Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-03-21


know, old fellow, that 1 have completely
run through my handsome fortune, and
that my great expectations as my aunt's
sole heir and fayorite are all l have to
depend on?'
II know it. What then?'
"'What then?" boyishly mimicked the
sober tone of the elder man. IF l must
tell you. Glen, my aunt has positively in
terdicted me from making love to her
fair companion. I might be courteously
polite, soberly kind-nothing more, on
pain of disinheritance and eternal ban
ishment from my relatives imperious
presence"
"You have disobeyed her"
mot I. l have debarred myself from
that exquisite pleasure, and kept strictly
to the letter of my aunt's command. l
have never addressed her single word
of love, save in the ideal, poetical quota
tons to which she can attach no real
meaning. l am not to blame,' talking
little savagely; land l suffer, too. Ilust
go away. It is madness for me to stay
here longer, and cruel to her. My heart
aches for her-she is so fair, so pure, so
trusting. l dare not stay here another
day. or / should break through Aunt Con-
ways prohibition and tell her all that is
in my heart But once away from the
sight of her maddening beauty, can for
get her, and returning home some time,
take possession of my handsome Inherit
ance, and thank my lucky stars for the
decision l made to-day"
"Think a moment, dear friend. Is 1t
not just as possible that day may come
when you shall bitterly regret that de-
cision? When for the sake of the loving,
trusting friendless child you desert to-
day, you would peril not only your hopes
of present fortune and earthly prosperity,
but your aspirations for brighter
World?
"Why pursue n useless subject? l
have let you have your say out, and
heard you in patience. Now hear me.
do love Grace Grey so passionately that,
having had everything l wanted hereto
fore in life. it is. a hard struggle to be
compelled to resign her. But though
l feel that l am acting almost villain
GUS part, | cannot incur my aunt's pen
atty. Love of ease and luxury is inherent
in my nature, and l would not resign the
power of gratifying these propensities
for the sake of any woman'a love. Even
if | risked all to do the l0ye-in-cottage
romance, what have | left to offer Miss
Grey along with my name and lOveW
"Your broad breast to shield her; your
clear brain and strong arms to toll for
her"
Mere visionary fancies! I am too in
dolent to work with head or hands. My
vocation is that of an idler. shall so
to Europe, see all that is to be seen, shiv
err in foggy London, plunge head and soul
into the gay and giddy circles of dear,
delightful Paris, return, inherit Aunt
Conway's fortune, marry some heiress
of her choosing, and live happy ever af
ter"
II doubt it. Good night"
Come back-you are not going? l
shall drive you into town after tea-my
aunt expects to see you-Clendenon, l
sayw
He hurried down the walk after the
TALL proud form stalking coldly away,
and stopped him with a hand upon lis
shoulder.
"Clen, are you angry with ME? Don't
think of it! You know there are some
subjects on which we never agree. 1 am
sorry 1 did not hear your expostulations
with more patience. That is saying more
than would say to any other man living,
but 1 don't forget that it is for me you
wear that empty sleeve across your
breast-that you gave freely to save my
worthless life the strong arm that was
worth more than dozen such men as l.
And are we to separate at last for a
womans sake T.
1t vas true. They had shared the
same campfire, slept under the same scan
ty blanket, battled side by side In the
far-famed gray uniform, and when death
the one the strong arm of the
other had been raised to shield him. Had
it been necessary he would have given
his life as freely as he gave his strong left
arm. He could not forget in a moment
the friendship of years, but he yielded
half-reluctantly to the OBTAINING hand
that drew him back to the house.
81 confess that l go back with you I'M
willingly" he said, in his grave, frank
way. You have shown me new phase
of your character, Bruce, and | do not
in the least admire it. l trust yet to hear
you repudiate your decision as unworthy
of yourself as we'll as unjust to che girl
whose sacred love you have trihed with"
Perhaps l may yet" was tho hurried
reply. 81 am so divided between con-
ficting emotions that l scarcely know
my own mind yet. l may yet decide as
you wish me to do"
Part of this was said to conciliate his
friend, and part of it was true, for Bruce
Conway did not err when he said that he
scarcely knew his own mind. The most
of his failings and follies, as of a great
many other people, arose from this amia
bic trait in his character.
He had not decided when the pleasant
social ceremony Of the nine o'clock tea
was over, and leaving Captain Ciendenon
deep in converse with his stately host
ess, he beguiled the younger lady into Il
walk down to the seashore. There stand
ing, arm in arm, on the pebbly beach, he
almost made up his mind. For she was
so beautiful, and he loved beauty. A love
of beauty was inherent in his luxurious
nature, and Grace Grey was the fairest
creature he had ever beheld as she lifted
her shy glance to his in the brilliant
moonlight.