Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-01-17
MAY THAT is viii vou .,,or 49, )

Nol now, SAID Norton, hurriedly:
"tomorrow-any other time.''
Neither now nor everr' was the re-
ply, as she made a motion to leave
him.
Ronald felt a chill like ice through
his heart. Mechanically he followed
her. took his hat in the hall and held
out his hand.
All, if she had but taken it, it never
would have let her go till she had
heard his hearts message! But Mabel
turned, with her formal "good-by,'
and left him.
AS he passed the night hours in grief,
he thought of her quietly slumbering,
careless of the wound she had made.
Indifferent to his fate.
But Mabel Leigh was paying dearly
for her words. On her knees, in the
room where she had SO cruelty dis
missed him, she wrung her hands and
wept bitter tears. The flush of anger
was gone. and in it's stead sense of
the wrong she had done, and the sor-
row she must endure. For Mabel
knew that Ronald Norton loved her,
and that she loved him. And now all
was at an end.
Her pride would not suffer her to
recall him; his would not allow him
to ask it. They had suddenly drifted
apart-would the wave of time ever
bring them together again?
Mabel bore her burden for a few
days until it began to tell upon her
health and spirits. Her pale cheeks
and heavy. eyes revealed that some
thing was wrong.
'What is the matter with you,
MabelYasked Eta Styles, dropping in
one day. "You are but the ghost of
your former SELF
..Oh, don't know" answered Mabel,
as carelessly as she could, Il only
need change, suppose"
''Change? Well, suppose you go with
us to Europe?"
'EuropeY A sudden joy shot
through Mabel's heart. She had been
longing and planning to get away, as
far away as possible, from the spot
which had grown uncomfortable to her.
How soon are you going?' she ask
ed.
TN next Saturdays steamer
Il will go"
"Oh, that is too goodr' cried Eta,
springing up and embracing her. II
coaxed mother all I could to go with
us, but she is too timid. Father
has crossed the ocean so many times,
he will make splendid escort, and
you will be such delightful company
for me-"
Mabel smiled derisively. Sorry COM
pany she would prove for Eta Styles,
and painful thoughts crowded upon
her as the needless girl ratified on.
The day on which they sailed was
cloudy and gloomy-in fit keeping
with Mabel's spirits. She had hoped
to the last that Ronald Norton would
come to her and say, "Stay!' but she
had never seen nor heard from. him
since that fatal night-maybe she
never would again! and scalding tears
dropped from her eyes at the thought
She had borne up wonderfully since
deciding to go abroad, for the relief of
getting out of sight of all eyes, and
giving way to her grief, was what she
lived for.
Their party had come early on board,
and retired at once to their state
rooms, so that Mabel was alone.
Alone she felt, separated from her
home and friends, every moment bear
ing her further and further away from
her country and-Ronald!
She lay listening to the creaking and
groaning of the ship, the hustle and
strange noises which never cease upon
a voyage, and never thought of them
at all. Her heart and brain were filed
with but one image, and she at last
fell asleep with tears for him wet upon
her cheeks.
Among the last Of the passengers
who came aboard the vessel was a
gentleman with a grave, handsome
face and reserved air, which gave a
sort of fascinating melancholy to him;
and although perfectly courteous, he
Kept aloof fro = all, seeming to prefer
his book or silent meditation to all
company. Hour after hour he spent
gazing upon the foaming pillows, the
matchless sunsets, the lovely moon
lights of ocean.
Poor Mabel and Eta were both de-
prived of these enjoyments, Eta be-
ing dreadfully seasick, and Mabel TOO
worn and miserable to leave her room.
They had been out nearly week
when Mr.. Styles insisted on MabeN
going on deck, declaring 1T a shame
that she should lose the pleasures OF
the trip, which was so nearly over.
So Mabel summoned all her
strength and went with him.
1t was a magnificent night. The 1uli
moon. glittering on the water, and re-
fiected back by each wave, tlnged
everything with silver
Mabel was entranced. She took MT.
Syles,s arm and walked up and down
once or twice, but her step was IAN
guild, and she grew weary.
Mr.. Styles proposed that she snouiu