Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-06-13
CHAPTER XVII.

unbroken silence in the dingy old law
Office Of Mr.. Worthington, where Henry
Lincoln and William Bender still re-
mained, the one as a practicing lawyer
and junior partner of the firm, and the
other as a student still, for he had not
yet dared to offer himself for eXamina-
ton. Study was something which Henry
particularly disliked; and as his mother
had trained him with the idea that labor
for him was wholly unnecessary, he had
never bestowed a thought on the future,
or made an eXertion of any kind. Now,
however, different phase Of affairs was
appearing. His fathers fortune was
threatened with ruin; and he sat in the
office with his heels upon the window sill,
debating the all-impOrtant question
whether it were better to marry Ella
Campbell for the money which would
save him from poverty, or to rouse HIM
self to action for the sake of Mary How
ard, whom he really fancied he loved.
Frequently since the party had he met
her, each time becoming more and more
convinced of her superiority over the 9TH
er young ladies of her acquaintance. He
was undoubtedly greatly assisted in this
decision by the manner with which she
was received by the fashionables of Bos-
Ton; but, aside from that, as far as he
was capable of doing so, he liked her,
and was now making up his mind wheth-
er to tell her so or not.
At last breaking the silence, he exclaim-
ed: "Hang me, if ] don't believe she's be-
witched me, or else I'm in love. Bender,
how does a chap feel when he's in love?
Every foolish, judging from yourself, F"
returned William, and Henry replied:
II hope you mean nothing personal, for
I'm bound to ayenge my honor, and
'twould be deuced scrape for you and
me to fight about your sister, as you call
her, for it's she who has inspired me, Or
made a fool of me, one or the other"
you've changed your mind, haven t
your asked William, little sarcastical-
".
Hanged if I have!' said Henry. 81
was interested in her years ago, when
she was the ugliest little vixen a man
ever looked upon, and that's why I leased
her sol don't believe she's handsome
now, but she's something, and that some
thing has raised the mischief with me.
Come Bender, you are better acquainted
with her than 1 am, so tell me honestly
II you think I'd better marry her"
"You have my permission, sir, to propose
as soon as you please. | rather wish you
would then taking his hat he left the
Office while Henry continued his solilo-
guy as follows:
81 wonder what the old folks would
say to a penniIess bride Wouldn't moth
er and Rose raise a row? I'd soon quiet
the old woman, though, by threatening to
tell that she was once factory girl. But
If dad smashes up I'll have to work, for
haven't brains enough to earn my living
by wit. l guess on the whole I'll go and
call on Ella; she's handsome, and besides
that has the rhino, too; but how shallow!'
and the young man broke the blade of his
knife as he stuck it into the hardwood
table by way of emphasizing his last
words.
Ella CHANGED to be out, and as Henry
was returning he overlook Ida Selden
and Mary Howard, who were taking
their accustomed walk. Since her CONVEX
sation with William a weight seemed
lifted from Mary's spirits, AMI she now
was happier far than she ever remem-
bered Of having been before. Mary
could not find it in her heart to be I'M
courteous to Henry, and her manner to-
ward him that morning was so kind and
affable that it completely upset him; and
when he parted with her at Mr.. Selden's
gate his mind was quite made up to
offer her his heart ana hand.
81 shall have to work." thought he,
"but for her sake I'll do anything"
An hour later he sat down and wrote
to Mary on paper what he Obuld not
tell her face to face. Had there been
a lingering doubt OF her acceptance, he
would undoubtedly have wasted at least
dozen sheets of the tiny gilt-edged pa
per, but rs it was one would suffice, for
she would not scrutinize his handwriting
she would not CONT the blots, or mark
the omission of punctuating pauses. An
ardent declaration of love was written,
sealed and directed
Restless and unquiet, he sat down to
await his answer. 1t came at last-his
rejection, yet couched in language so kind
and conciliatory that he could not feel
angry. Twice-three times-he read it
over, hoping to find some intimation that
possibly she might relent; but no, it was
firm and decided, and while she thanked
him for the honor he conferred upon her.
she respectfully declined accepting it, as
surfing him that his secret should be kept
inviolate.
There's some comfort in that"
thought he, for l wouldn't like to have
it known that | have been refused by a
poor. unknown GIRL" and then, as the con-
yiction came over him that she would
never be his, he laid his head upon the
table and wept such tears as a spoilt
child might weep when refused a toy too
costly and delicate to be trusted in its
rude grasp.
Ere long there was a knock at the
door and hastily wiping away all traces
of his emotion, Henry admitted his faith
er, who had come to talk Of their future
prospects, which were even worse than
he had feared. But he did not reproach
his hayward son, nor hint that his reck-