Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-06-15
A TANGLED FAMILY.

solve the problem and no one seemed en-
tirely satisfied except the new husband.
The Vanstone relations were veXed. the
servants sullled, and the widows son
and daughter, Charley and Mile, just
OF age, imagined their prospects bhghted.
oh, George, what shall l do?" said
Mrs. Beverley-which was the lady's new
name-ready to cry.
Don't mind 'em, my dear!" said her
husband with a great rolling laugh.
They're only children; they'll grow wiser
as they grow older
But the squire's determined good hui
NOR aggravated his stepchildren more
than any amount of positive opposition
would have done, and they made no eff
fort to conceal their feelings.
Il never, never can call that man
father!" said Mile
My dear, he doesn't want you to-"
said Mrs. Beverley.
Il can't endure the sight of him"
pouted Mile. And Charley says ex-
actIy the same thing"
Charley is disobedient, ungrateful
son!" sobbed Mrs Beverley.
But here Mr. Beverley came to the
rescue.
~ Dung people," said he, Il don't OBJ
ject to your making yourselves as mis-
cradle as YOU like, but you mustn't tor
ment your mother. I'll have none of
this"
Mile lost no time in carrying this
revolutionary speech straight to her
brother.
Very we'll" said Charley, coolly;
well accept the challenger
III not submit to his tyranny" said
Mile. I've got plan.
$50 have L." said Charley, lots of 'em,
only they don't seem to work when |
try to put them into practice"
I've been writing to Louise Vane,"
said Mile.
1t seems to me as if | had heard the
name before. now that you mention it"
said Charley, rumpling up his brown. cur
" hair. But why should you write to
her?-and what has she to do with our
affairs? ?"
She sympathzes so thoroughly with
me-" said Mile. ''She considers second
marriages as sinful as | do. And she
has asked me to come to her and stay as
long as / please. There is a nice hotel
in the village, Charley; and her father
is very hospitabIe. And there is fine
supply of trout and delightful shooting,
Louise writes, and plenty of agreeable
society,"
Not bad idea" said Charley reAec-
lively.
oh. George. what shall we do?" cried
Mrs Beverley, turning pale when she
comprehended that her children were
gone.
Give 'em their heads" said her hus-
band, composedly drinking his coffee.
Never drive young colts with too tight
a rein. They'll be glad to come back
in six weeks or less"
But it's such a fuss about nothing"
saIu Mrs Beverley, half laughing, half
crying.
THAT'S the beauty of it," said her hus-
band. That's precisely what they en-
ioy!" and the jolly fellow shook with
laughter.
Louise Vane received her former
schoolmate with effusion.
Her father, a stately, middle aged gen
tleman, spoke few kindly words of wei
come.
oh, dear!" said Mile, when she was
alone with her friend, Il do hope we
shall not disturb Mr. Vane.''
Nothing disturbs papa said Louise.
He will never think of noticing such
chicks as we are. Every old maid and
widow in the village has tried to marry
him ever since poor mamma died"
How dare they" said indignant Mil
lie Il think the Legislature ought to
pass Il law against second marriages.
lney are wicked, sinful; an outrage on
civiliaztion!"
"Of course they are said Louise. But
don't worry, darling. Remember that
you are with me now
And the two callow young doves fiut-
tered into each others arms, with re-
newed vows of eternal friendship.
Three months of happiness at Vane
Lodge followed. Mile and Louise read
their favorite authors together, and
worked hideous screene and impossible
portieres in crewels.
And all this time neither she nor Char
ley wrote line to Mrs Beverley.
i am afraid they have discarded me"
said the poor lady. Il fear that they
never mean to forgive me-" she added
with deep sigh.
MY dear, don't be a goose!" said her
husband You don't regret our mar
riage. do your
Never" said Mrs. Beverley, with
CLEAN of spirit.
Neither do II said Mr.. Beverley,
laughing.
But one day Mr.. Vane called his daugh
ter into his study, with a serious face,
and when she came out she was drowned
in tears. and fled straightway to the
haven of her dearest friends room.
"Darling!" cried Mile, what is the
matter? Tell me, l beseeeh YOU
The worst that could possibly hap
pen!" cried Louise tragically. Papa is
going to marry again"
Mile crimsoned to the very roots of
her hair.
He told me so himself said Louise.
L never stopped to ask him who it was
that was to desecrate our happy, happy
home. l just clasped my hands and