Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.l

and slender, still graceful and in every
movement a thorough lady. Her plain,
heap attire could notf conceal the, fact
that she had not only seen better days,
0ut had kept that memory alive in her
Scarf, which is more than many, who
are forced to descend the ladder, are
wise enough to do.
With a wan smile that spoke of ply
steal weakness and depressed anxiety,
Mrs. Burgess crossed the kitchen to Mar
tha and placed the basket in the hands
of her faithful domestic.
How is Miss ClaireW asked the
woman, eagerly.
''She seemd to be asleep when looked
IN upon her a moment ago." replied the
lady.
ASLEEP at this hour" exclaimed Mar
cha. ''Then she must have been up writ
Shg again last night
Il fear So" rejoined Mrs. Burgess,
sinking YEARLY into chair beside the
table; "oh, Martha, Martha, what can
eehis journal contain that she keeps so
nysteriously to herself? / must know"
$50 you shall some day, be sure" then
10 turn her thoughts into another chan
nelf Martha added, "but what does this
Basket contanY'
"a few trifes for my husbands break
fast. Open it and see"
The good woman removed the lid of
Hhe basket and started back in amaze
Enent.
''Oh, what extravaganza, ma am" she
cried; however could you afford itT'
Don't scold me, Martha" answered
Kris Burgess with a wan smile; 'it is so
Bong since my poor husband has had
respectable repaSt. Men cannot bear
/ wished to surprise him; it is his birth
day"
In n. burst of generous enthusiasm
Martha caught her mistress hand, and
was about to press it fervently to her lips
when she suddenly recoiled a step as she
exclaimed:
Your ring Mistress! Where is it?
The one with the pearl!-your engage
Zneut ring! Have you sold it!' whis
pered Martha, with dismay depicted up
OH every feature.
mo, it is only-only pawned."
Yes, as are your jewels, your silver,
-FOUR laceS, evcrything-even to the mat
aress off your bed! Oh, that miserable
2awnbroier-'
Hush, Martha" interrupted the lady;
speak no i'll of him, for he is the only
Friend from whom one can borrow with
out n blush"
And for whom?' cried Martha, for
getting her position in her Indignation;
for one who never asks what it has cost
you to raise the money, so long as he has
# to waste"
In an instant Mrs. Burgess was upon
&ier feet, dignity breathing in every at
situde.
''Marthar' she exclaimed, warningly.
tI,.>
woman returned submissively; MIR. Bur-
CESS has been a good master to me, and
1ou know that l would die for him, but
It makes me angry to see you so anxious,
while he remains calm a:El Indifferent.
1t is you, Mistress who bears all the
5urden. Why does not Mr.. Burgess Dor
COW of his frends?'
Because of sense of pride Martha,
which you cannot understand"
Mrs. Burgess laid her hand gently,
saresSingly upon the arm of her faithful
friend. and with tears in her eyes, turn
I'D abruptly and left the kitchen. AS
abe entered the little dining room, where
3 snow-white cloth covered the table
which awaited such repast as Chance
might offer Mrs. Burgess found her hus-
,sand standing by the window, gazing alb
stractedly down into the sunlit street.
Philip Burgess was still a handsome
man, though many years the senior of his
wife, and long past the prime of life. He
was dressed with that scrupulous care
shat bespeaks tne gentleman, and there
was none of the haggard anxiety in his
esheery face that had prematurely aged
sis wife AS she entered he turned, and
coming to her. took her hands in his.
Your eyes are red,' he exclaimed
L.. II.
was DIR. Gresham here last?'
Yesterday, and he agrees with me-
shat it is not so much a positive Illness
rs some secret grief that is preying upon
Slaire's mind"
"A secret grief"' rejoined the gentle
rOan; "our poverty. perhaps"
mo- Claire is TOO noble, too proud for
saat; it is not for our lost fortune that
she weeps; deeper grief weighs upon
AeT heart. Our poor child is most I'M
ao-tunate. since she is in love, and loves
ii yain,
Philip Burgess started in amazement
Il have OWNED her secret | should
!a@ve respected it, had l not seen that
siss hopeless tears she shed were short
ssSskng the few days that remain to her in
<aEs world She coDSecrates almost ev-
sO5 night to writing. and seems to take a
8ssle comfort in inscribing her thoughts,
3SSes and fears. l have been able to
gasn possession of one or two pages of
2REs mysterious manuscript written with
!. trembling hand, and hlotted with tears.
Thus l have discovered" continued the
nsy, that Claire loves, but loves in
wuTna'
"Loves-whom =
II do not know. but rest assured that
I
ng Not another word
The next instant Claire Burgess stood
sRefore them. Had il not been for her
s11sssive pallor, which the hectic flush
aPnn. her wan cheeks heightened Claire
Burgess might have been considered n
SrseIy beautiful girl. To her slender,
ssstely figure was added an exquisite
sSsSee, while her face, of delicate oval,
vas classic in mould, and shaded by