Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-04-06

striking an attitude of defiance. std be
only too glad of chance for our brave
colonials 20 show how they can defend
their property. Wouldn't you, Delight?"
The quick change from enthusiasm to
mischief was plainly expressed in her
voice. as she propounded this question.
Delight did not deign to answer. She
drew her shawl more closely around heri
head and rose.
"Oh, Delight. dent go in yeti" begged
Dave, reaching out TO seize her hand.
dI've more to tell
But she was already half way to the
house.
Goodnight, Dave" she called back.
They both watched her until the heavy
house door closed Then Sylvia came and
sat down beside the disappointed young
man.
Don't mind because she's cross and
queer, Dave. She's been so a great deal
since she came back from Aunt Salome's
the last time, when Aunt Rachel got SO
sick, you know" she counseled and con-
soled in the frankest fashion. why
don't you hurry up and finish your new
house and take her there? would if
were YOU"
The cloud which had settled somewhat
heavily over David's face deepened.
"'Tis hard to get her to speak of our
marriage at all lately" he said, half aloud.
Then, with swift conjunction at even so
slight disloyalty, he added, hastily:
'But then she's not been well for some
time, poor girl. Haven't you noticed how
easily she is startled and how often her
head aehes?"
Sylvia's pretty lips Strengthened to
scarlet line, an odd expression peeped out
for an instant from between her droop-
ing eyelids, the least bit of frown wrin-
killed. her smooth forehead.
"H'm! Yes, Dave; I've noticed, but
don't believe"
"Sylvia. Sylvia! Come in now!' called
her mother from the kitchen door.
'Yes'm. Goodnight, Dave. I'll tell you
the rest next time!'
With tantalizing little laugh, she ran
up the walk, and she, too, disappeared
within the large, weather-beaten house
whose shadow lay sharply defined in the
moonlight.
Left alone, David found himself
vaguely disquieted by Delights change
full moods and by Sylvia's half hints. The
news his friend Roger Stedman had
brought out from Boston also pressed as
a burden on his heart. Could it be true,
as his father had declared that very night
at supper, that the long smoldering bit
terness of feeling between royalists and
colonists was about to break forth? What
else could happen if this whispered plan
of capturing the military stores at Con-
cord should be carried out? Was it with
in belief that the people of Middlesey
County would quietly allow such a thing
to happen? He we'll knew that it was not.
So long as the blood ran through the veins
of one man Of them, so long would active
protest be made against injustice. Aye,
and, perchance, SO long as life fingered
within the breast of one Of the equally
brave mothers and sisters. Surely SO, if
all were made of stuff like to little Syl"
via! He was keenly conscious of disap-
pointment that Delights image did not
rise before him beside her sisters as an
embodiment of loyalty and courage. He
tried to Danish the painful thought before
it had come into existence. forcing him
self to believe that there must be some
satisfactory explanation of her apparent
coldness and Indifference.
Then came the awful realization of
what this defense might mean. If worst
came to the worst and the British opened
hostilities, what a fearful change might
be wrought in the quiet neighborhood,
which hitherto had known only peace
and prosperity! He started up and walk
ed at round pace along the road to Lex
ington, trying to shake off the forebodings
which oppressed him. AS he passed
gateway, a quarter of a mile west of the
Leland place, he saw a young man evil
IDENTIFY awaiting him. SIS it you, Roger"
he called, stopping.
eyes, Dave; I'll walk bit with you. I
wish Desire had been willing to come
home with me to-day. If anything should
come of this proposed expedition talk
who knows how long she may be cooped
up in Boston? Things are not going to
stay as they are now very long, in any
case, and II wish she was here at home
with the rest"
did you ask her to come with you?"
Eyes, when | saw her yesterday morn
ing. She was to make up her mind and
let me know when / called there in the
afternoon, ready to come straight out
here But she was out, the black servant
said, and there was no message left for
me-"
Go be continued.)