Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-12-02

set him on the road to Freedom" I add
humbly.
Yes, Vladimir" she responds. And
her gaze is solemn and uplifted, as If
she saw the Angel of Liberty descending
from the clouds. There is long pause.
during which my thoughts revert to the
OBJECT OF this interview. The moments
seem particularly propitious for breach
ing the delicate subject Maruscha's
mood Is soft, and apparently submissive.
whist l am beating about for some
happy mode of introducing it, she breaks
the silence.
Mr.. Cough has talked to me much
about New Mills and his people. What
pride he takes in them-as a father in
his children! / think he is a very good
and just man, and they are fortunate
who get employment under him.
Yes, Maruscha, he is all thou sayest.
Moreover, he is man Of judgment,
practical and sensible A man whose
advice is worth listening to-"
She unconsciously plays into my hands.
THAT is it, Vladimir. He has so much
common sense that l should feel in
clined to act on his advice, even though
it were contrary to my own judgment"
Quite so, Maruscha. And when this
morning he advised our immediate mar
riage | waived my own opinion to his
way of thinking. He made me do So
for his reasons were so conclusive that
they admitted Of no argument"
But surely, Vladimir
"And l said, instantly" 1 continue
feverishly, "Maruscha is the last girl in
the world to raise objections under the
circumstances. She is not capable Of
such folly"
She tries to put in word, but hurry
on: MY betrothed is not silly dame
de societe to stand on ceremony. l need
only explain to her how imperative it
is"
vladimir" My name is pronounced
i'll a manner SO commanding that the
flow of my language is instantly checked
My hand is whisked with exceeding
swiftness from it's resting place in the
bend Of Maruscha's arm. She with
draws herself.
What have I done?" I ask, my emo
tons halting between anxiety and in
dignation.
"Done"' she gasps. "Thou talkest as
if 1 were some poor helpless creature,
to be twisted round thy finger! Thinks
Mr.. Cough that it is one of his mill
girls he has to deal with? 1 am surpris
ell at thee Vladimir. to think so little
OF my dignity as to allow this English
man to imagine that thou hast but to
beckon and will be ready to wed thee!'
"Maruscha, wilt thou listen to the rea
sons-the very weighty reasons
No reasons could justify such an I'M
seemly proceeding
Mr. Cough returns to England in
day or two. l go with him. Wilt thou
let me go alone?
| put the question in cold, precise
tones, forcibly holding a barrier to the
surging waves Of passion that threaten
to sweep my soul. She glances at me
askance Her lip is still trembling with
anger, yet in the corners of her eyes
turks a shadow Of self-distrust.
The answer comes, low and uncertain,
but still it comes. "Why nOt?
If is enough" l say between closed
teeth. The barrier is down and the
foods leap and rage unchecked Only
NV tongue is under control, and my
words form themselves with strange
distinctness; slow and calm.
In that case, Maruscha, as | depart
in a few hours, and have business to
transact, perhaps thou wilt be good
enough to make thy intentions known
to Mr.. Cough"
I lift my hat and stride rapidly away,
neither knowing nor caring whittier Me-
thinks as | go | catch her voice utterlng
NV name in half suffocated entreaty.
What is it to me? Is it possible that
now she regrets the ungentleness of her
sneech. but the fact remains the same
In the tumult of my bitter thoughts L
heed not whittier my hurrying footsteps
are leading me. until trees are rustllng
over nv head, and I discover that l am
skirting the ''Thiergarten.' | plunge
into one of the many shady alleys, fol-
lowing its winding course to deeper
shade. and by degrees the GOODNESS ana
ouietude soothe my yexed spirit and tenn
ner nv heated blood Then l remem-
her the check in my pocketbook, ana
Rosen. who may be waiting dinner for
me-, and retrace my steps to the town.
On my way from the bank to the
"Stein-Strasse" | have to pass Hotel
London" | glance up a certain VIII
dow There is little figure consplcu-
ous. with a wistful face gazing into the
street | raise my. hat with the tormailty
~ q soldier saluting his chief. | permit
not my eye to rest single instant on
II much as | desire to read Its express
sion. My mood, though subdued' IS uarA
and grim. Only | am conscious OF Il Sen
sation of fierce triumph-transient as d
flash in the pan-because my knoWieuse
of NIaruscha informs me that she 10
craning her neck to watch me OUT u
sight. longing to see me turn anu ina
= v.r;nos her heart strings to observe my
unbendipg demeanor. This little naFoi
of vengeance is mine. ,
Rosen is hanging over the oalcohs'
oIso on the lookout, as l come up.
..I.ook quick, Vlasha! he cans e al
oitadlv Thou hast spoilt the meal win
! thy dawdling.
To talk to me of beef. 80
-, s..n rnnt tod at the dinner Ia