Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-16
CHAPTER XII

One afternoon of a lowering day, soon
afterwards, Fairfax started for an aim
less walk. The general saw her from
window. He had caught a vile cold a
few days before by addressing local
assembly at the court house, where he
had become very much heated, and then
driving home in the cool of the evening.
The wind blew gustily, and the blue
grass field was soft in places. The ex-
ertion of walking soon brought the color
to her face, and her strong physique ex-
ulted in it's vigorous vitality. Her ma
ture was too healthy to be morbid, and
she had never known nerves. She climb
ed afence without effort, and was then
in the "big pasture" q stretch Of blue
grass, broomsage, sassafras bushes and
upspringing locusts, some miles in length,
running back into the FLAT woods"
where lived a class totally distinct from
the families along the river. The soil
was very barren there, and the landscape
a monoton of white clay and scrub pines.
Its people had nothing in common with
the rich folks" of the river bottoms.
A few miles inland her face would be
unknown except by a chance blacksmith.
After an hours walking, she rounded
clump of trees in a hollow, and found
herself surrounded by pack Of yelping
beagles. A mans voice in the pines call
ed, Puppies! what are you doing? Come
awayw and Maude, in covert coat,
breeches, and field boots, came striding
up, swinging his whangee cane.
81 hope my puppies have not annoyed
you?" he said to Fairfax. Down! you
little rascals.'
Il am not afraid of dogs" she answer
ed.
80 many ladies in this country don't
seem to like them" he said. He was in
his usual infectious good humor, clean
and fresh-looking. 1t suddenly occurred
to Fairfax that he might be used to con-
vey a message to Hugh. He raised his
hat and was about to pass on, when
she turned and said, with more gracious
ness than she usually displayed
perhaps your walking has like des-
tination to mine?"
Mine has none except to be home at
teatime."
You might let me give you your tea
to-day"
Thank you very much, Mrs. Taze-
we'll. I'm sure I'll enjoy it much more
than [ should at home. I'm usually fore
ed to go back to Deer Hill to get any;
it doesn't seem to be a necessity with
YOU as it is for us. Be sure not to let
me walk you too fast"
Don't be afraid. | am not the typical
American. But for my skirts l need no
handicap. Is your farming going well,
Mr.. Maude|
"Oh, yes. l took on Carrington's over
seer, a model of exactness and economy;
a regular machine in jeans, you know"
"And is Mr.. Darlington still with you?
I haven't seen him lately"
Il left him at Major Tazewelrs three
days ago. I don't know where he is
now-still there, | fancy. He seemed
perfectly comfortable when l left, and
showed no signs of moving"
Possibly he is a beau of Miss Taze-
Wells" Fairfax suggested, lightly,
though anger at her lover famed in her
heart. Did he seem very devoted?"
Thoroughly" said Maude. Il left
them in the drawing room and went to
bed, feeling very much de trop." Sud
denly he remembered what he had heard
about Hugh and Mrs. Tazewell. Still.
you know, he is a Virginian," he went
on, trying to cover his blunder, land we
matter-of-fact English are poor judges
of such things. And girls out here are
queer. They are SO much freer than
girls at home. They say and DO what
they like, while with us there is no such
thing, until girl is married. And
married woman out here is just laid on
the shelf, as far as having attention
and that is concerned. Pardon me, l
forgot you are married"
We are not discussing me, please"
she said, frigidly, and Maude's sponta-
neity was checked. He felt her snub TO