Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-04-15
CHAPTER x.

1t was certainly an awkward prcdica-
ment FOR n pacific negotiator to be placed
In. To attempt to reason or treat with
Lestelle while a fiery young lover stood
beside her would be useless; yet how tt
retreat Darcy knew not.
Percy turned into the morning room,
with the assured aid Of one to whom the
way was familiar; and his cousin obeyed
his reckoning finger and followed 1t
was untenanted only the little spaniel
lifting his head from his cushion, and
wagging his tail in grateful recognition
of his surgeon.
One-two minutes elapsed, and Les
telle came hurriedly into the room. Her
first glance and bow was for Darcy, her
next for Percy, who was jealousy watch-
ing her. Before she could speak to either
OF the cousins, Percy strobe forward,
and, selling both her hands, exclaimed:
do you know who this is, or why he
is here2 Do not listen to word he ut
tiers; for he has been falsely pretending
friendship for me, only that he might be
the better able to play the spy upon my
actions"
Lostelle colored rs she looked from one
to the other; but the manly frankness OF
Darcy's mien seemed to reassurc her.
"You are too hasty in your conclus-
IONS" she exclaimed, as she disengaged
her hands from Percy's grasp. "Mr. Les
mere has not said anything yet of which
either you or l have reason to complain"
LET him speak, then" cried Percy,
suddenly, "if he Is not ashamed Of the
errand that has brought him hers. Let
him say-openly and honorably, ah's in
my prescnce-why he comes!o
Lestelle, whose shopely fingers were
now laid lightly on the arm of the ex-
cited youth, gave Darcy questioning
look, and chatting a little at the taunts
addressed to him, he answered it prompt
ly:
Madam, / must premise that | have
nothing to say to Percy, nor will agree
to his being present at the audience you
have promised me. My business is with
you, and you only. | come to you the
bearer of a message from Gen. Glen
aughton."
Lestelle's eyes flashed and her bosom
heaved.
"Gen. Glenaughton condcscends to send
to me--to me, the dcspised actress! Then
l will hear you, sir! You shall repeat
to me word for word what he has said.
You need not fear that ! shall take Of
Tense at few harsh cpithets / am ac-
customed to have my simplest actions
misrepresented; and from Gen Glenaugh-
ton one ought to be able to bear a great
deal"
Percy would have interfcrcd again,
but she stopped him.
"Sit down. dear friend. I will send
Miss Hill TO you till l can return. BE
calm. DO you forget!"
She finished her sentence In so low n
tone that it was audible only to the still
angry Percy, who walked to the window,
frowning and biting his nails. Signalling
to Darcy to follow her, she led the way
to fanciful little boudoir, and pointed
to chair opposite the one in which she
seated herself.
"Without permitting myself to be
swayed by your cousins remarks she
said, with sorrowful smile, Il am oblig-
ed to sec that l guessed rightly when
| said that you are not amongst my we'll
wshers. And yet ! have never done
anything to incur your dislike, Mr.. Les
mere"
There were icars in her eyes as she
spoke, and Darcy felt~eonfused. If this
were acting, what Il consummate mis-
tress of the passions she must be! He
stecled his heart against her, and an
swered gravely, mo one who saw Gen.
Glenaughton as | have seen him, sad
and troubled at the conduct Of his son,
could feel very well disposed towards
the lady to whose influence over Percy
he is compelled to attribute it.
(ro be continucd.l