Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-10-13
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.

her even in the smallest degree, there
was nothing upon the face OF the eartn
which Roy was not prepared to do, OF
dare, or endure. But the question was
not what he would do, but whether re
Ica would feel disposed to sacrifice her.
self to save the reputation OF a woman
whom she knew but slightly, and to
whom she owed nothing whatever.
BY degrees, as he thought it over as
he pondered upon Margaret's suggestion
turning it over and over in his mlnd, an
entirely new and original idea fashed
into his brain.
Why should he not pretend to be en-
gagged? And what good reason could fe-
licia bring forward to refuse her consent
10 a merely nominal engagement which
should last a couple Of months at the
longest? There really seemed nothing
impracticabe to him in the idea Felicia
and he had always understood each other
perfectly and were quite capable OF keep
ing a secret between them.
The more Roy thought about it the
more simple and easy did the whole thing
seem. and the less it entered his mind to
Imagine that his cousin could refuse to
cooperate with him.
Felicia Grantey went about all one
summers day with a cloud upon her
brow. burden of horrible uncertainty
IN her heart, and a most singular letter
Srom Roy in her pocket.
AIR. Raikes had sat for half an hour in
her drawing room, balancing his stick
between his knees, and staring gIoomlly
at the carpet.
''What do you think" he asked her
for the twentieth time; shall l go abroad
with Brian, or mop
you must be the best judge of that
Mr.. Raikes," Felicia had answered cold
EVERY ccldly.
The measured tones struck ice into his
soul. How could he possibly guess that
her heart was in a tumult, and that she
had a difficulty in keeping back her
tears?
Edgar Raikes looked at her glOomily
and miserably She did not care then.
he supposed. whether he stayed or went.
1t made no difference to her; and how.
indeed, could he expect it, or now dare to
frame in words the miserable thoughts
that were surging in his heart; he who
was a pauper. to this girl, whose money
and whose fears of being sought for her
fortune, seemed to stand like forbid
ding angel between him and his chiefest
desire.
u suppose then l had better CO." he
said m.serabE. with an infection that
was almost a question in his voice, and
something wiatful in his eyes which it
was a pity that Felicia was 50 engrossed
with her red and yellow silks as not to
soC.
Tint IS for you to decide" she said
. co.diy.
Her very GOODNESS should, perhaps.
have shown him that she did care, but
he did not understand that. Few men
know women we'll enough not always to
take what they say for what they really
mean. Edgar Railles merely supposed
that his case was hopeless. He shook
hands with her in silence. and left her,
and when the front door had been slam
med upon his departing footsteps, Fell
Cia flung her silks and her plush on to
the ground, laid her head upon the table
in front Of her and burst into tears.
MI this took place in the morning. And
then came Roy's letter, and Felicia went
about her daily business, her shoppings
and her visitings, with a load of anxiety
ou her mind. In the evening she was to
give Roy his answer.
They we're to meet at some private
theatricaIs, and it was there that he
would ask her for her decision, to surely
the strangest proposal which a man ever
made TO woman.
When dinner time care Felicia was
still undecided. For wonder she was
dining Mt home with her father. They
took their places in silence opposite each
other. And Mr.. Grantley began his usu-
al comments.
why didn't you ask Raikes to din
ner?
He IS staying with poor Mr.. Des-
moud; l didn't like to ask him to leave
him"
That very morning Mrs. Talbot saun-
tered down Bond street, when she al
most stumbled into Brian Desmond's
NrWs as he came quickly round the cor
ner of GcosvGnor street.
EIere was 4 chance of mischief making
which our friend Gertrude was not in the
beast lzeiy to neglect. She laughed and
stood still. so Immediately in front of
h:iu eh2t Brian had no chance but to
staad s,ll, too.
You nearly knocked me down" she
cried pIayfully. Then asked quickly:
Any news OF that naughty little truant
Mrs Desmond ?"
I have not heard from my wife to-
day" answered Brian frowningly.
oh! Of course you know where she
is:" she cried lightly. Il tell everybody
so. I've been fighting her battles for her
everywhere. OF course, there is not an
atom Of truth in all the unlind things
people say, rs I tell everybody. No truth
about her. that is to say. Of course, you
are very naughty, bad. man indeedr
Brian'S brow grew black as thunder.
Ne one had dared to breathe word to
him of scandal concerning his wife II
had been Edgar Raikes constant care to
see that no such reports reached his
ears. Gertrude was pretty well certain
thst he had been told of nothing.
Kindly explain yourself, Mrs Tai
hntw ha said hnnrhfily and Sternlr