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

Vera stood still and looked at it. Some
thing in its aspect-she could not have
told what-affected her powerfully She
went down two or three steps toward the
water, and stopped over 1t intently.
How dreadful to be drowned here"
she said, below her breath, and she shud-
dered.
He stretched out his hand to her.
do not say such horrid things! Give
rme your hand-the steps are slippery.
What has put drowning into your head?
And-why, how pale you are; what has
frightened your
do you believe in presentimentsT
she said, slowly, with her eyes fixed still,
as though by some fascination, upon the
dark waters beneath them.
mot in the very least" he answered,
cheerily "Vera. you are frightened; tell
me what it is!'
~ don't know l don't know" she
cried, with sudden wall, like a person
In pain: "only--oh! wish had not seen
1t for the first time with you"
Before he could answer her, someone,
'beckoning to them from the further side
of the pool, caused them both to turn
suddenly round.
1t was not only Herbert Pryme who
had seen them wander away down the
garden from the house. Mrs. Romer, too,
had been at another window and had
noticed them. TO run lightly upstairs,
put on her hat and jacket, and to follow
them, had been the work of but very
few minutes. Helen was not minded
TO allow Maurice to wander about all
the morning with Vera
Are you going for a walk?' she call
ed out to them across the water. wait
for me; am coming with you"
Vera turned quickly to her companion.
'Is it true that you are engaged to
,her?" she asked him rapidly, in a low
voice
Maurice hesitated. Morally speaking,
ne was engaged to her; but then, it had
been agreed between them that he was
to deny any such engagement. He felt
singularly disinclnd to let Vera know
what was the truth.
NO there is no engagement between
u.s." he answered, gravely.
II am very glad" she answered, earn
eestly. He colorcd, but he had no time
TO ask her why she was glad-for Helen
came up to them.
Let us go on" said Vera, and they
began to walk.
Once again in the days that were to
come those three stood side by side upon
the margin OF Shadonake Bath.
CHAPTER IN.
Old Lady Kynaston arrived at Shade
make in the worst possible temper. Her
butler had looked out the wrong train.
and had sent off his lady and her maid
an hour too late from Walpole Lodge.
She never reached her destination till
half past nine on the night of the ball.
Before she had half completed her toilet
Uhe guests were beginning to arrive.
When she issued forth from her room,
dressed, like little fairy godmother, in
point lace and diamonds. the dancing
downstairs was in full swing.
Lady kynaston paused for minute at
the top Of the broad staircase to look
down upon the bright scene below. The
hall was full of people. Girls in many
coIorcd dresses passed backward and for
ward from the ball room to the refresh
.lnent room, laughing and chatting to
their partners; elderly people were con
gregated about the doorways, goSslpng
aud shaking hands with newcomers. Ev-
,eryhody was talking at once There came
up pleasant confusion of sound-happy
voices mingling with the measured
strains OF the dance music. In II shell
tered corner behind the staircase, Bea-
tricc and Herbert Pryme had settled
themselves for chat. Lady Kynaston
saw them.
Caroline is a fool" she muttered to
herself "All the balls in the world
won't get that girl married as she
wishes. She has set her heart upon that
4brietless barrister. l saw it as plain as
daylight last season.
And then, coming slowly down the
staircase. Lady Kynaston saw something
which restored her good temper. The
something was her younger son. She
had caught sight of him through an open
doorway in the conservatory. His back
was turned to her. and he was bending
over lady who was sitting down, and
Nhose face was concealed behind him,
AND by the way in which he was evil
identity entirely engrossed and absorbed
in what he was saying he was enjoying
himself, and was happy. The mothers
heart all went out toward him; the moth
ers eyes moistened as she looked.
II wonder who she is she said to
herself. 1T is not Helen. She has pea
cocks feathers on her dress-bad luck, l
believe! Dear boy. he looks thoroughly
happy | will not disturb him now"
She passed on through the hall into the
large drawing room, where the dancing
was going on The first person she
caught sight of there was her eldest son.
He was dancing a Quadrille, and his part
,ner was short young lady in a straw
berry colored tulle Dress covered with
trails of spinach green fern leaves. This
young person had a round. chubby face,
with bright, applc-hued cheeks, dark,
bulet-shaped head and round, bead-like
eyes that glanced about her rapidly like
those OF frightened dickey bird.
That is my daughter-in-law,' said
Lady Kynaston to herself, and she al
smost groaned aloud. "She is worse even
Whan thought! John must be mad. No
wonder she is good, poor thing" added
the naughty little old lady, cynically. "A
woman with that appearance can never
be tempted to be anything else."