Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-09-11

CHAPTER XI.-tContinued)
The door had opened while he was
speaking, and Mrs. Burgess had entered
with a radiant face, bearing several
sheets of manuscript in her hands SO
great was her excitement that she did
1ot heed the presence of the doctor, and
fastening to her husband, she held the
manuscript before his eyes with trean-
Bling hands.
Look she cried; Eat last know the
secret which is killing our poor Claire
have discovered the name of the man
she loves! Read these pages; they were
written by her last night"
Philip Burgess seized the proffered
meets and ran his eye over their tear
6iuFret surface. Suddenly a name ar
vested his attention; he uttered an mar
aieulate cry, flung the manuscript upon
toe table and grasped the doctor by both
aands.
Gresham he cried, joyfuly, Il ac-
s~ept! 1t is no longer a question Of ac-
suiring fortune at the price of my hon
or, at the cost of my name, but of saw
Eng my daughters life.'
Claire herself was a silent auditor of
HIse triumphant EXPLANATIONS. She had
seached the open door and paused upon
che threshold, hearing her fathers words.
in the next moment she deserted her pre-
eious manuscript, the secret of her life,
Rying exposed upon the table, and with
wai!ing cry of dismay she staggered for
ward and flung herself upon her mothers
Breast.
"Oh, mother, mother" she sobbed,
Burning flush mounting her pailid brow,
what have you DONE
pardon me, my child" replied Mrs.
Burgess soothingly, as she caressed the
dropping golden head; but l could not
see you suffer and remain in ignorance
Of she cause another day"
We'll done, wife, exclaimed Philip
Burgess; had you not acted thus
promptly, l should have rejected the hap
piness of Claire's life-for now she will
iyew
My Iife-my happiness" gasped the
young girl, raising her head and glancing
sn dismay at her father; "0h. father, you
aave not read the secret of my foolish
passion And when he nodded to her
with an assuring smile, she added, in de-
apair: 1T is a relic of our past happy
Afe which | have not had the strength
20 combat against. Instead of forgetting
this man whom l met by chance in that
SriIliant word now closed to us forever,
I have been so foolish as to cherish his
image in my heart
And justly, Claire" replied the old
gentleman; ARE you not worthy to bear
She proudcst name in the land?"
''Ah, but if you knew his name" sob
3ed the girl.
Il know it, and he will be here short
By"
."He-here" gasped Claire, recoiing a
Sew steps and standing alone.
"Yes-Lucian Courtlandt! He comes
90 demand your hand in marriage
Completely overcome, Claire tottered
80 the nearest chair and sank into it, and
It is doubtful if she heard Martha open
che door and announce:
"A lady and gentleman to see your
A moment later Lucian Courtlandt APP
scared upon the threshold with his
&aughty mother leaning upon his arm.
The young man was pallid but COM
posed, while Mrs Courtlandt's stern fea-
Hures were wreathed in smiles. A few
words of welcome were exchanged be-
sween Philip Burgess and his wife and
Mrs. Courtlandt, Claire meanwhile sit
ding there with dropping head, apparent
~ unconscious of her surroundings.
Presently, however the words of Mrs.
$'ourtlandt penetrated her dulled hearing.
odd friends remarked that lady,
with affable condescension. Il have the
honor of demanding the hand of your
daughter Claire for my son Lucian.''
At these words, Claire struggled to
Aer feet and throw herself into her moth
er's arms.
Poor child"' thought Lucan Court
Ean0t, "how beautiful she isl
Miss Burgess" said Mrs. Courtlandt,
gently, ARE you willing to be my daugh-
eer2'
Poor Claire murmured some inarticu
Aate words, and her head sank lower upon
her mothers breast.
Then Lucian advanced and took one
of the pendent snowy hands.
Claire" he murmured, will you be
my wife,"
But there was no reply; JOY had de-
griyed the happy victim of all sense, and
axe lay unconscious in her mothers arms.