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

The yelled lady was none other than
Sylphide Courtlandt, or Sylphide Coura-
mont, as a cruel fate had decreed that
SHE should henceforth be known; and
she had come to this humble home to
see with her own eyes the woman who
was destined to take her place and be-
come the mother of her child.
SO anxious and excited was she to sat
isfy herself that DIR. Gresham had not
led her into a trap, that her first move
ment was to snatch the veil from before
her face and rivet her eyes upon Claire.
A little amazed himself at this strange
proceeding, Philip Burgess advanced and
demanded, politely:
May l ask, madam, to what we owe
the honor of this visit?"
Il will tell you with pleasure, sir
only | am not well-and so many flights
of stairs"
Il beg your pardon, madam" exclaim-
ed the gentleman, quickly offering the
most comfortable chair that the room
afforded; will you be seated?'
Sylphide bowed and sank into the
chair, glancing about her with the mental
ejaculation:
what misery! I wish l had brought
five hundred dollars instead of one"
While Burgess, whose eyes were not
yet blind to the beautiful, thought:
What a remarkably fine woman!'
Il do. not live so far away as not to
be considered neighbor, and | have
often heard your family spoken of-your
former affluence and present Distress
Drawing himself up proudly, Philip
Burgess replied:
'Then you have been informed, mad
AMI
'Of how nobly you bear this Distress
said Sylphidc; and with a glance at Mrs.
BurgessH land you, also-Nrs Burgess,
| suppose? And this is your daugh-
ter?'
Yes, l am Claire Burgess" replied the
young girl, with such unwonted firmne.s
that her father glanced quickly at her.
will you be good enough to inform us
whom we have the honor of receiving?'
My name is Hastings-Mrs. Hast
ings-I am connected with charitable
institution"
She did not dare to raise her glance to
the three pairs of eyes that were fixed
upon her until the voice of Philip Bur-
CESS broke the silence.
"Ah. A charitable institution" he said
tiltil L presume you CdHle, Ildudiu-----
Quickly opening the silkcn bag which
hung upon her arm, Sylphide interrupt
ed the speaker with:
Il am making my usual rounds; l have
received my share this morning, and am
now distributing it."
do | understand that you are dis
tributing-alms 2" inquired the gentle
man, bright CLEAN darling into his blue
eyes.
Say, rather, assistance" she answer
ed; there is an honorable grade of pow
erty which objects TO the term-alms, l
believe"
You are correct, madam" was the
firm rejoinder.
Il regret to say" faltered Sylphide,
chat the assistance l have to dispense
is not as great as l could wish. There
are certain unfortunates whose suffer
ings | should be glad to relieve"
What does she mean?" breathed
Claire. drawing nearer to her mother
And although l am unable to do so to-
day." continaed Sylphide, under the same
painful repression, II can at least"
Mother" gasped Claire, in sudden
dismay, checking her visitors words; and
as Sylphide turned from one to the other
in establishment, Philip Burgess advanc
ed.
You are fulfilling a noble mission,
madam he said, with naughty prompt
ness, land we regret that we are unable
to contribute to it as literally as We
might have in the past"
Contribute" cried Sylphide. recoiling
a step.
You must see that our circumstances
are somewhat cramped,' continued the
gentleman, without needing her amaze
ment; yet you must permgit us to con-
tribute our mite to your collection" and
as he spoke he drew from his pocket a
one dollar bill, the last cent he possessed
in the world, and with a courteous bow,
placed it in the silken bag.
A crimson flush dyed Sylphide Coura-
mont's beautiful face to the very roots
of her black hair.
Il thank you. sir" she stammered,
family; and turning abruptly, she left