Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-08-07


six months every cent of your property
is likely to be wiped out by this war
that is going on"
you still seek one-half of my proper
ty?"
II want my half"' was the logged re-
tort.
st is no longer in my power to part
with it."
why not?''
81 have a son and heir
"You have a son. he sneered; $50 I've
been told. Well, for his sake, then, you
had better comply with my wishes"
II refuse"'
$50 be it! Bear in mind that it is you
who have declared war. Whatever hap
pens, you are alone responsible. I'm a
desperate man, Sylphide Couramont, and
I'm sick of your tridng."
The cutting manner in which he pro-
nounced her maiden name struck Syl-
phide more powerfully than all his moods.
She was dazed, wondering what he could
mean, dreading to seek an explanation.
When she came to herself she found that
a group of ladies and gentlemen had
entered the apartment, and that Oscar
Couramont had vanished. She braced
herself, and then sped wildly out into the
brilliantly illuminated corridor.
All about her the guests Of the hotel
were leaving the dining hall, laughing
and chatting gaily. Into every face she
encountered she stared, as though bereft
of her senses. She even descended the
remaining flight of stairs to the rotunda,
only to be driven back in very shame
by the crowd of men she met.
Her only thought was that she had
lost him, lost her only hope of salvation.
Too late she became convinced that he
was desperate, as he had said, and would
do-heaven only knew what. She dared
not think.
With tagging steps, clinging to the
stair rail for support, she dragged her
weary way up to her rooms. Outside the
door she paused a moment to summon up
a glimmer of courage and wan mock
cry of a smile. Then she cautiously
turned the knob and opened the door.
The lights had been turned low, Little
Leon had been laid among the pillows
upon the bed and Diana slept the sleep
of the just and weary, in her chair be-
fore the fire. With a low wall, that
seemed wrung from bleeding heart, the
wretched woman flung herself upon her
knees beside the bed, clasped the sleep
ing child in her arms, and rained pas
sionate kisses upon his soft, Gaxen curls.
''Oh, my boy, my boy, my boy." she
sobbed, thank heaven, you are not old
enough to guess your mothers woe.'
"Oh, mother in heaven, darling mother,
hear me! strengthen and comfort me!
have not listened to the tongue of evil
gossip, yet the cross is heavy to bear.
Shield me, guard me, for | am alone and
in danger. Save me the love of husband
and child; it's all askv'
In the chill gray of early dawn, Diana
came to her and TOUGHER her shoulder.
Missy Sylph Missy Sylph!" cried the
faithful creature, get up and go to bed!'
Sylphide rose slowly and painfully.
Pressing her hands upon her aching eyes,
she said:
Il must have slept, Diana; need no
more. See, it's morning! had better
dress for the day."
At ten o'clock telegram was handed
her from her husband. Eagerly she
opened it and read its CHEEKY contents:
Have heard Of lovely residence near
Yonkers. Shall go to see it before re-
turning to you. Love to you and kisses
for the boy"
Heavens, how she kissed that scrap of
senseless paper. To the poor, agonized
soul it seemed like ray of vivifying
sunlight LET in upon her dungeon keep.
From the moment of it's receipt she
frightened up. She fancied she felt a
strong arm encircing her and supporting
her.
Diana asked permission to take little
Leon for a stroll in the square, and was
readily permitted to do so. When left
alone, poor Sylphde went to her trunks,
drew forth their contents and made
lection of the costume which had been
most praised by her husband in the hap
ply days beyond the sea. 1t was a Won
derful and beautiful confection of deli
cate violet silk and rich old ivory tinted
laces that set off her marvellous brunette
beauty to perfection. She added a spray
of lovely pink roses to her bosom, and
the fautless toilette was complete.
With just the slightest bit of coquetry
she glanced at her enchanting reflection
in the mirror when all was complete,
and seated herself in the embrasure of
a window that overlooked the square to
watch for her child and await the ar
rival of her husband.
Suddenly she heard the door of the
room open and close. She sprang to her
feet with parted lips, and outstretched
hands. a glad, expectant smile quivering
upon every feature. The smile vanished
instantly as she saw, standing in the cen
ter of the apartment, not her child, not
her husband, but the proud, stately wom-
an whom the world regarded as her moth
er-in-law.
Attired in rich. trailing garments of
uncompromising black, the elder Mrs.
Courtlandt formed startling contrast to
the younger. She bowed coldly in ac-
knowledging the chair which Sylphide adj
vanced, and seated herself.
You are doubtless surprised to see
me here" she said, stiffiy.
Sylphide bowed, and said in answer:
May l know to what owe the honor