Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-10-25

herself Of .ner duties: "Here I am stand
in like q niger at a circus turnoat, an
likely you ain had nuthin' to eat"
She turned and was starting for the
kitchen, but Hugh called her rack
where's Maude?" he asked.
'sMr. Maudew she cried. "He ain been
gone two hours. He ct his dinner and
was writin' thar when a little yellow boy
came from Eastover with a paper and
he give it to him, an he mighty near up
set the table, he jump up so quick. Help
me pack, Aunt Mandy says he, an he
Jess piles things into his trunk, lookin'
at his watch every minute; an he called
Alfred and says, Here, take this yere
box to the station, an il you gifts it thar
befo' the train starts I'll gave you i've
dollar bill. Hustle nowi' Vas, SIR says
Alfred, and he did hustle. He driv Jim
mule, an they went out Of the yard at
run. Mr.. Soames driv Mr.. Maude, and
he amt got back yit. I dunno when
Mr.. Maude'll get back; he didn't cay.
Oh, 1 forgot; Mr.. Soames says he ain
Mr.. Maude now, he's Lord Somethin'-
Chestnut, think. Lemme go and see if
your rooms ready" and out she went.
Hugh followed her into the hall. "Nev-
er mind fixing up room for me. I'm go
ing up river, and don't expect to be back
tonight. What boy is there here"'
"a yellow boy, name Nim-you know
Nimrod Flick Grey 2there he now by the
rack"
ooh, MIMI Darlington called.
MIN came forward, beaming at his re-
turn.
"What horses have you got in the sta
ble?"
'sThere's two hunters Mr.. Maude told
me to turn out in the pasture, just as he
driv out'n the yard, and there's Buck
hams"
"Put Maude's saddle on Buckingham
for me- will you? Tell Soames / took
him, when he comes back. And ride this
horse of Terry's in to Eastover for rae"
The horse was brought out, Hugh
mounted him and gave(him the signal to
start with his knees. Then he refined him
in.
''Nimv'
"YaSr."
$50 into Mr.. Maude's room and bring
me that pair Of spurs lying on the hearth"
Aunt Mandy stood watching Hugh from
the porch, while MIN buckled on the
spurs. cain you feared she done fo'git
you?" she asked, jocularly.
"Aunt Mandy" Hugh said, earnestly,
don't you say word to me. I'm so
scared now just can sit on my horse"
The shadows were deep in the valleys,
the blue tint had faded from the noun
tains, as Hugh Darlington urged his
horse up the quilted house road where
the faint afterglow lighted up the yellow
stucco house of the Tazewell plantation.
The veranda was tenantless, within there
was no stir except vague clatter Of
dishes and cutlery in the direction Of the
house kitchen.
Upon a rustic rocker, however, was an
armful of ripe roses, freshly cut, hurried
~ scattered. Their rich scent and
surmise as to whose the hand that had
just thrown them there brought a warm
tint to the returned soldiers bronzed
cheek. Darlington turned instinctively
and looked across the porch lawn, then
down the long reach that was almost a
path, lined head-high on either side with
the red-freighted rose bushes. The f1ut-
ter of moving form fixed his glance. He
followed it's movements-the frequent
ships of shears, the dropping curve of
the severed flower to basket. the tall,
trim figure came erect electrically. Nam
ME turned as he came upon her so sud-
denly that, startled, she dropped the
basket. The hot blood mounted to Ter
cheeks. She looked waveringly away in
to the gathering twilight as he put out
both his hands, but met their clasp, then
his glance again, and her eyes were full
of tears.
Mamie" he said, so gravely for him
that she wondered, cit would have been
the greatest victory Of my selfish life to
have remained away, butt could not do
it. I could do it still less when I~learned
a few hours since who saved me from
becoming a homeless man. When I have
seen your brother and Cancelled that OBJ
legation, perhaps I can thank you-with-
-without-Nannie! love you-love
you as I did when you misunderstood
and discouraged me that day we last
met"
Hugh's mind had become a confusion
of thoughts and impulses, but the truth
had been forced from him. She was
trembling all over, and her eyes were
downcast now. But she did not speak
until, striving hard to steady voice and
frame, almost unconsciously her hand
rested on his arm nearest to her--and
there remained.
Then she lifted her glance There was
light enough to read his face, and his
clear, anxious eyes, and she saw no I'M
truth there now. She saw, though, grim
wrinkles that disguised past suffering, and
something impalpable, yet appar-
ent-an expression that one might wear
who had just felt roll from his shoulders
the weight Of years lost and mistaken.
Then she took his hands again, and spoke
bravely:
Hugh" she said, softly but firmly, II
once told you that you were the best
friend l ever had, and hated myself later
for the cruel things 1 said to you. But
didn't know-thenv'
There was a touch of usefulness in the