Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-11-25

uuldtuOmdDIe woman reason she Has
been willfully tormenting me all these
days, Notwithstanding that she turns on
me the most innocent and guileless eyes,
and assumes the air Of an injured mar
tyr 1t is a strange mystery, this femi-
nine habit of tormenting the loved one.
Maruscha has ever done so with me,
whom l know she loves with all her
heart and soul.
Thou hast not tried to please me.
Maruscha," l say, severely. Thou hast
tried to torment me after thy manner
and thou hast succeeded. But go not too
far; it is enough. Let be now"
We have gained the outer steps, where
is hustle Of strangers arriving. There
Is no place for further parley, so l con-
tent myself with pressing her hand and
whispering with a glance Of depreciation,
BE kind"
She replies nothing, but I carry back
with me to the Englishman's room the
remembrance Of a pair Of blue eyes, in
which compassion and reproach are beau
tifully blent.
My mood is wonderfully subdued when
I enter, and l take the seat to which
Mr.. Cough motions me at the foot OF
his couch, with something akin to meek
ness.
"Now, Doctor, want to talk to you
about yourself" he begins, briskly. you
have already been very frank with me
and told me about the precious mess
you've got yourself into in Russia. Well,
you know my opinion Of that; you've
made a fool of yourself and, worse than
that, you've acted criminally."
l draw myself up with dignity. "Ex-
cuse me, sir" l interpose, "but l neither
want the censure nor the applause Of any
man living regarding that action in my
past life. In making you acquainted
with it, l merely wished to avoid coming
into relations with a stranger who SEEM
ed disposed to place confidence in me,
under false pretensions. And beg"
"Just so, my man." he interrupts, put
ting his hand on my arm. That's what
l like about you. You were fair and
square with me- and though l highly
disapprove-"
l make an impatient movement, and
am about to speak.
"Well, we'll, I'll say no more Mum
is the word both now and hereafter"
he breaks in hastily, Especially as you
already know my sentiments. And what
l wanted to ask you was this Have you
any plans for the future? You are en-
gagged to this very nice young woman
who has no one to look to but you, and
you'll have to marry her at once"
"Mr. Cough thunder, boiling over
with Indignation at what | consider most
impertinent interference.
Bless my soul, you needn't fire up
that way. What I say is correct; isn't
it,"
yet no concern Of yours, sir" re-
tort.
but I'm making it my concern. And
I'll do it, whether you like it or not
Mollys q fine lass-far too good for
you. And want to see her settled with
a home over her head. Now, don't fly
off again"-as l half rise to my feet.
Bottle up that 'izz' and listen to me.
l mean well by you, and you know you
can't afford to show temper like that"
What this blunt, rough fellow says is
true; l have no reason to be proud, nor
can 1 afford it. Though his manner is
so offensive, he means we'll. l compose
myself and look attentive.
There, that's BETTER" he says, with
an approving nod. Now we can pro-
coed to business. You know who | am,
if you have not forgotten. l am a mill
owner and hang out at New Mills in
Lancashire. / am proud to say that l
am a self-made man, and give work to
| about two thousand men. We require
doctor-have done so for some time
past, only / was 10th to lay the old chap
off, fearing to hurt his feelings; and
| now my manager writes to me this morn
ing that he is down with govt. So l
have resolved to pension him, and if
you'll have the berth you're welcome to
| it. l give five hundred a year for the
| Job. and there's a bit of practice to be
picked up in the neighborhood besides"
"But-but, you do not mean to say"
| stammer. that you offer me this-this
very excellent post without any Gre
| dentials? How do you know that l am
not an impostor"
| MY man, | know what | am about. l
| have seen all the credentials | require,
| and without them | engage no man.
| You showed me them when you told me
| those private matters, which shall hence
forth be nameless. l never asked your
| confidence, and you volunteered. it,
| though it was against your interests to
! do so. because you are an honest man
| and have a conscience. Leave me alone
for knowing good stuff when | see it, and
| looking after my own interests in trying
to secure it. l want a young, active,
energetic doctor for my people. | sup
pose the lass had better be consulted.
| The women folk like to have their finger
in the pie. and it's well to humor them.
You can follow your own counsel all the
same"
And as to Maruscha. she will be over
joyed," l cry. No need to wait 10 con-
suit her; know her mind, and | accept
your generous offer. Believe me, 1t will
be my anxiety to prove myself worthy of
your confidence, sir.
Say no more. know that. Shake
hands on it, man, and good luck to you"
CHAPTER XXII
The transaction is concluded. leaving
me in a state of elation which it is be-
yond me TO describe. To sit still and