Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-11-06
CHAPTER w.

CHAPTER ".
Beatrice sat at the piano and suffered
her fingers to glide over the ivory keys
as if In fanciful dream; expressing her
inward emotions in wild discords Or
plaintive harmonies. Count Bozell was
pleasantly affected by the noble profile
of her beautiful face, and he began to
study the outlines with the eye of con-
noisseur.
"You play divinely, Miss Albenson,
and the execution, dare say, comes
from the heart"
What maiden, at times, is not suscep-
tible to compliments? These few words
had their desired effect. Besides the
count was quite an accomplished must
clan. He had heard all tho worldre-
nowned violinists, pianists and court
singers, and his criticisms were usually
accepted as final.
"You love music, then?' she question
ed with vivacity.
"Passionately," he rejoined, quickly,
and, bending over the piano. he added,
as he fixed his eyes upon her: For hours
could 1 listen. Why did you not grant
me this great pleasure long ago.?
"My guardian hates music of any
kind"
"He ought to congratulate himself up
on possessing such a discreet daughter"
''You are mistaken. Mr.. Marsden is
not my father. And, rs to my discreet
ness, it is certainly not for you to say.
Moreover, think he has a perfect right
to command silence if he so desires"
''Of course, quite true, l will admit;
but It's not every one who would deny
himself music as you do; some would
show obstinacy."
"Why so? I can satisfy myself dur
ing his absence"
"And by so doing, you always retain
the good will of Mr.. Marsden. You act
nobly, wisely. You know, Miss Alben-
son, we all have our opinions, and l do
not think there is much love lost between
you, and Mr. Marden. Nor is this to be
wondered at when we consider that you
were his hated rivals daughter"
His rivals daughter? What do you
mean? How could Mr.. Marsden have a
rival?
'Listenw and with this word his vi
vacious face assumed a mysterious as
pect. "When your mother was about
your age, two youths asked for her hand !;
the one a poor artist, the other & pros
porous business man. Your mother ia
vored the first, Notwithstanding the lat
ter proffered a true love and a faithful
heart. For some years your mother suf
fered with patience the terrible fate of
poverty and its consequent miseries, but
was powerless to restore her husbands
impaired health"
"Pecc motherw Beatrice sighed softly.
"They may have endured a penurious ex
istence, but l think mother was not I'M
happy"
eff your mother could hear you at this
moment and could reply, she would I'M
deceive you. She endured very pitt
full life, and accepted, after Mr. Alben-
sons death, the helping hand of Mr..
Marsden. His hospitality was thank
fully and gratefully received, and your
mother never had occasion to regret the
step she had taken during the many
years of her married life. Not so the
banker. Although he bestowed upon his
wife the Same love as in the past, his
disposition was not the same as before.
His amiableness toward his fellow be-
ings was gone, and he manifested this
lack Of attachment particularly towards
you. You are like a thorn in his path,
because you remind him daily of his
more favored rival; your soft look is as
a stab to his heart and your lips have
lisped to the father whom he disliked."
Therefore" asserted Beatrice, "he
has hated me from the first. Although /
had no knowledge of this until now, my
heart repeatedly told ma that my step
father did not love me-"
And who can censure him when we
take everything into consideration. But
how he can hate yet, with your charm
ing beauty, is what puzzles me-
but why did he wish me back after
my mothers death?'' inquired Beatrice,
with great emotion. II will not remain
any longer under roof where am not
welcome"
Dear lady, | hope you will not COM
NIT any such act without due considera
ton. I did not imagine you would take
my words so seriously to heart, otherwise
l would have spoken more thoughtfully,"
confessed the count, alphabetically.
''Yeu must not forget that Mr.. Marsden
Is your legal guardian; you can neither
leave him without his consent nor oppose
his authority. At each opposition he