Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-09
"To his wife. | suppose"


he, Darlington, was willing General
Tazewell should buy up his debts, hoping
by-and-by to marry his creditor in the
widow. But it was Henry the lawyer
talking, and not Henry his loquacious in
structor in poker.
"Well, go ahead" Hugh said; "1et him
sweat; and if he can't stand the hot
grease, he can keep out of the kitchen.
I've been the generals creditor; It's Ills
turn, in all fairness"
A few days later notice was served on
Darlington that the debts had been as
signed, and with it came a courteous note
from the general saying that he had late
Iy heard of Mr.. Carrington's embarrass-
ment, and FASTENED to relieve the tenn
porary pressure. The writer professed
great sympathy and refused all thanks.
A daily note came from Mrs. Tazewell.
but nothing had happened since Friday.
Her husband favored her with his So
ciety constantly, which she must bear
patiently while he stayed.
With his plantation rented to Maude,
Darlington soon tired of idleness at
home, and spent the greater part of his
time in town, riding in after breakfast,
and returning at the time when the En-
glishman had tea. After tea they eXer-
cised such Of the hunters as Maude
thought were short of work. 1t was a
mystery to Hugh how his tenant could
ride one horse after another all day, and
every day, without let-up. No negro on
the place worked harder, but he was al
ways clean and well-groomed. His
breeches and boots fitted to a nicely, his
neckcIoth was neatly tied, and his stir
rups and bits were bright. Once week,
on an average, he had fall, but his tenn
per was undisturbed. Whom did he visit?
What fun did he have? Darlington
questioned him.
"Fun?" laughed the Englishman. Ten
good hunters pining for a gallop are fun
enough. They give me all the amuse-
ment [ want, | assure you. Oh, it's a
bore, now, sometimes; but during the
fall, in the hunting season, it's quite
good enough. Besides, man must work
for his bread"
"But in England?" persisted Hugh.
Surely, this is a tame life for you"
ooh, at home! I can't afford to live
there, you know After all, if my broth
err had ten good hunters in his stable and
could ride them, he wouldn't ask for
more. Poor fellow, he isn't as we'll off
as 1 am; laid up with a sort of spinal
trouble. Can't even ride out on his
farms. Has to go in a pony carriage,
with pillows and things"
'Is your brother a farmer?" Hugh
asked.
Eyes, in a way. He has the home
farm. He's the Earl of Chiswick, and
precious hard up, l can tell you. l had
a letter from him yesterday; he'd give
up the whole show and rough it like me,
if he had my health"
''Your brother an earl?' Hugh said
in astonishment
Eyes, why not? Not that it's much
fun unless ones rich. SO much style to
keep up. One doesn't like to sit in the
House Of Lords in a ragged coat with
pocket full of duns.'
This was the beginning of a genuine
friendship between them and of a more
constant companionship. One evening
they were riding towards home after a
two days trip buying horses. Their way
lay along the river. The fields were
bright with the ripening grain, and the
corn showed its green stalks in the bot
toms.
for the night" Hugh suggested.
81 don't mind. Do you know any one
along here? 1 haven't seen a house for
miles"
"Oh, I know everybody" Hugh said.
'Let me think-1 haven't been on this
road for ages" He checked his horse
and pointed to little gift of smoke ahead
and to the right. UNLESS I'm very much
where there"
"Ahr' Maude said; che has a pretty
daughter, hasn't he? I met her at your
cousins wedding. Lonesome life for her,
[ should think"
Yes, it is; though people didn't seem
to mind it before the war. / suppose
they entertained more. l wonder what
is to become of all these big places"
"Cut up and divided out, 1 SUPPOSE"
Maude answered, cheerfully There's
living for a dozen families ON one of
them
I'D hate to live to see it," Hugh re-
piled, gloomily.
why? The owners haven't capital
enough to work them; nine-tenths is
waste land on which they pay taxes
Wouldn't you hate to see your faith
er's estate sold?; Darlington asked.
"Oh, yes; but that seems different
somehow. Besides we can't sell on ac-
count of the entaiI-wish we could" he
said, with sudden contradiction: 'agri-
culture has gone out at home; and our
place sold, we could all live oh, I'm not
sentimental. I'm going home after bit.
F'rank-that's my brother, you know
is in a bad way. and l may step in any
day. He is unmarried, so it behooyes
me to look about. l wouldn't have the
place go to the Devonshire Maudes for
anything"
How do yC'r mean, look about ?"
'Why, / II marry, you know, IL the
place comes to me- You see, may look
to make a good match. Plenty of per-
sons outside our class in England have
money which they are willing to invest
IN title-and it's lucky they are''
CHAPTER XI.