Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-04-25
90
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued.)


"How the bitter consequences of his
-wrong-doing have followed him! And
now, in all probability, he must die; yet,
after ALL" thought this loyal heart, sit
cannot be so very hard to die for her.
The noiseless entrance of his pleasant
faced mother made him look up. Taking
ia seat by the bed, she quietly dismissed
Them from the room.
Il will watch by him myself" she said,
Kindly. and the fewer i'll the room the
better, you know. Both of you go and
lTest yourselves"
They both withdrew with lingering
jKteps, and eyes that seemed 10th TO quit
THAT pale sleeper. but sat down i'll the
iquiet little parlor to talk it all over.
"Oh, brother! what did Mrs. Conway
say when you told her"
Went off into strong Mysteries. l sent
Ithe doctor out there as l rode in town.
tShe may thank herself for the most Of
pt," he answered, half bitterly. why
ibid she tempt his weak mind with her
Fwealth and pride? She knew better than
lany one else how wavering 4 will was
Ibis"
But, brother, he ought to have had
more manliness. l wonder if Mrs. Wi
hRns kn0ws-how she feels about it? Do
Gol know, brother Willie, l would give
bnuch to see this wonderful woman whose
Beauty has only been for banc. What is
Hhe Iike?"
Like nothing you ever saw, little
H.ulU-like some fair saint. or angel"
The passion in his heart broke through
his words. A faint red flushed his brown
check, and his eyes dropped as his sister
Booked up with soft. astonished gaze.
Why, brother, did you love her, too?"
That is the first time you have accus-
jed me of loving any one but yourself,
bttie sister," he answered, lightly, parry
ling the question.
We'll, tell me this, brother. Did you
leyer so to see her at aIl?'
Il went there sometimes-not often"
llis glance falling with unconscious ma
thos on the empty sleeve that lay be-
tween him and any aspiration toward
woman's love. II liked her very much iu-
Need. She was very sweet and attrac-
rive, very obliging always. She liked me
In iittle suppose, as a mere friend. |
neVer presumed to ask for a deeper re-
yard. l knew she loved Bruce. | felt.
Lulu, it seemed to me then, in her dark
days, every pang that struck home to
that trusting and deceived young heart
4 felt sorry for her. and admired her for
ahe brave yet wOmanly strength that car
Sjed her through that bitter ordeal. /
rejoiced with her when she married a
inetter man than Bruce and seemed to
have forgotten the past"
The tender brown eyes looked Gravely
;at him as he spoke. reading his heart
with woman's quick intuition. She put
Doth arms about his neck and touched
BIER lips to the noble brow over which
the brown curls fell so carelessly. The
mute Carcss told him that she understood
and sympathized in his unspoken grief.
rrhc mans heart in him could not bear it.
lie rose putting her kindly and gently
aside.
! Lulu, she has a noble husband;
handsome, generous fellow, a man among
ueu,' but he is married almost as much
10y his unreasoniug jealousy as is Bruce
Ihy his unstable character. | pity her.
She is worthy of confidence and all re-
t*pcct 1t is an honor to any man to
Ntavc loved her even though hopelessIy."
= And SeQator Winans has left her,
4hcy shy, Brother Willie? Why don't
you see him. brother. and talk with him,
and try to make him look at things fair
by? 1t seems pity she should suffer SO,
through no fault of hers. too. My heart
aches for her in her loneliness"
/ lie did not answer He was walking
slowly up and down the floor, pausing
row and then TO look out of the window
which overlooked the Elizabeth river and
size wharves crowded with the shipping
of all 0atioualities, His sister rose and
NO nj In,. -, III
of sympathy for the four people whose
ijfepaths crossed each other so strange
by and sadly. She shuddercd and hoped
she would never love. OF the three men
who each loved Grace Winans in his own
fashion, she wondered which was the
most unhappy; the husband who had
stained his hands in human blood for his
selfish passion Bruce Conway. who was
dying for her. or her brother, whose heart
rV1ss' silently breaking for her.
VA low tinklc of the doorbell sounded,
and he answered the summons himself.
It was a messenger from Mrs. Conway
to inquire c6uccrning her nephew. He
sent back message that he still lay
sleeping quietly For the rest of the day
she house was besieged with callers and
fuQuirers from all parts of the city.
- In the midst Of it all, in his deep grief
aud anSiefy for his friends life, in his
pity aud sympathy for the exiled duelist,
"a fair face brooded over all his thoughts,
"a psns for n wonan's suffering struck
,eold!y to his heart. To know that she
TWAS mourning alone bowed to earth in
hor uumerited sorrow and shame, was the
height and depth of bitterness to the
Imam who loved her tenderly and purely
as he did his own little sister
: And the spring day wore to its close.
snd the silence of the baimy spring night.
with its wandering breeze OF violets, its
mysterious stars. fell over all things.
At ten o'clock the captain admitted
John. Mrs. Conways servant. who had
come to seek fresh tidiugs for his mis-
TresS His honest black face looked up
I'm vague. .awe-struck grief at the cap
tain's mourpful features.
"Oh, snarse cap'enr' he pleaded. lem
sse see him, If You please. sir. once more
before he dies!''