Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-05-06

telIe's drawing room, as in furious anger
at her tardy return, he strobe to and fro.
Good night. Forgive me for having
detained you so long. 1t will never oc-
cur again"
Lestelle laid her hand lightly on his
sleeve Yet hear what it was meant
to entreat from you. | only fAought 10
say, think Of me sometimes; but now, lor
Ida's sake, for yours, / will be brave,
even though IL breaks my heart, and say
Forget me"
Darcy extended his arms, as If he med
itated folding her in them, but he check
ed the impulse, and contented himself
with pressing one long, lingering kiss up
on her hand; then, drawing his hat over
his eyes, he dashed away,
Through the sleepless night he wres-
tied with his inclinations, and subdued
them As early the next morning as
there was a chance of finding Ida at
home to visitors, he presented himself
and after a short interview with his uncle
| in the study they entered the morning
| room, arm in arm.
| Ida was in close conference with MRS.
| Layington over a box of new trimmings
but a whisper made the pretty widow re-
| luctantly withdraw, and the General took
her vacated seat.
| Ida glanced at her cousin, who had
/ paused beside a distant table, and she
saw that his face was haggard, as with
| some great trouble Her own was as
calm as usual The tears Of the preVl-
| Gus night had been few, and soon wiped
away.
darcy looks as if he had slept ILL or
| been a naughty boy, and supped nolslly
with other dissipated youths after he lett
| us last evening"" she observed, so play
| fully that he marveled at her readiness
to ignore what had passed between them.
| Il belie1e that you can soon remove
| Darcy's uleasiness, my dear her fath-
| or replied. ''For some years past it has
| heen the dearest wish of his heart to
| make you his, and though | have no de-
! sire to bias your choice, l may say that
your union would give me great, very
great satisfaction.
Ida let the fringes fall from her hands,
and modestly dropped her head while her
father was speaking. The General I'M
gered, till his glance at Darcy induced
| the latter to advance and touch his cous-
| ms taper fingers. They we're not With
| drawn, and Gen. Glenaugnton, an air OF
profound relief chasing for awhile the
wrinkles from his brow, Quilted the
| room.
For few moments last night, Ida"
| the Young man said, in the slow, husky
| tones Of one who makes painful con-
| fession. 81 suffered myself to forget how
| long l had given you reason to suppose
/ that you possessed my affections. If you
| can forgive this-if you can believe my
assurance that will do my utmost to Sc
cure your happiness"
His voice grew so husky with emotion
that he paused.
Il think we were both little out Of
humor last night" Ida replied, smiling
graciously; "but have no doubt that we
81 all be very happy. You must not be
| offended if mamma is rather disagreed
| BILE to YOU Just at first. Mothers will be
ambitious for their daughters; and Lech-
| lade has always been such a favorite of
| hers"
"If you feel any doubt as to what your
decision ought to be, pray consult Mrs.
| Glenaughton," cried Darcy, snatching at
the chance of reprieye.
| ''NIy dear co.,. if you were not above
such paltry vanity, | should be inclined
to say that you made that speech on pur-
pose to be told that such an empty-head-
ed fop as Lechlade is forgotten in your
presence You may leave mamma to me.
shall be able to manage her"
Darcy said no more. The nights strug-
gle between his inclnations and his hon
or had brought him to the beautiful Ida.
This done, he felt too dull and disap-
pointed to exert his conversational pow
ers. His cousin would make him an ex-
cellent wife, presiding at his table with
| inimitable grace; as to that closer COM
munion of souls he had been wont to
dream Of, it was a myth-a romance that
he must be content to seal up in his in
/ nermost heart as one that gould never be
developed into sweet reality.
81 am only sorry" said Ida, presently
''that I cannot give you with my hand
| the reversion of the estate, for | am sure
Percy does not deserve it after his
shameful behavior You must be papa's
son now, Darcy"
And so Darcys bride was won, and
his fate decided
(To be continued.)