Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-11-30

.Ennisford walks into the breakfast room,
white as a sheet, and wan and limp.
"Why?"
"Why? Because they don't suit you;
you look like ghost to-day. Have you
slept at all?"
mot very much; my unusual dissipa-
ton made me restless, suppose" is the
answer, with forced and sickly smile.
''Ennisford slept sound enough, l dare
say, after his exertions?'
No; something kept him awake, too,
for he walked up and down his dressing
room instead of going to bed"
"Oh! over-fatigued. Did he dance
much?''
"a good deal, think; but, Bella, am
tired of going through my catechism, and
want my tea awfully," Lady Ennisford
says, quietly, but flushing a little.
"And how many times was it Lord En-
nisford's royal will and pleasure to dance
with that Aylmer woman?
Bella asks this in her point-blank way
that bears no evasion, while she puts a
cup into the trembling fingers opposite.
Upon this, the not very strong moral
courage collapses, and the sluice-gates Of
misery burst their bonds. Lady Ennisf-
ford in trice, sees all, hears all, goes
through all the pain and humiliation Of
the preceding night, and, for once, loyalty
to this husband of hers loses itself in a
desperate sense of his unkindness and
fckleness.
HE danced with no one elsev' she
cries, a little shrilly; "and, Bella, she
was out-and7out the most beautiful wom-
an in the room. with her lace and emer-
aIJ oh ho.
what possible chance can l have against
herY'
Bella looks at her with unmitigated
contempt.
what chance? Good gracious Fran
ces, one would think you were not his
wife-that you were in the same box as
that woman! Don't sit down like baby
with your fears, but be strong of will and
just show him you are. He is week,
wavering man and will never dream Of
kicking if you put the curb on tight!'
Cant you help me to keep him from
her?' asks Lady Ennisford, piteously, for
Bella is much the stronger vessel, and
linvoluntarily the weaker one turns to it..
Bella smiles a wicked, self-complacent
smile at the position she has attained to-
that of being mentor and adviser in ordi-
nary to the Marchioness Of Ennisford-
not so bad, after all, seeing how slippery
a ladder she has mounted to arrive at it.
All her cruel desire for revenge ON this
poor little woman who married Ennis
ford is lost in mad hatred for Lady
Aylmer. 1t may be because she looks
down on Lady Ennisford personally and
mentally, feeling that robs revenge Of
half its sweetness, but she is fain forced
to acknowledge the perfection Of Lady
Aylmer's face and figure, even though
mental qualifications may lack.
''I'lI write to BERTHE and ask him to
come at once! He will certainly make
diversion in our favor" she says, cheer
fully Meantime, Frances, NUNS the
word, remember! and when that gay Lo-
thario, Ennisford, comes down to break
fast don't be too aniable to him. Recol-
lect that it is for his own good, as we'll
as for your own, to keep up your dignity
of wife. You and and BERTHE shall be
three to one, and we must win, you
know!" And Bella, flourishing a bunch
of keys, executes sort of war dance on
her way to the door.
So it happens that when, half an hour
later, Lord Ennisford lounges down, look
ing very handsome in neglige black vel
vet coat, but almost as white and wan
and limp as herself, his wife, drawing
herself up, pushes his coffee across in
silence, following up her attentions by
the toast and butter, and then, with
face which is decidedly sullen, she rises
from the table and is ON the point Of leav-
ing her liege lord to his own company,
when his voice arrests her.
What is the meaning of such treat
ment?" he thunders, his fair skin grow
ing pink and his forget-me-not eyes
afiame. Your face is enough to drive
a fellow into cutting his throat | give
you full warning, madam, that if | can't
find comfort and pleasantness In my own
house l shall seek them elsewhere"
Elsewhere" she thinks, means / of
course at Lady Aylmer's, as she stands
like small pillar of ice, a bewildered
look in her eyes and bewildered feeling
In her brain. Her impulse is just to
throw herself into his arms and beg Of
him to go on loving her unless he wants
to kill her; but Bella has hidden her keep
up her dignity as the only means Of re-
tanning the tickle heart of this man-and
B Has is the master spirit.
81 don't know what l havedone," she
SdJSs Tying " SpG0h Lily Uut Idlllu&
ANONYMOUSLY, for her very teeth chatter
from nervousness.
1T is not what you have done, Lady
Ennisford! 1t is your manner and look.
/ know that fend Bella has been putting
You up to fout your airs and graces in
my face. You haven't it in your he
cries, contemptuously. But both of you
will find you are on the wrong tack. Come
back, and give me my breakfast properly,
If you please
She goes back at once, her limbs trem-
bling under her; and after helping him to
a dainty outlet, reposing on its savory
bed Of green peas, she awaits his further
commands meekly.
II don't want this stuffr' he cries,
coarsely AL [ want is ordinary ciyility
at your hands. can get as many women
as I like. to smile upon me, SO lis not
very likely shall put up with black looks
from you- If we cannot get on comfort
ably together. Frances. il Is very easy