Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-05-19
CHAPTER XIV.

Inc pale, clear glow OF the DAWN was
selling on the higher slopes of the hills
when she arose, and all the house was
asleep. The heart-searching Of that long
night had Gained her somewhat. Now
she was chiefly anxious to get away; to
seek forgetfulness of this sad discovery
IN the immediate duty that lay before
her. In the silence of this pale, clear
morning she sat down and wrote mes
sage of farewell, the terms of which she
lad carefully, and not without some smlt-
sngs of conscience, studied during the
Bong wakeful hours:
"Allt-nam-ba, Wednesday Morning.
Dear Archie-A grave duty calls
me suddenly away to the south. No
doubt you can guess what it Isl and you
will understand how, in the meantime
at least, all our other plans and arrange
ments must yield to Al. Probably, as
am anxious to catch the early boat at
TOyers, l may not see you to say good
bye; and so | send you this message.
From your affectionate YOLANDE."
She regarded this letter with much
standardization. 1t was not frank. Per-
Aaps she had no right to write to him
so, without telling him of what had hap
pened the day before. And yet, again,
what time was there now for explana-
aion? and perhaps, as the days and the
months and the years went by, there
might never be need of any explanation.
Her life was to be all different now.
The household began to stir. There
was a cracking of wood in the kitchen;
outside, Sandy could be heard opening
abe doors of the coach house. Then Jane
put in an appearance, to finally close
her young mistress portmanteaus. And
ahen, everything having been got ready,
FAren she went downstairs to the dining
room, she was surprised to find her
father there. "Why did you get up so
early?" said she, in protest.
'Do you think was going to let you
Feaye without saying goodbye" he an
swered. You are looking little better
this morning Yolande-but not well, not
well. Are you sure you won't recon
slider? VIII you not wait a few days,
accustom yourself to think of it, and
chen go, if you will so, with Mr.. Short
Iands?"
''Oh, no, that is all over, papa" said
she. THAT is all settled. l am going
this mornng-now."
i was almost in silence, and with
face overshadowed with gloom, that he
saw the last preparations made. He fol-
Bowed her out to the dog cart. He him
self would fasten the rug round her
knees, the morning being somewhat
chilly. And when they drove away he
stood there for a long time regarding
shem, until the dog cart disappeared at
abe turning Of the road, and Yolande
was gone. This, then. was the end of
shat peaceful security that he had hoped
to find at Allt-nam-ba!
Yolande was not driving this morn
ing; she had too many things to think of.
But when they reached the bridge at the
bower end of the loch, she told Sandy
10 stop and took the reins.
Here is letter for Mr.. Leslie" she
said. You need not take it up to the
house; put it in the letter box at the
gate
Then they drove on again. When they
had climbed the hill she look ed over to
Lynn Towers, but she could not make
cut any one at any of the windows.
There were one or two stable lads about
the out-houses but otherwise no sign of
Rife She was rather glad of that. If
he had waved his handkerchief to her,
could she have answered that signal
without further hypocrisy and shame?
Little did he know what traitress was
passing by. But indeed she was gradu-
ally ceasing to reproach herself in this
way, for the reason that she was ceasing
to think about herself at ALL 1t was of
another that she was thinking. 1t was
his future that concerned her. What
would ali his after-life be like? Would
there be some PREPARATION? Would time
Aaol that If hp1 lpd all thiOpS2
When she got to Gress she saw that
Mrs Bell was in the garden behind the
house, and thither she made her way
Yolande's face was pale, but her man
aer was quite calm and firm.
We'll, here are doings" said the
cheerful old lady. "And l was just hur-
Eying on to get a few bit flowers for We.
Deed we're early this morning"
1T is very kind of you, Mrs. Bell; but
please do not trouble. You expected me,
then? Mr.. Melville told you?"
That he did And I'll just be de-
Sighted to be of any kind of service to We
chat is possible. I'll be ready to so up
30 AIlt-nam-ba by midday; and I'm
thinking I'll take one o the young lassies
vi me, in case there's any needcessity
FOR helping hand The other one will
so very well to look after this place when
Both Mr.. Melville and me are away"
But is he going-is he going away?"
said Yolande, with a sudden alarm.
81 think he is; though it's no my place
so ask" said Mrs. Bell, placidly. Last
night | saw he was putting some things
10 order in the house. And jalouse he
stopped in the laboratory the whole night
through, for he never was in his bed; and
this morning l caught a CLINT O him GO
ing out before any o us was up. l dare
say he was off to one O. the moorland
Eochs to have 4 last day at the trout
belize"
HE is not here, then?' the girl ex-
claimed with dismay in her eyes. Mrs.
Bell. | must see him! Indeed, | cannot