Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-08-23
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

with HIS udlluS Uculuu LIS UdCh, LIS
Thoughts took this shape:
"a splendid home, three hundred thou
Sand dollars, and a beautiful bride, await
S1g this unknown sailor, Charles Carpen-
ker Will he come? That is the ques-
zion. don't think he will; indeed, am
reasonably sure that he will not. And if
he does not, what then? Who will pos
sess the home, and the fortune, and the
beautiful bride? Curious that my friend
Martin Hermann wrote his will in Ger
man, and that the witnesses to it are
dead. Remarkable that he should leave
his estate jointly to this sailor nephew
and Miriam, conditioned on their marry
ing, and with no provision for its dis
posal in the event of their not marrying!
All, well; if men always acted with due
9orethought, there would be very little for
the lawyers to do"
After some minutes he heard the rustic
of a dress behind him, and turning, he
stood face to face with Miriam Hermann,
sad-eyed and pale in her mourning dress
'Ah! Miss Miriam, l am glad to see
you; but sad to see you still cast down.
/ would not again intrude on your pri-
vacy; but it is time that you should know
all The world rolls on, though people
are born and die; and prosy business
clamors with memorable demand"
Business, in this case is duty" said
Miriam taking chair some distance
away.
every true, indeed Miss Miriam;
though business details are never pleas
ant to ladies, particular to young ladies,
whose paths should be flowerstrewn, and
who should have strong, reliant guides to
lean on. You have read the copy Of the
will sent your"
81 have"
"And what do you think of it's condi-
Gions--of your marrying this unknown
man, Charles Carpenter?'
''My respect for my adopted father is
too great for me to oppose, in any way,
his wishes as manifest in his WILL" re-
piled Miriam.
''Ihat is we'll said. and it does you
credit
Mr.. Cheatham pulled some papers from
his pocket, and selecting one, he contin-
ued:
Through our consul at Frankfort,
learn that Charles Carpenter, the nephew
of my lamented friend, was left an or
phan at an early age. He was adopted
by an old sea captain, and but little is
known of him since; from that little / am
given to understand that he is wild and
unsettled. But if we can find him, the
temptation for him to settle down and
become such man as his uncle would
have had him, for your sake, will be very
great-irresistible indeed"
II pray you may be right" sighed Mi
riam.
''And then, again." said Mr. Cheatham,
as if struck with an important second
thought, Charles Carpenter may be
dead
ooh. heaven forbid! Good or bad, this
property belongs to him; and though
could not marry such man as you think
this Charles Carpenter to be, l can do
him justice"
JUSTICE repeated Mr.. Cheatham.
Yes; I can resign to him whatever
claims have on his uncle's estate"
but that would leave you poor"
Eyes, and free. Better that than to be
the wife of a man / could not respect.
A true woman cannot barter her affec-
Sions for gold; she ceases to be true when
she even debates the question with her.
SELF" said Miriam, her eyes flashing and
her cheeks flushing. "What else have
you lee.rned?'
Nothing-absolutely nothing, though T
expect much from the advertisements
have caused to be sent broadcast through
the land. l am leaving no stone unturn-
ed. Yesterday l saw the German consul
"a very fine gentleman-never met nicer
He took me by both hands, and said, with
dimmed eyes:
You are doing your duty by my de-
parted countryman, Lawyer Cheatham;
and am sure his beautiful daughter full
ly appreciates your efforts
Ibid the German consul suggest any
Sourse?"
Eyes: but I had thought of the same
thing myself. He advised my employing
a man familiar with the German Ian
guage and people to help in the search for
Charles Carpenter"
And you have done 500"
81 attended to it with professional
punetuality. Chance threw in my way a
Young man named Paul Neville He is
of French extraction, / think; I know
he speaks French and German as we'll as
ne does English. And he has been much
at sea- He was to have met me here
this morning. Has any such person call
<d7''
Il,
Chatham looked ut his watch and rose to
leave.
us there anything more?" he asked,
affecting an expression intended to be
very tender.
Thanks; nothing more"
Anything can do to dispel the clouds,
or to tighten your burden?"
''Nothingw And seeing that he looked
ready to sit down again, if given the least
encouragement, she reached out her hand.
Mr. Cheatham pressed the little fingers,
suppressed sigh, and solemnly and sad
fy took his departure.
When nearing the gate be met Mrs.
Hope, the housekeeper. hurrying toward
the house. Her head was bowed, and
she was not aware OF his vicinity till
warned by his voice.
And how are you now. Mistress
Hope?" He spoke in very low tone.
and bent till his face was on level with
hers. Without waiting to be informed
as TO the state of Mrs. Hopes health, he
continued. ST am glad / moi vou v6fv