Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-09-14
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
1t was year and half since Austin's
death now; the snow lay on the ground,
and the pretty robin redbreasts We're
beating their wings in despair at not find
ing bread crumbs everywhere; cold north
ern winds were blowing, and the great
trees stood gaunt and bare; the boar
frost hung white and bright on the
hedges. For many days Sir Cyril had
been saying to himself that surely now
enough; he could not content himself
much longer; he must speak to Lenore,
must tell her that he loved her madly as
ever and ask her to marry him.
He wrote to her through the post and
told her that he wanted very particularly
to see her; would she fix a time for see
ing hiM? IGNORES face flushed and her
hands trembled as she read that little
note, SO sweet in it's very imperiousness.
"That which l have to say to you, Lee
more, is important" he had written, land
must be said. Do not drive me mad by
arranging a time to see me in which
shall find myself confronted with Miss
Beaten. 1t is you | want to see, Lenore
only YOU"
So she took sweet compassion on him.
An invitation came for her and Glade to
dine with Lady Mostyn, and meet some
officers Lenore declined, and Glade ac-
cepted.
Then Lenore sent Sir Cyril a-note, say
ing she should be at home on such an
evening, and would see him if he came.
He wondered afterward how he lived un-
til that evening came. Lenore was vexed
with herself. Why should her face flush
and glow ?-why did the white, jeweled
hands tremble why did something like
music rise every moment from her heart
to her lips ?-why had the world changed
again for her?
She rose when his name was announc-
ed, but it was lest he should see the
trembling that she could not control. He
went straight up to her and took both
her hands in his
my darlingv' he said, Eat last-at
last!'
Who shall blame him that great sob
rose to his lips as he clasped his arms
around her? He had loved her so pas
sonately and so long.
''At last!' he repeated; "and, oh, my
darling! with no barrier between us, free
to love and live for each other. At last,
sweet!'
Then he looked at the beautiful face,
blushing and dropping from his.
my darling" he cried, II have been
longing for weeks past to speak to YOU;
but | dare not, lest / should speak too
soon. have suffered for my silence, but
I have kept it. Do you remember our
parting, my hearts loveLthat cruel mo-
ment in which did not dare to hope you
would ever be given back to me? Do you
remember it? Tell me, do you love me as
much now as you did then?"
81 believe that | love you great deal
more" she answered. with that straight
forward simplicity which always charac-
terized her. I'VE have both suffered so
much since them
He shuddered at the words.
Eyes" he said, in low voice. Heaven
knows that we have suffered, both of u.s.
But, Lenore do you really love me?-
Will you really be my wife?"
81 do not like the word wife Cyril, y
she said quietly; ''to me it has only been
another word for sorrow
1--WE will soon change all that Lenore.
l think the word wife is the sweetest in
any tongue Will you be my wife,
'.Yes," she answered; "but-not yet,
Cyril-not quite yet"
He did not wait for the conclusion of
the sentence, but folded her in his arms
and held her there as though only death
should part them. Then, releasing her,
he said:
There are some moments in life which
pay for all, Lenore | would have suffer
ed a thousand years to be happy as
am now. And, oh, my darling, in your
innocent sorrow and sadness, how little
you know the horrors have endured. So
you will take me, but it must not be yet,
love-not YETI!
She shook her beautiful head graveiy.
You see, Cyril, it is but eighteen
months, and poor Austin-well, it was
terrible fate for him, and the world does
not know how it really was-does not
know that married him loving you; let
me show all respect to his memory. Do
not ask me the same question again until
quite two years have passed. Come to
me next July, and | will have kinder
answer than this
He stood looking at her with tender,
loving reproach in his dark eyes.
II have waited so long," he said, gent
~, $50 long, my darling, and now you
send me back again.
1T is only for Austin's sake" she said,
mot for yours or for mine. You will be
better pleased in the after years
1T is six months-six whole months,
Lenore," he said. She smiled
.'They will soon pass, Cyril she an
swered.
And am to stay away from you all
that timer he asked Must / never
visit you, or be received as your lover?
What task you set me. Lenore.''
She folded her white hands and laid
them on his broad breast; she raised her
most fair face to his.
Darling, you will not be angry with
ME. she said. DO you know I cannot
help it. am frightened even to think
of our happiness, because it grows out of
a grave If Austin had not died, ne
could never have been happy, and it
seems TO me that onr happiness spur