Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-09-27
CHAPTER Xxx.


With tbe crash and swing of popular
march in the air, and the rustic Of silk
gowns along the porches, and the
snatches of light conversation as people
nassed. and the gay laughter all about
her Fairfax Tazewel leaned back in the
shadow, and her foot danced in unison
with the band, and her eyes sparkled. She
was thoroughly alive now. Her nature
needed this atmosphere of life, gayety
and music.
"Why, Mr.. Maude!' she cried, as a
straight. broad -shouldered man in even
ing dress came towards her with the Gag
erness with which one greets a familiar
face in strange place. Il knew you
were coming, but I've been sort of look
ing for you in riding breeches and Nor
folk jacket"
ooh, nor he said seriously. Il can't
wear 'em here-~wish | could. I've been
so long out Of this thing" glancing down
at his coat, that ! feel funny in 1t. Ana
| think I've gained n couple of inches
girth down in Virginia. Aunt Mandys
good cook"
"You haven't grown too heavy for
Buckingham, have you? I'm counting on
winning my winters supply Of gloves on
you"
~ had no idea so much depended on
me- Nv brothers sent over quite bit
to bet on the race, too. I'm sorry he
couldn't be over, but he's worse again.
You're not going away, are you" as
Fairfax rose.
eyes; I've a letter to write; then III
be back again"
The letter was to Hugh. In it Fair
fax said
at is fcarfully humiliating to tell you
this, but | am always truthful, you know.
I did care for you a lot. | do still, but
not in the way | did. / want to be hon
est with you, Hugh. Mine, ] fear, IS
shallow nature that Graves excitement.
Mine is not the philosophic nature to
which external things do not matter. l
like music, laughter, gayety and life. 1his
| is n confession Were | free to-day,
don't think should so back to Virginia
My greatest fear is that ! have ruinet
your life. / do not deserve your forgive
ness. l despise myself, but see myself
as am. You must have known me bet
ter than | did myself that wild night on
the wharf. Good by"
After Mrs. Tazewel left him, Maude
strolcd about the hotel, enjoying the
lights and hustle and music, and the ell
| bowling of Il crowd again, and the luxury
| of entire idlcness. He amused himself
with studying the faces as the throng
passed and repasscd along the lighted cor
ridor. Among them he recognized Mr.
| Daingcrfcld, whom he had met once, and
who was to ride against him in the stee-
| plechasc. He looked him over critically.
Looks SOFT" he murmurcd-"too fat
After while he caught sight of Fair
fax again, and hurried to her. You
know Algie Russell up here, don't you"
he said.
ayes, met him several days ago"
"Keeps asking me if haven't married
an Indian squaw yet. He seems to think
we're quite out OF civilization down in
| Virginia. There he's coming now. This
| is the kind of Indian we have in Nir-
gnia," he said, turning to Russell.
"Thcn / don't blame YOU for becoming
so good a Virginian,' Russell said, gal
| lanty.
Another man came up and carried off
Mrs Tazcwcll to dance, and the two Eng
| lshmen looked after her with admiring
eyes.
isn't she a rippcrw exclaimed Rus
sell. enthusiastically II suppose you're
in love with herW
"My dear boy, ] never spoke with her
but twice before to-night-though I'll adj
nit thought I'd not better risk it again"
Go be continucdJ