Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-07-12
CHAPTER ".

the west, ablaze in golden light. Inc
shadows were deep in the valleys, and
the mountains had taken on the blue
tint which gave the range its name. "A
hundred yards to his right and higher,
the afterglow had lighted up with Its
radiance the yellow stucco house, and
the glass in the windows shOne with re-
Elected brightness.
Hugh recalled his fathers stories Of
the days when this was the gayest house
in the county, and the stables were filled
with the horses of guests from miles
around, and music and laughter and the
rustic of silk gave life to the halls and to
the high rooms.
A tall girl appeared at the door in an
swer to his knock. The fading sky
brought out her regular features against
the somber background Of the hall, and
gave her pale skin a warm tint.
''Mr. Carrington?" she asked. Come
in, sir. I will send a servant to look
after your horse"
The wide hall was quite dark, and he
followed her dim shape into the parlor'
II would take you up to father at once,
but I have something | want to say be-
fore l do. You don't mind, do you"
Certainly not" He drew a chair for
her to the hearth, where the fire smoked
feebly. "One feels lost in this great
ROOM" Darlington said, glancing around
at the quilting shadows, withdrawing into
the corners before the Pickering up of
the fire.
Yes, this is the kind of room that l
always felt ogres must live in. Father IS
not well,' she said, after a minute,
though 1 don't think he is as sick as he
imagnes He heard from one Of the ser
wants that you were at your aunts-
he had intended sending to you at Deer
Hill. Mr.. Darlington, [ must speak
frankly to you, little as 1 know you, and
much against my will. 1t is hard for me,
harder perhaps than you imagine, to feel
that you are going to learn things the
knowledge of which should be kept in
the family. l have been in secret rebel
lion all day We. have kept our affairs
to ourselves always, and now But
father wishes it, and [ give in"
81 am kind of a cousin, am n0t!'
Darlington said. "Kinship is never too
remote to count in Virginia. Miss Taze-
well, l appreciate your feelings; but l
ain not so young that the possession of
a secret will make me long for conf
dant; [ am safe as church"
IT'S largely about my uncle, Gen.
Tazewell; and 1 thought you mightn't
like" She broke off, her face flush
=. ing. at may seem strange for me to
talk to you in this way; but there's only
father and me, and he lives too much
out of the world to appreciate that
that-there may be reasons" She
lravely tried again to make her way out
of the tangle of words that would not
conceal her thoughts. 81 know-I have
heard was afraid"
Carrington's breath had almost been
taken away at first. Miss TaZeWellS
hopeless embarrassment helped him a
little
Because of my friendship with Mrs.
Tazewell?" he said, steadily. 81 will be
honest with you, Miss Tazewell. Your
aunt is neghbor of mine. l am. in a
way, very fond of her. | go there
great deal-all the time. in fact. Pro
pinquity and similar tastes have made
us intimate. Neither she nor l are very
4 catholic in our likings, and this has made
our friendship more marked than it 9TH
erwise would be. l can assure you, how
ever, that my intimacy with her will
have no bearing ON any confidence your
father may repose in me. And now,
Mother Superior, am | shrivenW
A CLEAN of anger showed for a mo-
ment in Miss Tazewelps brown eyes at
the familiarity of the last sentence. She
took up the lamp. Il will take you to
fathers room. Let me take the lamp,
please"
He followed her up the wide flight of
steps and down a passage to a door,
where she knocked softly. A harsh voice
called, Come in; but don't LET one of
those COMPOUNDED draughts in, too" From
the dim shadows Of the bed the sick
mans eyes shone Firelight and lamp
did not illumine the big chamber. Par
f. don me, Mamie, l thought it was Il SER
want. All! Mr.. Darlington, l am glad
to see you. Mamie, see that his room is
got ready" His daughter went out"
Darlington propped Major Tazewell up
with pillows. He long remembered the
strange scene, the vast room with its
deep Shadows retreating and advancing
as the logs alternately blazed and smol-
dered, the gaunt face of the old man in
the bed, his eyes glowing under the rag
ged white browS. On the wall near the
bed there was a painting. of some merit,
of a young girl III a low-necked short
walSted frock, leaning on a harp. The
clear features and the frank expression
were the same as those of Miss Taze-
we'll. But the face in the picture had
more warmth and was more beautiful
+, than that Of the girl.
Il should not have thus far incon-
yeuienced YOU" the major feebly said,
closing his eyes, "if l had not been in
great trouble Your father was my best
friend | am thankful he was spared
what I have suffered. l am an old man.
s l have lived beyond the allotted time.
This may be my last Illness" He raised
himself on his elbow. Il have fought
the good fight. l have run my race"
He sank back on the pillows and closed
his eyes with fatigue
Il won't be any more tedious than
can help" he went on, as Hugh took his
seat by the fire. You know my son,
think. He is a paymaster in the army