Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-09-22

the meadow under the willow ereesT
How nice it was. the softened lamp
light, the fruit and the flowers, the dim
BACKGROUND of pictures and old OAK IN
the empty room-for the servants had
left them-and Kitten, in her white
dress, with the light shining apon her
corn-gold head, sitting opposite to him
while they capped each others remlnls-
cences Of those happy days long ago
in which Brian Desmond had had no ex-
stence!
brian will be here very soon now,
she said, glancing at the clock. no"
| wish he would come back; let us go
upstairs and wait for him in the drawing
room.'
There was a sound of wheels at the
door. and the bell rang. For one mo-
ment Kittens face was radiant; II 1t had
not been for very shame she would nave
flown downstairs to greet her returning
prodigal, but the consciousness or her
matronly honors prevented her from 40
ing anything so very undignitied.
There seemed to be little delay
downstairs; no manly feet, conscious OF
outrageous lateness, came tearing up the
stairs two at a time-instead, there was
a measured tread of heavy steps followed
quickly by the swish of a woman's sllken
skirts against the banisters; the foot
man threw open the door, and there en-
tered-Gertrude Talbot in amber satin
and black lace, with huge bouquet IN
her hand.
"Ah, my dear little woman she said,
affectionately and gushingly, here l am
again, you see! how too-too lovely anu
delicious you look in that perfect dress!
How well it suits you. L have just come
from Felicia's dinner party thought L
would drive round by your door, and car
nv YOU off with ME to Lady Hunter S;
your brougham | see, is waiting Tor you'
dear, so I can dismiss mine and we can
60 together, and you must follow us IN
a hansom Sir Roy"
"But-you are very kind, Mrs. Tai
bot; but | cannot go with you; my nus
band will be coming back stammeren
Kitten, confusedly.
Gertrude smiled more than ever, snow
ing all her cleaning teeth, AID flnglnS
I'D her black gloved hands with an eX-
pressive gesture.
ooh, my dear child, how delinciously
Young and fresh you are! Don't you see
that-that naughty husband OF yours
had no more notion Of going to Lady
Hunters tonight than your HOFFMAN
had"
"What can you mean-haye you seen
him?" faltered Kitten.
"Ah, 1 understand men better than
you do, child they are all alike, every
one of them-dear creatures, and we
can't do without them, the more's the
pity, but unreliable all of them! Seen
him. my DEAR of course | have; passed
him a few minutes ago, walking with a
very good-looking woman-lt was MS
sister, no doubt" she added, looking
little away from her victim.
''Yes, it was his sister" answered hlt-
ten, very calmly, half turning to Roy;
sit was stupid of me to forget 1t, hut
of course. | remember now. Bran told
me that he was dining with her tonight.
''Then had we not better go on to the
ball?" said Gertrude, considerably taken
abacl: Brian Desmond had no sister, ana
she knew it, but the young wlte's cool-
ness and courage struck her DUMB.
eyes; we will go together to the pan,
assented Kitten, and she went.
''Do you want to break her heart
whispered Roy, angrily to MIS-. IalOos
as they went downstairs. :.
ooh, dear, no! only to open her eyes,
she answered, with Il careless shrug OF
her beautiful white shoulders.
(To be continneh.'