. The doctors gig soon
followed Once a sharp cry reached her
ears: doors opened and shut; then for a
| long time all was still.
The sun was just sinking behind the
hills marking the western horizon when
Carson came in bearing a tray loaded
with tempting dainties.
Mistress Leland babe me stay and pour
your chocolate, Mistress Desire said the
kind-hearted English girl, arranging the
dishes ON small table. First l will
light the fire. The evenings are right
chilly yet, and the cracking of the sticks
will be company for you. It's a lonesome
| house below. They say the young officer
will be in bed here this many day. The
| bullet entered his chest and made an ugly
wound
| Desire listened hungrily, but with sink
| ing heart, to this scrap of information.
! She still sat looking out over the dark
ening town while Carson drew chair to
the little table and babe her young lady
partake of the savory meal. The door
/ opened and Mistress Salome entered. -
| "Ah, am in good time, am not! Pour
me a cup, too, Carson; then so below and
| wait in the lower hall until | call. Some
| thing may be needed from the sick rooms.
| will serve Mistress Desire.
| Desire needed now no second bidding TO