Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-10-18
CHAPTER XIII.


q buggy drove up to the house yard Of
Mrs. Tazewelrs plantation, and Major
Bob, tall and gray-haired, descended, and,
walking slowly across the grass, leaning
On his cane, approached the steps. The
figure of woman in black dress came
out into the vine-covered entrance.
Major Bob took off his hat. MAY
come upp he asked.
Yes" Mrs. Tazewell answered, doubt
fully, small invitation in her voice.
The visitor came up the steps slowly,
helping himself with his cane.
What is the matter, Major Bob?" with
some sympathy in her tone. Il did not
know you were hurt"
cage, my dear Fair-I should say,
madam. Surely, a cane at my age needs
no excuse. 1 see you have changed the
yard gate" he said. 81 fumbled quite
time at the old place before 1 discovered
my mistake
THAT was changed long ago." she an
Swered. 81 had almost forgotten the
other one"
sit was the only one I knew. By the
way, have been to place this summer
that l have not seen for ten years-your
old home! 1t looks very must as it used
TO-"
You are mistaken; the old house has
roof now, and the plantation fence or
two"
''To the eye Of affection such unimpor-
tant changes are not discernible. To me
it Is only the charming old place where
I used to go counting, in the days when
my hair was brown and | walked without
a cane"
81 seem to remember your coming on
horseback"
sit is all the same. Oh, happy days
that are not! Mine eyes they were blind
ed, your words they were few'-but, in
justice to you, l will say they were to the
point and had a ring of fnahty to them"
Il liked you, however, very much bet
ter in those days than l ever have since"
SIS it my fault? My youthful charm,
TO which you refer, was like the bloom en-
fhe peach; it."
Mrs. Tazewell laughed. It was the
ScOrnful laugh of year before; it sound
ed the note of her old-time discomfort,
and she felt angry at the man who had
called it forth.
sit has been rubbed off by the rough
fingers Of the World-pinching to see if the
Mrs. Tazewell, please"
Pardon me-Mrs. TazeweIl l was
about to ask if a woman ought not to
look back on her first lover with feelings
of some tenderness and interest, even if
his loye-making was listened to with
scant attention at the time, and he was
refused with a suddenness that made his
hair stand on end and left a cowlick re-
fractory to this day? | admit that there
Aave been certain things in my behavior
since not altogether creditable. And on
one occasion [ cannot blame you for
saying that you wished never to see me
again. I have not the courage tonight,
you perceive to ask if you are glad to
see me. l came, hat in hand, prepared to
say howdy and goodnight in the same
breath. l even took the precaution Of
bringing a feed Of oats and light lunch
con in the back Of the buggy, so that my
horse and | might not have to travel back
that long eighteen miles hungry. You
were kinder than I hoped"
"Or than you deserve" she added.
Little did 1 think, though, in the
youthful days to which I refer, that the
lady of my heart was to be known to my
maturer years as Aunt Fair, or that she
could prefer the more substantial charms
of my respected uncle to those of his
nephew"
Major Tazewell," said Fairfax, "do-
you think for an instant that you were
ever the equal of your uncle in mind,
morals or manners? l would never have
married you, had you had all the wealth
of the world, or had you been the only
man in it. When you impute sordid mo-
tiyes to me in marrying Gen. Tazewell,
you are not only insulting, but are mis-
taken. When | married him | loved him
with my whole heart. He was to me the |
embodiment of patriotism, honor and
greatness. You may ask my pardon or
you may go"
Il do, l do" cried Tazewell, in a diff
derent voice. Pardon me, Fair; | will |
not offend again. l came to temper the |
of delivering to you a small |
check. Some stocks, in which your hus-
band and l were interested, suddenly |
rose. and l sold out in a hurry
Il suppose this is all right Mrs. Taze- |
well said, taking the check. Il am glad |
for Nannie's sake
Il wish l could participate in your joy
for Nannie's sake; but your congratula-
tions should rather fall on some long
though very persistent, credit
ors, who. in some mysterious manner,
found out had funds-how, l cannot I'M
derstand"
think it extremely poor taste to at
sempt to escape ones debts, to say moth
aug Of its dishonesty" Mrs Tazewell
said. coldly.
There have been others before me-"
g, ihere are black sheep in every fam
Mrs Darlington of Cartersbrook. you
~uoM' mas falrly impoverished herself
on, piacidly Nc went
~ Was my husband the creditor?o Mrs
TazevelI demanded, sharply
so the story goes Tazewell answer
ed 'Hark! you can hear the whistle Of
the Peninsula express. The wind n,rst
be in the northeast. AS 1 passed Daar
Hill there were lights in the fro,,4 ..-.N.