Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-03-14

dlonr care what happened. wa h.d
quarreled-or rather /, at lunch said
harsh things sa'1
my DEAR" ne interrupted ..tbero
were faults on both sides; they rem
dered life intolerable and love limos
sible, but
Hush! We rode out. you had the
SOULS and | steered; at least. I Law in
the stern and splashed the waves with
my hands-the hands you used to kiss
SO often"
She paused, and looked at the hands
-nrm, plump and white, and decked
with lovely rings of curious workman
ship. He, too, looked at them. and
sighed. She sighed.
But out we went Then the skies
became dark. the water darkened, too.
and grew rough, and you tried to turn;
we were far. far away from shore: you
must have been looking at me instead
OF the land, or you would have seen
that we were floating fast in a cur
rent. With an effort you brought the
boat round and pulled for safety. Oh!
you looked splendid. Your thin Jersey
showed the lines of your strong, sup
pie body, and the muscles of your
arms and chest rose superbly, and your
manly face, flushed and firm, fascinat-
ed me-"
The mFn smiled half scornfully.
"You pulled hard, and don't think
I was frightened. / didn't care what
happened. Then the rotten oar
cracked, and you bound it round with
your handkerchief; but it was still
weak, so you tore off long strip of
my petticoat to bind it with, and we
drifted, drifted out. When at last you
tried again, it snapped, and the blade
fell into the sea. Then you came to me,
in the stern, and took the tiller from
my hands. You put your arm round
my waist, and said, DO not be afraid,
dear wife!' l knew we were drifting
out to the open sea, storm and death,
and was aware that you knew it.
Don't be afraid, little wife you said,
and suddenly put your arms round my
neck"
81 remember"
Eyes, know; let me go on. You
brought my face to yours, and laid
your lips on mine Oh, that kiss
that kiss 1t still stings on my lips.
In it felt the depth of your love; 1
felt that I loved you-felt that we were
man and wife, and the only beings
alive on land and sea. That kiss is
what l regret-that kiss, the one mo-
ment of rapture in my life."
She paused.
II member"
'Why did that foolish steamer save
us? could have died there, happy in
your arms-quite happy"
Eyes, quite. To think that we quar-
relied within week-at least, did
and things went worse than ever after
ward! What are we women made Of?
The old song is wrong-we are made of
gall, and NORWOOD and marble. To
think that we are here, and that paper
lies there! You've acted very hand
somely, allowing me more than half
your income, and letting me keep the
fiat"
"Do you think could live in it after
you have gomez" he answered with
break in his voice. There's nothing
in it that does not speak of you-it's
graveyard of memories
She looked at him over the fan and
saw tears in his eyes. Then she rose
and walked across the room.
Herbert" she said, in timd voice,
after long pause, sit is o'clock. He
will be here in five short minutes to
see that gruesome deed executed"
The man bowed his head and hid his
face in his hands.
She took out her handkerchief-a
ridiculous bit of lawn and lace-and
touched her eyes.
Herbert, tomorrow is just year
after that day; the night train starts
at 8 o'clock. If we went to Etaples, we
might find that kiss again"
He jumped up, tears in his eyes and
a smile on his lips.
"You mean to say
He caught her in his arms and
pressed his lips long and passionately
on her mouth.
81 don't think we really need go to
Etaples,'' she said, with smile, after
long pause, "but it will be pleasant
little-honeymoon.
He rang the bell, told the servant to
tell Mr.. Hawkins that no one was at
home, and she babe the girl Pack her
things instantly. When the girl left
the room, they both took hold OF the
deed, and slowly, gravely tore it into
great many small pieces.
"It is a new way" he observed, "of
executing deeds of separation. the
Hearthstone.