Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-08-28

upon Sylphide.
Speak, madam" he said; "what think
your
THAT it is frightful, as Lucian says
faltered Sylphide, "nnd yet--yet perhaps
we ought not to dismiss the idea too sud-
denly. Oh, think, Lucian, this is not so
much n marriage as an opportunity of
Fighting our child in the worlds eye!"
II repeat, DOCTOR" rejoined Courtlandt,
resolutely, that | find your proposition
horrible, and | am astonished that you
"A man SO good, SO noble, so generous
-"
Pardon me one moment, Lucian," in
terrupted Gresham; were | to tell you
That within easy walking distance Of this
house there dwcls family upon the
verge of starvation, d woman and her
daughter slowly dying of poverty and
disease, would you not hand me your
purse and request me to give it to them
And If should add that tho father and
husband Of this family bears an unblem-
ished name, as high in the social scale
as your OWN"
Il should triple the sum-"
You would have to increase ii an hun
dred fold, my dear boy" said the doctor,
ns he rose and set back his chair, before
| would undertake to offer it. Can you
not see That by marrying tho young girl
you would Mt once secure her comfort
during her declining days and Il compe-
tency for her parents in exchange for the
name which 1t lies i'll her power to give
your sonT'
Lucian stood in the center of the room,
with his hands pressed tightly upon his
throbbing temples; and when he did not
| answer, Sylphide arose and crcpt to his
side.
"Lucian," she murmured, "by aiding
them you secure your mothers happi-
ness, and--and mine, perhaps" Then
turning to Gresham, she added, quickly,
doctor, he consents!'
mo, no, no--walt!" cried tho half des-
perate man. With the headlong haste of
one who fears his chance may escape
him, Gresham said
"All that remains now is to know
whether they will consent. l can sound
them easily enough upon the subject if
you give inc leave"
Absolutely handing her husband his
hat and leading him to the door, Sy-
phide exclaimed with forced eagerness:
Hurry, Lucian! Go, so and make
your peace with your mother. Tell her
that you have convinced me that l must
give you up! Say whatever you wish
Then, as Lucian Courtlandt returned
reluctantly to the table for the gloves
which in her haste she had forgotten,
Sylphide breathed in Gresham's ear:
doctor, are you sure, very sure?"
perfectly sure" replied the doctor
with n reassuring smile; you may rest
easy the poor girl has not three months
to live"
They had separated before Lucian
turned to retrace his steps, and as he
came slowly down the room, he said in II
forced, unnatural tone:
well, doctor, where do these people
live?"
Sin semtrespectabe tenement house
in Sixth avenue near Eleventh street;
the number has escaped nle, but you can
not miss the place"
And the nameT
"Burgess-Philip Burgess"
Courtlandt paused thoughtfully.
II think / have heard that name be-
FORE" he muttered; IF | am not mis-
taken, | have heard my mother mention
it."
VERY likely" returned Gresham
days-dayS as prosperous as you are
now enjoying"
Lucian went to Sylphide and took her
hands in his.
"Good-by, Sylphide." he shaid. with
constraint whatever happens, remem-
Der that You have counseled this step"
'Oh, Lucian, Lucian!" she cried. in a
sudden access of alarm; what do you
Il do not know"
'She cannot live! The doctor has
"IIush" he exclaimed, almost roughly
putting her from him; this compact is
hidcous enough without forcing its details
upon me. unless | see my mother ut
once, | shall weaken and never be able
to go through with itr
"'rhen go. so to her ut once" urged
Sylphide, at fever heat in her anxiety;
"and do not forget that, though you sac
ritced yourself for our child, | have to
bear the bittcrest part!'
lie left her then, without another
word, without so much as a backward
glance, and as Gresham followed him,
he pressed Sylphide's hand warmly and
whispered:
keep up brave heart, little woman!
am VITA you, HcaTt ana soul, ana Will
heavens help we shall come off vctori-
ousr'
Then he, too, left her, and the door
was closed upon them. AS their footsteps
echoed down the silent staircase, and
the street door closed MS they went out,
sitting sense of the reality, Of her lone
Illness and desertion oyerpowered the
young mother.
Gone" she murmured; gone to mar
ry another! What am | now? What
should | he if she lived aud he learned
to love herr
The entrance of Diana reused her
from her awful gloom and despair Start
ing TO her feet, she exclaimed. to the
blank establishment Of the woman:
Quick, Diana, my hat and cloak If
my life pays the forfeit must see her"
And with a wild laugh on her lips. she