Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-02-22


the whole structure"
He spoke in a rapid, repressed tone.
THAT is a cruel view! Why should a
whole beautiful edifice. be condemned
because of one small weakness?"
Hates eyes flashed, and she held her
self proudly erect.
I'VE judge a bridge by it's weakest
point. Its abutments may be solid and
massive, but flaw in the construction
renders it unsafe-and it stands con-
demned"
He was very pale, and there was q
peculiar light in his eyes. His words
held subtle meaning, which seemed to
anger Kate.
you are hard and unjust" she said,
and there was sound Of tears in her
voice which she was too proud to allow
to the surface.
'Harshness is not always cruelty
Some things require it," he said in the
same rapid, repressed tone, and turning
on his heel walked quickly to the lower
end of the hall, where he disappeared
in the library.
80 thatsis young Austen, of whom I
have heard so much!' exclaimed Amy,
as soon as the door had closed upon
him. well, l can't say much for his
manners! He never even saw me. [
have often heard my uncle speak Of
him. 1t seems he has risen to such
prominence in the architectural world
within the past year that great things
are expected of him in the future. [
wasn't aware you knew this wonder,
Kate"
Yes, l have known him a couple of
months. He has been doing some work
for papa, and spends one or two even
ings here every week going over drafts
and plans. l have been quite interested
in the work. You know 1 always try
to keep abreast of everything in which
papa is engaged"
When the outer door closed upon her
friend Kate went back into the draw
ing-room, and dropping into an easy
chair before the open CRATE stared with
unseeing eyes at the glowing Goals, her
hands clasped tightly in her lap, and
quicker of pain between her drawn
brOws.
Hugh Austen's words were ringing
in her ears and pounding on her brain:
GA single flaw in the construction con-
dennis the whole structure" Her heart
was throbbing heavily-each beat q
stab-and through 1t all she saw pref
ty smiling face in q down town store
a happy, innocent face, whose posses
sor was Hugh AuSten's aftianced wife.
She had known of his engagement
from the first-he himself had mention
ed it early in their acquaintance-bu
it had never seemed a vital thing to
her until that morning. She was doing
some shopping, and while waiting for
her change her attention was drawn to
a sweet-faced girl by overhearing one
clerk remark to another:
Eyes, Maggie does look happy. She's
a lucky girl! You know she's engaged
to Hugh Austen, the architect. He's
one of Gods noblemen; there isn't a
| better man in the city. believe they're
to be married some time this winter
Zone of Gods noblemen!' Kate re-
peated the words softly to herself, then
added in whisper, burying her burn
ing face in her hands, And my king."
No word of love had ever passed be-
tween them, out eyes have way of
betraying secrets sometimes. She knew
his heart was hers even though his
word was pledged to anOther-and she
eXulted in the possession.
He was so different from the men she
met in society that he interested her
from the first. He was quiet, with that
reserve which betokens strength OF
character as we'll as strength of will.
| She remembered the day she first met
| him. He was in the library when she
went in to get book, and her father in
| troduced him. He acknowledged the
| introduction by a curt little bow, hard
! ly giving her a glance, and continued
| the discussion with Mr.. Gordon as if
| she had not been present. She felt
piqued and snubbed-a novel sensation
| for the heiress-and she determined to
| show this rude young man that she was
not altogether devoid of intelligence.
Kate was an only child the idol of
and comrade-his companion in the
true sense Of the word. She possessed
good judgment, and had always taken
| live interest in his affairs. He often
said she had a better head for business
| than half the men he met.
Determining to understand the sub
iect thoroughly, she hunted up all the
books in the house treating on archi-
lecture, and spent her spare time in
studying and making notes.
When Mr. Austen came again she had
| the satisfaction of seeing a look Of sur
prise creep into his eyes as she occa-
siona1ly made an apt suggestion.
He turned and looked at her several
times during the evening, when some
unusually bright remark of hers arrested
| his attention-a remark showing clear,
and intelligent understanding of the
question under discussion. The few