Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-01-01
CHAPTER Ky.

During the long and cold journey in
n third-class railway car Beatrice real
lied for the first time what poverty
meant. She was mentally and physically
enfeebled, but she felt that she was I'M
der the greatest obligations to her faith
full maid and Kenneth. So long as she
retained full possession of her health she
did not fear the bitter fate of poverty.
She hoped to earn her own living, but,
not having yet experienced the reality,
she overestimated her strength.
Dear lady," said Kenneth, 81 hope
you do not feel offended at travelling
third class? l thought you would not
wish to occupy a compartment by your
self, and first-class tickets for each of
us would have been too expensive for
our limited means"
"Of course not" answered Beatrice.
1--WE can travel just as fast, and so much
the sooner will l become accustomed to
my new position. My previous riches
very seldom procured for me happy
hour, and an earnest avocation will even
be of benefit to meat least | have the
satisfaction of knowing that Mr.. Mars
den does not care for me and-but should
not inform the Countess Stratmore Of
my singular situation?' she asked, rath.
er abruptly.
II would not do it if / were you,
Miss Albenson. Perhaps the counters
did not invite you at all, or, Mr.. Mars
den declined the invitation You will
be better protected by concealing your
abode for the present from everyone"
But they have always been very kind
4 7 IL - loi,
friendship and esteem"
Dear Beatrice, please let the whole
affair in Kenneth's care; he is usually
correct in his IDEAS" interrupted Julia.
THE countess may consider herself in
duty bound to inform Mr.. Marsden of
your non-arrival, providing she received
his acceptance-and should you ever
come in his power again it would be
worse than ever"
but, Victor should be informed"
Certainly, dear lady. will send your
letter to my mother anG she will person
ally hand it to Mr.. Raymond, in order
to avoid any error"
Beatrice, highly pleased at noticing
Kenneth's esteem and attachment, Smil-
ed gratefully upon him; then she began
to take much-needed rest, her excited
mind continued it's functions-represent
ing the future in dark colors and render
ing the present colorless. She scarcely
understood the low conversation of her
two friends, who, encouraged by her
slumber. conidentially discussed their
next actions in regard to arranging do
nestle affairs.
A few hours later the train Numbered
into the great railway station at Lon
don. Kenneth conducted the ladies to
an hotel, where he had beforehand made
arrangements to secure lodgings tempo
rarily only, as the hostess had insisted
on letting rooms by the month; and,
as her rooms had not suited Kenneth in
the least, he secured apartments in
house n short distance from there on
narrow by-street. They repaired thither
in the morning.
Upon her entrance into the dismal
room, Beatrice shuddered, and the moldy
scent of the walls seemed to suffocate
her. Kenneth compared the place to
Paradise; the simple design of the wall
paper corresponding to his uncultured
taste; while Beatrice thought of the rich
ly decorated elegance or her previous
mansion.
Kenneth questioned himself whether
the expenses for this luxurious dwelling
would not overtax his means. while Ju.
liza made the necessary arrangements and
Beatrice wrote few lines to Victor Ray
mond.
This letter was never given by Mrs.
Lathrop to Victor Raymond. The last
report that the lady sent DESTROYED Bea-