Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-05-03
Copyright, 1881. by Robert Bonner's Sons.
CHAPTER VI

in which a very tall and very angular OLD
lady was knitting, Il fancy that were to
have some visitors"
Goodness gracious! not men, l hope!"
exclaimed the old lady, sitting bolt up
right.
''They could scarcely be women. since
they are fresh from the diamond mines,
said Miss Muir, smiling. Fond as we
mostly are of jewels, we are generally
willing enough that the men should col
lect them in the rough" And then she
went on to tell her travelling companion
what visitors were expected. She hustled
out of her rocking chair and, much to
Miss Muir's amusement, was trembling
iy effecting some minor changes In the
arrangement of her cap and hair, when
the steps of the new arrivals were heard
amounting the stairs.
II have ventured to bring my uncle,s
entire party with me. Miss Muir" bois-
terously exclaimed Eastwood, who was
the first to enter.
''Ah, Miss Muir, glad to see you again
and looking so well!' cried Weems, bust
ling in close upon the nephew's heels, fol-
lowed by the rest "And here is Mrs.
Gimp, too, whom l met in your company
at Nyanza Station. Glad to meet you
once more, ma'am, and it's surprising how
young you are lookingv'
He shook hands with both ladies, with
noisy good nature, and then proceeded
ITO introduce his companions.
How? You have, then, met before!'
said Weems, with shade of annoyance.
as Mr.. Dunmore and Miss Muir fastened
to take each others hands, with pleased
words of greeting.
Yes said Mr.. Dunmore, tall and
noble looking man. II had the pleasure
of meeting Miss Muir at Nyanza Station
many months ago. This lady is, likewise,
an old acquaintance. How do you do,
Mrs. Gimp"
Then the other travellers were intro
duced These were Mr.. Alexander Mac
kenzie and his little son, Robbie, the for
mer on his way back to Scotland, as
Weems FASTENED to inform the ladies,
after long sojourn in the diamond re-
gions.
81 am so glad to meet you and your
little Robbie, Mr.. Mackenzie, since it
seems you are countrymen of mine!
said Agnes Muir, with simple heartiness.
what! and you be Scotch as weel, my
bonny Miss?'' said Mackenzie, turning
kindly eyes upon the young lady's sweet
face and trim figure.
''Did you ever know one of my name
Muir, and Agnes at that-who was other
than Scotch?' replied Miss Muir, look
ing up, with her pleasant smile. Il trust
that we may be fellow passengers on the
same steamer"
Before there could be a reply to this,
Mr. Weems interposed, saying:
II doubt, though, if it will be conyen-
lent, Miss Muir. for you to have your
new friends for shipmates."
.'Why not?"
Because they have signi6ed their in
tention of accompanying Mr.. Dunmore,
who, being in great haste to reach Eng
land, sails in the Scarborough at the end
of the present week, while have arrang-
ed for you and Mrs. Gimp to accompany
my nephew and me on the Caledonia,
which will be ready for sea a fortnight
later"
Miss Muir looked greatly disappointed.
"Could we not all sail ON the Scarbor-
ough?" she suggested
mo. no; my business engagements are
such that any other arrangement, on our
part, is out of the question" said Weems,
very decidedly, and with an uneasy
glance at DunmOre. who had all along
been looking at Miss Muir with a quiet
but steadfast admiration in his eyes.
''And, in view of certain pressing engage
ments on Mr.. Dunmore's part, it would
be very selfish in us to ask him to wait
over for the Caledonia"
at is not to be thought Of" said Dun
more, becoming suddenly reflective.
Much as 1 should like to have the ladies'
company, I am decided on taking the first
steamer at all hazards
Weems drew long breath of relief
The Scarborough was the ship already
doomed in his fiendish plot; it would have
been greatly opposed to his plan to sac
rifice Miss Muir also; while for the High
lander and his son he was totally indiffer-
emit With smile and a bow to the
ladies. Weems hurried away.
Night had fallen as he reached the still
noisy street. A brisk walk brought him
into the lower part of the town, where
he came to pause before a large public
stable. The window and doorway of
queer little eating house, half hidden
away beneath climbing and trailing vines,
were shining brightly at one side of the
stable, at the doors of which were loung-
ing groups of men, while horse was
drinking at the trough, and vehicle be-
ing Sponged on at the edge or the foot
way.
..Sims." called out Weems as he paus-
ed at the eating house doorway; and then
a young man, with an exclamation of sur
prise, hastily detached himself from one
of the groups and followed the new ar
rival into the place.
ssWell. Sims, how are we now" said
Weems, seating himself at a table in the
re,notest corner of the interior.
The young man. who was a spare-built,
grave young fellow. and an unmistakable
Jockey of the true London breed. nodded
knowingly, and at once proceeded to pour
into his masters ears steady current
of horse talk.
'sLet up about the horses now observ-
ed the master, leisurely lighting cigar,
and leaning back in his chair. "There'n
be time enough to settle up accounts with