Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-12-09
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where L get the moral strength to
resist this pathetic appeal 1 know not.
put am enabled to reply with Just as
much concern as brother might show
10 sister under similar circumstances.
Not we'll, Maruscha? l am sorry TO
hear 1t. Yet | am not surprised. The
atmosphere in Mr.. Coughs room was
most oppressive. Perhaps thou wilt ac
cept the support of my arm? l pray
theew
She hesitates a moment whilst I hold
it stitfiy toward her, then she takes it.
1t is as if futtering bird had descended
and was nesting on my arm. The long
ing to press it closely to my heart is al
most irresistible; the sensation of that
timid touch thrills me to pain, vet | let
it lie there as if my arm were a senseless
limb of wood
Maruscha heayes a deep sigh. We
proceed for some little way in silence I'M
til prepare to lead her across the wide
street to enter the Stein-Strasse on the
opposite side. Then she arrests me.
Vladimir, [ think little turn in the
air would revive me-" she says. I'm
less-unless thou wouldst PREFER
by no means, Maruscha And it is
indeed a happy thought. The evening
is lovely and the walk will do thee good.
How art thou affected, Maruscha? Is
it thy head?'
A gasping sob escapes her. eyes,
Vladimir; my head-and, and oh, Vlad
The hand on my arm is instantly
strained to my heart. No longer can I
bear the fierce restraint and ere l am
aware my favorite pet name for he
rushes to my lips.
My sweet dover'
And l deliberately enclose her little
trembling hand in my disengaged one.
There is another long silence. l know
she cannot speak now, she is furtiyely
and silently getting rid of some tears.
l lead her on and on until, for the sec
ond time to-day, the dark, dense trees
Of the Kindergarten" are at one side of
me. We are alone here and l venture
to carry the imprisoned hand to my lips.
AS Maruscha offers no resistance, l kiss
it softly many times Presently [ whis
per:
SIS thy head very bad, my own?'
'Yes-no-it is not my head at all. It
is-it is-oh, / have been so miserable.
And 1 have something to say" She
makes the confession in a sort of desper-
ate gush. 'Mr. Cough has been talking
to me- Vladimir. l told him everything.
He says l am a bad lass" She attempts
a little laugh. which ends in sob.
give her an encouraging squeeze. He
is quite right, that is what | am
Thou art PERFECTION 1 whisper.
And, indeed, l think it. Perfectly charm
ing to me now in retrospect is this morn
ing's episode, since it has given to me
this draught Of absolute bliss.
He has fully explained, all to ME,
vladimir, how needful-how imperative
it is that thou shouldst-shouldst marry
before going to England, and we owe so
much to Mr. Cough that it seems abso-
lutelv wicked not to consider his wishes;
and he says that he would be very much
disappointed in me if 1 were to refuse, so
1 agreed" She hesitates and droops,
then makes another effort. He has
promised-offered to wait three days
and the day after to-morrow-and-oh
Vladimir, it is so soon!'
halt and catch her on my breast:
Tell me that l understand aright?"
1 say in agitated tones. THE day after
tomorrow thou hast promised to become
my wife,"
The answer comes TREMENDOUSLY and
shy.
IF thou wilt take me, vladimir"
y
II is the same evening We have gone
through the form of taking supper, ana
Rosen. with a lovers tact and sympathy,
has left us sole possessors Of his sitting
room. We are seated together in very
close proximity on the sofa. l take from
nv pocket a tiny cardboard box, and
from il the rings Maruscha goes into
rontures at the sight Of the keeper L
single out the third slender finger of her
left hand. and try them both ON. They
fit exactly.
SIT is a lucky omen, Maruscha" l OBJ
serve, as she sits looking down at them
with a vistful smile. Notwithstanding
that | had no measure, they are a per-
feet fit"
sudden thought seems to strike her.
She looks up wonderingly into my race.
"Hast thou bought them to-day g she
interrogates.
Eyes, Maruscha, to-day"
Her countenance falls.
"Ab thou knewest all the time that
T must yieldr' she says, and there is dis
onnointment and touch of bitterness IN
her tones. Il am but a poor weak
thing" Ii
tell white lie-yes, it is white
one-for it spreads brightness over Ma
ruscha's fair face again.
NAY, 1 dared not even hope! TOW
could /? But 1 thought l might as wen
have the wedding ring by me against
future day. There seemed sort OF mel-
ancholy consolation in carrying aoou,
with me the golden symbol of thy troth.
She laughs, we'll pleased.
"Thou foolish boy!" she cries, resting
her bright head on the very breast pockeI
wherein lies our marriage license. Ana |
leave her in blissful ignorance OF It's
presence there.