Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-09-13
What is this around the edge %,

VuaL Is IuIS around the edgG?'
Louis interest was growing.
ga border Of scallops and eyelets.
The linen out here is to be fringed
when the dolly is done"
''Ah-ha! But why don't you pierce
these holes?"
"Oh, we never work eyelets open in
silk embroidery. We make them like
dots-so," and Agnes started to cover
one.
Louis, who had not the keenest Wis
ion, grew suddenly most near-sighted.
To witness the operation to his salts
faction it was necessary that he come
very close to Agnes. In raising her
head to exhibit her work with a com
placent "There!" agnes became con-
scious of Louis proximity.
Go away" she exclaimed, redden-
ing and pushing him from her 81
believe you're just pretending you
want to know
Another noon Louis observed: Its
a wonder that such little person as
you would deign to squander precious
moments on embroidery?''
Toward the end of the week, as the
piece of dainty needlework neared
completion, Louis became intrepid in
his protestations; Agnes, so insidious
are the advances of the experienced
little archer, less and less disdainful.
She grew to look even for Louis buoy
ant step and the CHEEKY whistle that
signaled his entrance. And not to
have him from day to day inspect the
progress that she made with her
handiwork would have been an over
sight which she, secretly aggrieved,
would have turned over and over in
her mind all the afternoon
The day on which the dolly was fin
ished Louis came to luncheon an hour
earlier than usual.
You're just in time" was Agnes
bright greeting.
Often now she anticipated Louis in
the way of salutation.
For what? To see the dolly fin
ished?" he asked, approaching with
alacrity to watch her dispose of the
thread of pale pink silk with which
Eyes. I've only the light tips of
these f1orets to make-then I'm done"
my! What memories of new-mown
hay your clover blossoms bring up!"
calculated Louis, who, in his youth,
had spent several years on a farm.
"And those whitish arcs in the leaves?
You have suggested them with the
fidelity of a botanist." Louis was
seated now, following intently the
motions of Agnes deft fingers.
The hand welding the needle was
small and supple, and to the ecstatic
gazer it appeared as soft as swans
down, and as white.
Agnes OWNED crisis. She was
loath to precipitate matters, so she
fingered over the finishing touches.
Finally, inspect the dolly as she
would, there was neither reason nor
material for further stitching. She
severed the last thread slowly, and
out the neatly worked square on the
table.
Louis, patient as fate, waited for
her to lay down the scissors, and then
possessed himself of her hand.
"Now, give me a little of your at
tention, please" he requested. DO
you really think that I've been taken
up all along with the dolly, or have
you thought correctly that it's the
girl who has interested me?"
Don't be silly, Louis!" Agnes re-
piled, nervously, trying to withdraw
her hand.
That's what you said six years
ago, when in the flush of your sue
cess as a school teacher you turned
not only from my devotion but from
the homage of other admirers!" Louis
replied vehemently. Il was diftident
enough then to be dashed by your cold
ness, but time has shown me the value
of insistence-and your worth, too my
teacher in all that is good! May |
not believe that you do not regard me
unfavorably?"
But it's all so sudden, Louis!"
Agnes was half won.
Am to be turned down for that
he responded spiritly. Let my offer
rather. be all the mt re nattering Tor
it's being unexpected. And sudden?'
he argued. Haven't we known each
other all our lives? Weren't we
reared in the same parish? It's only
for the last three years, since my
settling in the West, that we've been
separated. And my admlra-
ton for you has ever been an open
secret. Years ago, way back East,
Maria Watson and Belle Graham and
other girls that knew us, predicted in
variably, You'll marry Agnes yet!
But broken down as l am, what
helpmate would make for any man."
Agnes said dejectedly. I'm out here
at Eleanor's on sick leave, remem-
bert"
"Pshaw! merely a temporary pros
tration from overwork," Louis re-
piled sanguinely. GIVE up, for
while anyhow, those mind-torturing
studies of yours; imbibe with the
bracing air of these plains deep