Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-03-25
CHAPTER ".

Wyett clYllly delayed ms departure III
the fresh search Mrs. Price set ON foot
had come to al end. Not creature had
seen Essie since the children were sent
off to school some hours previously. at
last Wyett, remarling that he had al
ready lost one train, babe his troubled
hostess adieu. When he had taken his
seat in the miller's cart, he stopped down
to drop some Talfpence into Mrs. frlce
apron.
These are for the children to buy
sweeties with. You'll send me line
about those papers when you've found
the girl, won't you"
do we think / ever will find her, MIR.
WyettY asked the woman, with white
lips and chattering teeth. She had been
disturbed by a bad dream on the previous
night, and was crcdulous enough to con
meet it with Errie's disappearance.
Wyett laughed. "Oh she's only hid
ing to brighten you"
Mrs. Price clenched her hands. III 1
thought that, I'd cut her into mince
meatw
Uhe touch of the miller's whip sent
the horse off at a trot before she had
finished her yindictive speech; but Wyett,
with q hooking smile kissed the tips or
his fingers to her as he was borne away.
Farewell, most amiable Of women,
no muttered. IF Essie has a spark OF
common sense in that little head of hers,
she will consider any fate preferable TO
dwelling beneath your roofV'
He did not reach the railway station
until the train had pulled away. There
was not another due for two hours; but
he heard this with smiling equanimity.
What can't be cured must be endur-
ed. Take care Of my trunk, porter, and
I'll walk oil to the next station.
With his travelling bag in one hand
and neat little umbrella in the other,
Wyett strobe away stopping at the top
of the first bit of rising ground to turn
and east his eyes warily around. Then
our pedestrian began to descend the hiA
and approach a large plantation of larch
trees, which skirted the by-road.
And now he commenced WhiStllnS
shrilly one of Darcy Lesmere's favorite
airs After a while he paused and looked
curiously about him. The trees grew so
closely together as to throw dark shad-
ow over the secluded spot; and he did
not perceive at first that a crouching tiS-
ure had risen at his approach from Its
concealment amongst the ferns that grew
luxuriantly beside a little pond. But
when the lost Essic stepped into the open
his face assumed an air of profound sat
lsfaction.
$50 you did not forget any Of my In
structions? That's well. l have more
hopes of you than before" And, open
ing his bag, he drew from 1t water
proof wrapper and small black hat, and
tossed them towards her. Put these on,
child Pull this veil down over your
face. You look somewhat more like a
decent travelling companion than you did
before. Fling your old shawl into the
pond; 1t will set some one searching for
you In the mud at the bottom!
When these directions had been obey
ed, he resumed his journey, signing to
the girl to follow; and she did so I'M
hesitatingly, rs if he had already acquir-
ed an influence over her which rendered
her passive in his hands. Yet, rs he
walked on with Essie half running to
keep pace with him, she stole several
wistful glances at his face; and when he
turned sharply round and detected this,
she blurted out the question. Are you
my fatherT
Wyett stared at her and shrugged his
shoulders.
Certainly not. What put such n
queer idea into your head2 / am happy
to say that l am not your father"
"Where is he, then? You know him,
don't your
"How should I?' he queried, in re-
turn. 81 dare say he is dead; but why
do you ask?'
Essie was silent awhile, though her
face was working strangely, and her eyes
moist with tears. Coming suddenly to
a full stop. she abruptly demanded,
'Then where are we going? What makes
you take me awayF
Wyett walked on for a few steps with
out replying; but finding that she did not
accompany him, he had to come back to
her.
"Why dctain me now with idle Ques-
tionsP" he cried, impatiently. Il thought
I made you fully understand yesterday
that my plans for your benefit have moth
ing to do with your parentage. You have
a voice which, if properly cultivated, will
make your fortune. l shall have you de-
Gently educated, and taught singing by a
good master. In return for this, | shall
expect you not only to repay me the
sums | shall eXpend on you, but also Il
third Of all the moneys you take when
you appear in public
THAT means that you'll, teach me to
sing everything, and I'm to pay you out
of my earnngs?'
81 don't think | promised you quite
such comprehensive education. But no
matter, we understand each other now,
so please walk little faster. The SOON
err we are out of this neighborhood the
less risk there will be of some one rec
ognizing you, and setting Mrs. Price on
your track
"I'll never so hack!" she gasped. "Ill
be killed hrst"'
Imprisoned you might be, if she found
you," said Wyett, coolly; 'for she ac-
cuses you of going to one of her cup
boards and robbing her"
Its false! I'm no thief! The case is