Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-06-10
CHAPTER XXI.

When Mr.. Paulton paid his promised
visit to Lestellc, he was met by Miss
Inll, whom he had hitherto contrived to
avoid. She gave him the usual placid
greeting, but the pleasure that used to
flush her faded face was no longer yisi-
Sic.
"Lestcle has headache, and l have
persuaded her not to get up" she said
as she led the way into the drawing
rom. 'She bids mo say she will have
confidence in your promises. / have
learned from her that next Monday she
will be your wife. Heaven grant that
you may act moro generously to this poor
girl than you have done to mev'
MY dear friend, deserve tho re-
tproach," no replied. "Such Invaluable
services as you have rendered to your
bupil have merited higher reward than
hho salary you havo received. l will
place n couple of hundreds to your ac-
Eount."
'Do you think, then, that money will
compensate to me n wasted lifeF she
asked, Indignantly. Selfish and ungen-
erous man! Is this tho way you propose
TO set my claims aside?"
Claims, Lettice? If you have any
against mo, consult n lawyer, and l will
abdo by his arbitration"
Her lip curled scornfully. "You know
that | cannot do this--that, in all the
years you have led me to consider my
self your plightcd wife, You have care
fully guarded against writing n word
ahat would witness against YOU"
"Lottice, you must not think that /
shall ever be indifferent to your vel
fare. Any plans you may form for your
future l shall be most happy to assist
you in carrying out"
Her voice was cholled as she replied,
""rhanks but do not require any assist
ance. My aunt, who is now both aged
and inGrm, will be glad to let me share
her home. l have promised to remain
with Lestele till after Monday, and then
/ shall leave London"
Mr.. Paultou tried to slip a valuable
ring on to her finger as n slight token
Of his regard" but the gift was quietly,
firmly rejected. and, with very slight
touch OF hands, they wero parting, when
Miss Hill rather abruptly said Where
so YOU propose to ve?--here, or in your
own house at TyburniaT
"m my own house. decidedly. | have
Been Mt great trouble and expense in
Sitting it up
"Wm Icstcle approve of your decis-
Sonr' asked Miss IIilL glancing round
at the pretty, simple furniture and orna-
meuts which the young mistress of the
villa had treasured with n girlish pride,
Knowing that they had all been purchas-
ell by her own exertions.
Mr.. Paulton shrugged his shoulders.
1t was evident that I.estelle's tastes and
wishes would not be consulted but his
ewn.
~ wife must live where her husband
pleases."
as she not even to have the satsfac-
4,on of inspecting her future home, and
susxestlng any little alterations which
may be necessary ?"
81 shall be most happy to show Les
scr over my house, and attend TO any
" ish she may EXPRESS he answered.
promptly. II tlatter myself, however,
That It is already in perfect order. II
would please me to show you all my ar
.rnagements. When will you bring her,
tomorrow Yes, 1t must be to-mor'
row, And you will dine with meg
~Tf Lestelle has no ohievction, neither
have /; on tho contrary, | should like tc
carry away with me some conception OF
What her new home will he like. We
have been very happy here" she added
with such deep sigh. that Mr., Paulton
who dreaded nothing more than senti
ment, snatched up his hat.
Miss H!ll stood with bent head and
r5asped hands. listening to his recedins
footsteps, till the door closed upon him
and then she looked up with all the griei
and resentment she had curbed In hii