Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-08-11
CHAPTER VI.

yourself for the past week? Why were
You not at Ascot? | hear you threw
aver three invita- tons for the week With
sui ever giving q reason. DO you not
know that the whole London world-the
senate world. mean-has been langulsh-
me and pining without you! The Park
Aas been A wilderness and birmingham
a desert waste. Rumor says you have
Aeen away making love to rustic beauty
among the roses, and all the women have
cried their eyes out for spite and envy!
yours remain bright enough, at any
zater' said Desmond, in answer to the
above speech, as he sank down into
chair by the speakers side, and looked
at her with a hattering smile of admlra-
iion.
"Ah, you can't tell the state my heart
las been in, thought replied the lady.
She was a handsome woman, with dark
Rocks arranged in wonderful shock over
aer broad brows. To know Mrs. Talbot
was to know a woman of fashion who
was -certain to amuse you, who was ready
GO firt or to pick her most familiar
friends characters to pieces, who was
a walking encyclopedia of the sayings
and doings of all the men and women
about whom there was anything worth
Knowing; and who had that kind of i'm
Dulsiye and delightfully."- affectionate man
aer which leads one to suppose that you
arc the only person of her acquaintance
against whom She could never utter a
word of disparagement.
Even as she sits now in the summer
sunshine of the park, with her white lace
parasoI tipped well over her head, and
aer large, unfaltering eyes turned fully
anon him. she is wondering whether this
absence Of his is in any way connected
with the serious part of his life, or bears
apon the secret she is bent upon unrav-
cling.
What have you been doing?" she re-
9eats.
Eating cherries, principally" ne re-
plies, smiling. 81 was assisted by sew
eral thousand birds and one tree elf"
''And what was she like? Young and
pretty, suppose"
s'She may have been"
She saw that she had gone far enough,
and adroitly turned the subject.
Have you heard" she said, that Fe-
acia Grantley, that good-lOoking girl who
came out last year, has been whipped off
Snto the country by her father, who
wants to force her into a marriage with
Aef cousin, who is younger than herself?
Oh, it's quite a tragedy, l assure you.
The poor girl-between you and me, L
don't admire her, she is too scraggy-
came to lunch yesterday with me, and
she cried her eyes out"
What. for me?"
''Vor you, Mr.. Vanity! Not a bit of it;
for Lord Augustus Wray, fourth son,
you know, with not a penny, and such
q scamp! Of course Felicia has money
aud doesn't care a farthing about his
character but her father won't have it,
and will have her marry her cousin be-
cause there's an old place and a baron
etcy; and they say young Roy Grantley
is in love with some one elsey so there
IS material enough for a three-act drama
for your
Roy Grantley,' repeated Brian,
thoughtfuIly. Where had he heard that
aame before? Was it not Kitten who
Aad spoken once of a Roy Grantley who
was a boy and who worshiped her? 1t
would be odd if it should turn out to be
She same.
He was not in love with Kitten: he
lad no symptoms of any jealous feeling
concerning her; but yet he had a curl
Gus feeling of satisfaction at hearing
shat some one else was to marry this
unknown youth.
THE best thing Miss Grantley could
do, | am sure he said. Her father
is quite right to save her from black
guard like that"
DO you think so? But then if a won-
an loves man madly. desperately, do
you think she cares what he is:'
This Mrs. Talbot said softly, under
aec voice. and flashed her bold eyes
neaningly into his.
.'Oh, well, she ought to care." an
swered Brian. careIessly. Excuse mel
Snd he jumped suddenly up from his
chair. Il see friend l want to speak
co.
tie dashed away down the crowded
path. Gertrude Talbot was red with an
2ec; she leaned forward and followed him
Gageriy with her eyes. Who had he left
.Aec for? After what woman had he
pushed away so precipitately? 1t was no
woman, only a bent. white-haired old
maa whom she saw him run after and
arrest.
What. Professor, is this indeed you,
altering in Hyde Park at 1 O'Clock in
Abe day? Wonders will never cease.
sat Mr. Laybourne, you are not looking
weE"
81 am not we'll" he answered, "a
stSie over tired, | think. l am up in
xown for this great scientific gathering
If which no doubt. you know. Would
Yoa like to hear me speak," asked the
Professor suddenly: have you attended
say of my lectures? Then would YOU
e2ke 10 go tonight? l ana not, of course,
~orFh listening tA in comparison with
iReatIey and Shulton and some Of our
best men: but l have a ticket TO give
ssway. good place close to the platform,
,Ye. would hear we'll. | have been asked
l4nS il, but | have ii here in my pocket
and I had sooner give it TO you. Des-
a@aad. than to any mere acquaintance.
gasese it is, would you like to go:''
Rapidly through Desmond's brain