Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-05-23

VIII nave rare chance for taking music
lessons OF our best teachers; and then,
too, you will be in the same house with
george, and that alone is worth going to
Boston for, l think"
Ida little suspected that her last argu-
ment was the strongest objection to
Mary,s going, for, much as she wished
TO meet George again, she felt that she
would not on any account go to his home,
lest he should think she came on pur.
pose to see him. There were other rea-
sons, too, why she did not wish to go.
Henry and Rose Lincoln would both be
in the city, and she knew that neither
OF them would scruple to do or say any
thing which they thought would annoy
her. Mrs. Mason, too, missed her, and
longed to have her at home; so she resist
ed all lda's eRtreaties, and the next let
ter which went to Aunt Martha carried
her refusal
In day or two Mary received two let
tiers, one from Billy and one from Mrs.
Mason, the latter of which contained
money for the payment of her bills; but,
ON offering it to the principal, how was
she surprised to learn that her bills had
not only been regularly paid and receipt
ed, but that ample funds were provided
for the defraying~ of her expenses during
the coming year. A faint sickness stole
over Mary, for she instantly thought Of
Billy Bender, and the obligation she
would now be under to him forever. Then
it occurred to her how impossible it was
that he should have earned so much in
so short time; and as soon as she could
trust her voice to speak, she asked who
it was that had thus befriended her.
The preceptress was not at liberty to
tell, and with a secret suspicion of Aunt
Martha, Mary returned to her room to
read the other letter, which was still I'M
opened. Her head grew dizzy, and her
spirits faint, as she read the passionate
outpouring Of heart which had cherish
ed her image for years, and which,
though fearful of rejection, would still
tell her how much she was beloved. 1T
is no sudden fancy" said he. "Once,
Mary, l believed my affection for you
returned, but now you are changed. Your
letters are brief and cold, and when L
look around for the cause l am led to
fear that | was deceived in thinking you
ever loved me. If l am mistaken, tell
me 50; but if l am not, if you can never
be my wife, l will school myself to think
of you as a brother would think of an
| only and darling sister"
For several days Mary had not been
well, and the excitement produced by
| Billy's letter tended to increase her ill
ness. During the hours in which she was
alone that day she had ample time for
reflection, and before night she wrote a
letter to Billy, in which she told him how
| impossible it was for her to be the wife
of one whom she had always loved as an
own and dear brother This letter caused
Mary so much effort and so many bitter
tears, that for several days she continued
worse, and at last gave up all hope of be-
ing present at the examination.
"Oh, it's too badr' said Ida, "for l do
want you to see Cousin George, and L
know he'll be disappointed, too, for l
never saw anything like the interest he
takes in you"
A few days afterward, as Mary was
living thinking of Billy, and wondering if
she had done right in writing to him as
she did, Jenny came rushing IN, Wlld
with delight.
Her father was downstairs, together
with Ida's father, George and Aunt Mar
tina. ''Most the first thing l did, SAD
she, "was to inquire after Billy Bender!
l guess Aunt Martha was shocked, for
she looked so queer. George laughed
and Mr.. Selden said he was doing well,
and was one of the finest young men IN
| Boston"
During the whole of Georges stay at
Mount Holyoke Rose managed to keep
him at her side, entertaining him occa-
sionally with unkind remarks concerning
Mary, who, she said, was undoubtedly
feigning her sickness so as not to appear
in her classes where she knew she could
do herself no credit; but, said she, as
soon as the examination is over she IL get
we'll fast enough and bother us with her
company at Chicopee.
In this Rose was mistaken, for when
the exercises closed Mary was still too III
1 to ride, and it was decided that she
should remain few days until MIS- Ma
son could come for her. With many tears
Ida and Jenny bade their young friend
good-by, but Rose, when asked to go up
and see her, turned away disdalntully'
amusing herself during their absence by
talking and laughing with George More
land.
The room in which Mary lay command
ed a view of the yard and gateway; and
after Aunt Martha, Ida and Jenny had
left she arose, and stealing to the win
dow. looked out upon the company as
they departed She could readily divine
which was George Moreland, for Rose
Tincoln's shawl and satchel were thrown
over his arm, while Rose herself walked
close to his elbow, apparently engrosslns
his whole attention. Once he turned
around. but fearful of being observed
Mary drew back behind the window cur
tain, and thus lost Il view of his face.
CTo be continued)
v,,r,s az the Railroads.