Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-04-05

the militia band playing Strauss waltzes
at the other, the scarlet and white flags
noatlng bravely over everybody in the
breeze, and hum of many voices and a
sound of merry laughter in every direc-
| ton.
No one in all the gay crowd was more
admired or more noticed than .sthe bride. -
as she was still called, young Mrs. Ky
naston. Helen had surpassed herself in
the elaboration of her toilet. No one had
ever seen her look better; there was an
unusual color in her cheeks, an unusual
glitter in her blue eyes, that always
seemed to be rowing restlessly about her
as, though in search of something in an
swer to the pleasant and pretty speeches
that she received on all sides from men
and women alike
But through it all she never let Vera
Neylll out of her sight; where Vera NOV
ed, she moved also. When she walked
across the lawn, Mrs. Kynaston made
some excuse to go in the same direction;
when she entered either of the tents,
Helen also found it necessary to go into
them. But the crowd was too great for
anyone to remark this; no one saw it
save Denis Wilde, whose eyes were
sharpened by his love.
| Once Helen saw that Maurice and Vera
were speaking to each other. She could
not get near enough to hear what they
said, but she saw him bend down and
speak to her earnestly, and there was a
sad, wistful look in Vera's upturned eyes
as she answered him. Helen's heart beat
with wild, mad jealousy as she watch.
ed them; and yet it was but few words
that had passed between them.
Vera, young Wilde says you are go
ing to marry him; is it true?"
He wants me to do so, but / don't
think I cam
why not? 1t would be happier fol
you. child; forget the past and begin
afresh. He is good boy, and by and by
he will be well Off"
"You, too-you advise me to do thisT
she answered with unwonted bitterness
'Oh, how wise and calculating one ought
to be to live happily in this miserable
world!''
He looked panied.
Il cannot do you any good" he said
rather brokenly. Heaven knows l would
if l could. I can only be a curse to you
Give me at least the credit of unselfsh
ly wishing you to be less unhappy thar
you are''
And then the crowd, moving onward
parted them from each other.
do not forget to meet me at the
Bath" she called out to him as he went
ooh, to be sure! 1 had forgotten.
will be there just before the dancing be
gins
And then Denis Wilde took his place
by her side.
If Mrs. Kynaston surpassed herself II
looks and animation that day, Vera, or
the contrary had never looked less well
/ Her eyes were heavy with sleepless
!, nights and many tears; her movements
were slower and more languid than Of
wont and her face was pale and thin.
The day wore away, and the polo mattel
was over, and the votaries of lawn ten
mis- were worn out with running up anC
down, and the flowers and the fruits il
the show tent began to look limp anC
dusty The farmers and those people OF
small inheritance who had only been in
vited from two to five" began now tt
take their departure, and their carriage
wheels were to be heard driving away
in rapid succession from the front door
There was a general move toward the
house, and the band began to transfer
itself from the garden into the hall
where it's labors were to begin afresh.
Then it was that Vera crept forth ou
Of sheltered corner, and, Unseen ant
unnoticed save by one watchful pair Of
eyes, wendell her way through the shrub
berry walks in the direction of the Bath
CHAPTER XXIII.
Calm and still, like the magic mirror
of the legend, Shadonake Bath lay among
it's everlasting shadows. The great bel
of fir trees beyond it, the sheltering ever
green's on the nearer side, the tiers OF
gray, moss grown steps that encompass
ed it about. all found their image agar
upon its smooth and untroubled surface
There was a golden light from the set
ting sun to the west, and the pale mis-
| of a shadowy crescent moon had risen II
the east.
Vera sat down upon the steps and rest
ed her chin in her hands, and waited. Enc
house and the gardens behind her were
shut out by the thick screen of laurels
and rhododendrons. Before her, on Inc
other side. were the fir trees, with theil
red, bronzed trunks. and the soft, dark
brown carpet that lay at their feet
To Maurice, and Maurice alone, De
longed her life and her soul, and Vera
felt that 1t WOuIu ue edSleI Aol hSi ~ w
true to the sad, dim memory of his love
than to give her heart and her allegiance
to any other upon earth.
Suddenly there came sharp footsteE
and the rustic of woman's silken skirts
across the stone flags behind her. She
looked up quickly; Helen stood beside
her. Helen, in all the sheen of her gay
Paris garments. with the evening ligh'
upon her uncovered head, and the glow
of passion, fiercer than madness, in hel
glittering eyes. Some prescience of eyi
she knew not of what-made Ners
spring to her feet.
Helen spoke to her shortly and den
antly.
"AIiss Nevill, you are waiting here FOL
nv husband, are you not
A faint flush rose in Vera's face. !.
"Yes,o she answered very qmety.
am waiting to speak few words to HIM.
..You have something to give him, have
YOU not? Some letters that are mine, ane
which YOU have probably read
l NAiSA ~ so1-lx nd fox