Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-02-15

said his mother, in resigned ana de-
pressed tone Of voice.
His mother suddenly laid her hand up
on his arm.
who is that lovely woman who has
just come in with MauriceW she exclaim-
ed.
Her son followed the direction of her
eyes, and beheld Vera standing in the
doorway that led from the conservatory
by his brothers. side.
Without word he passed his mothers
hand through his arm and led her across
the room.
"Vera, this is my mother" he said.
And Lady Kynaston owned afterward
that she never felt so taken aback and
SO utterly struck dumb with astonish-
ment in her life.
Her two sons looked at her with
amusement and some triumph. The little
surprise had been so thoroughly carried
out; the contrast Of the truth to what
they knew she had expected was too good
joke not to be enjoyed.
Not much what you expected, little
mother, is it?" said Maurice. laughingly.
But to Vera, who knew nothing, it was
no laughing matter.
She put both her hands out trembling
ly and hesitatingly-with pretty plead
ing look of deprecating Difference in her
eyes--and the little old lady, who valued
beauty and grace and talent so much
that she could barely tolerate goodness
itself without them, was melted at once.
MY DEAR" she said, ''you are beauti-
full, and / am going to love you"
Where was Helen? Lady Kynaston
said to herself and why was Maurice
devoting himself to his future sister-in-
law instead OF to her?
Mrs. Romer had not been far off. Hcr
sharp eyes had seen Vera and Maurice
disappear together into the conservatory.
She had seen the look of delighted sur
prise on Lady Kynaston's face; she had
noted how pleased and how proud OF
Vera the brothers had looked, and then
how happily Maurice and Vera had gone
away again together.
What does it mean?'' Helen asked her
self, bitterly. rs John a fool or blind
that he does not see what is going on
under his nose? She has got him, and
his money, and his place; what does she
want with Maurice too? Why can't she
let him alone-she is taking him from
me-"
why are you not dancing, Mrs. Ro-
merY said voice at her elbow.
II will dance with you, Sir John, IL
you will ask me-" answers Helen smil
ing.
Sir John responds, as in duty bound
by passing his arm around her waist.
when are you going to be married, Sir
John?" she asks him, when the first
pause in the dance gives her the oppor-
tunity Of speech.
Sir John looks rather confused WELL
to tell you the truth have not spoken
to Vera yet. | have not liked to hurry
her--I thought, perhaps"
why don't you speak to her? A wom-
an never thinks any better OF man for
being difiident in such matters"
You think not? But you see Vera
isl
"Vera is very much like all other wom-
en-, | suppose; and you are not versed
in the ways of the SEX"
Sir John demurred in his own mind as
to the first part of her speech. Vera
was certainly not like other women; but
then he acknowledged the truth of Mrs.
Romer's last remark thoroughly.
mo, | dare say | don't know much
about women's ways" he admitted; "and
you think"
II think that Vera would be glad
enough to be married as soon as she can.
An engagement is a trying ordeal. One
is glad enough to get settled down. What
is the use of waiting when once every
thing is arranged?"
Sir John flushed little. The prospect
of speedy marriage was pleasant to
him. 1t was what he had been secretly
longing for-only that, in his slow way.
he had not yet been able to suggest it.
do not lose any more time" contin
ued Helen, following up the impression
she saw she had made upon him. Speak
to her this evening; get her to fix your
wedding day within the month; believe
me, man gets no advantage by putting
things off too long: and there are dan
gers, too, in your case.
"Dangers How do you mean?' he
said, quickly.
"Oh, nothing particular-only she is
very handsome, and she is young, and
not accustomed, dare say, to admira-
ton. Other men may admire her as
we'll as YOU"
If they did it could do her no HARM"
he answered stitfiy.
"Oh, no, Of course not; but you can't
keep other men from looking at her.
When once your wife you will have her
more completely to yourself"
Sir John made no particular answer
TO this: but when he had done dancing
with Miss Romer, he led her back to her
seat and thanked her gravely and cour-
teously for her suggestions.
CHAPTER X.
Vera stood on the hearth divesting her
self of her long fur cloak; she flung it
over the back OF chair. and then took
off her hat and gloves. Maurice was
strangely unlike himself this morning,
for he never offered to help her in these
operations, he only stood leaning against
the corner OF the mantel-piece opposite
her. looking at her.
John sent me to talk to You. Maui
rice" began Vera, hurriedly. like one
repeating lesson; he tells me you will
not be with US on the 9th; is that sop
II am sorry, but / am obliged to so
u n