Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-23
CHAPTER xII.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER AI1.-(Contlnueu'l
A few days later Maude found Hughs
horse tied to the rack and that gentle
man stretched out in a chair on the porch,
hat over eyes, placidly smoking.
Amy mail" Hugh called.
"Yes," Maude answered; "and l found
a letter in my cover coat pocket yester-
day. Haven't an idea how long it's been
there. I got caught in a rain the other
day, and it's a pretty mess"
Mighty careless Of you to get my
duns wet" Hugh answered, lazily. 1.-The
amount due is probably so blurred that
/ can't read 1t. Let's have it."
The handwriting gave him a start, and
he glanced quickly at Maude, for the
Setter was not stamped; but the English
man had evidently been an innocent mail
carrier. The note was scrubbed in pencil,
and said:
THE general is going to Boston soon.
I am sure he will devise some way to
Jake me with him. He speaks at How
ardsyille next Thursday afternoon. Come
at four, on foot"
It was Thursday noon now. Why
eouldn't Maude have kept the letter till
might? Hugh felt that Fate was against
aim. He had been counting the smiles OF
a less beautiful woman, the last few
days, with almost the feeling Of doing
something especially meritorious--for
thus conveniently does mans conscience
Endorse his desires-and to Mamie Taze-
we'll his mind turned even with the let
ter in his hand. He had been making
love, though without progress. The cas-
tle had showed no signs of yielding to
his parade of assault-doubtful even was
the result of a long siege. Had he lost
interest in what he had won without
effort? Did he long only for the unat-
aainable? No; in soma unexplained way,
2he girl had a charm for him that the
woman lacked, in spite Of her greater
beauty.
Still he did as he was hidden, praying
for his senses to overpower him, that
Fairfax might not feel any suspicion he
was not meeting her on her side the half
way post A servant opened the door
for him. and Fairfax's greeting was as
conventional as the most casual acquaint-
ance would have merited.
You overdo it, Fair" he said, as the
servants retreating steps sounded in
the hall, and she grasped his hand Gag
erly.
L
eyes. Il care for nothing, now you are
come. l could not write you-I tried
awice l was desperate, and took the
only chance that offered. Did the stupid
young Englshman suspectY
Not he. You ought, though, to have
pasted on an old stamp"
Tell me what you have been doing,
these long two weeks" she said, draw
4ng her chair towards him.
Hugh drew the chair still closer, and
Dent over and kissed the wavy hair. With
abe perfume Of that kiss on his lips he
was hers again, body and soul, and he
was not sorry. If only hc lid be sure
it would always be so.
Your chains do not gall, DEAR he
said. your life is not insupportable.
No, Fair, please don't put your face so
near mine; l know | shall kiss 1t, and
that will be the end Of my hOmily. After
all, this condition Of things cannot last
forever, and"
But it may outlast u.s." she broke in.
Not in all human probability. Your
husband is old, and may some day be
gathered to his fathers. What you said
not so very long ago still! rings in my
ears: L will not be the first to dishonor
a proud name. There is something bet
aer and more worthy than love-"
perhaps I was mistaken" she said,
softly.
But with many words Darlington
preached upon the text, feeling a thrill
OF yirtuous self-abnegation with every
sentence; and Fairfax listened with a
shade Of dissatisfaction in her face. Per
maps she was not more ready to give up
her comfortable life and to brave So
ciety's ban than he, but his flow Of
phrases came too spontaneously; was it
effort enough on his part to give up the
dream?
"There is no need of such an array of
logic Of course, 1 know all that" she
said, somewhat impatiently. II left it
all for you to decide. l have no interest
IN the line of thought that led up to your
decision"
Darlington felt sudden check to his
comfortable line of reasoning. You don't
ahink I" he began, his conscience
stirring uneasily
She interrupted: Il don't think any
thing. l suppose it is best 1t certainly
Is worldly wise. One sees you in a new
light, Hugh"
She perceived at once that she was TAX
ing the wrong tone, and changed her
manner. Lying back in her chair, she
clasped her hands behind her head. st
Is such a relief to have it settled. We
will wait. You viii be my true knight
always, will you, Hugh?"
She leaned towards him, and he came
and kissed her hand fervently. and she
Tut her other hand on his hair.
May the rest of my life be bitter. IL /
fail you he said.
CHAPTER XIII
Gen. Tazewelfs period of auiescence
at home was brief. The State campaign
demanded his attention, and local poll
sicians hesieged his house Darlington