Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-08-10

compared to the jewel he would have
| had in his little Sallie; but since he was
TO longer free she would see to it that
| these attentions to Sallie would cease.
| As a result of this determination on the
part of the aunt, Sallie now became con-
scious of q change in Bruce, and, like
thunderbCit from clear sky, came at
| last the announcement of his approach
/ ing marriage Not from Bruce himself,
nor from his aunt, did she gain this
| knowledge but through a chance remark
she had heard at the village.
Bruce must not know, neither must
his aunt nor her mother, nor any one
| else She was thankful now that she
! had never expressed her admiration for
him to any of her friends. She would
brace herself for the ordeal and remain
! till after the marriage, for to leave sud-
denly now. when it was known how
dearly she loved the place, must inevita
bly, bctray her secret. She would not
have them say she had gone to the farm
expressly to throw herself at Bruce
COnkiin's head. Yes. she was a slip of
girl. as he said, 6 silly little thing to be-
licve that he could have meant anything
by his endearments and his kisses. She
was but a child in spite of her sixteen
wears: il was but natural that man
should be deceived by her appearance
and take the liberty to caress her when
ever he chose as he might caress a baby
in its mothers arms. When would it be,
! she wondered!
A month passed, and, as yet, there
we're no preparations in evidence for the
important event. What mystifed her
was a Sudden and great change that had
taken place in Bruce. He scarcely spoke
to her now, or to his aunt, either. Some
thing had happened to cast gloom over
the home, but, whatever it was, it was
clear that they did not intend to confde
in her.
"How does he take it %
1t was at the postoffice, while waiting
for the mail to be distributed, that she
overheard the remark. Two young men
lust behind her were conversing in a low
tone of voice.
Rather hard, believe. But Bruce
is a sensible fellow and I think little
reasoning will convince him that it was
for the best. He could never have lived
happily with that sort of girl. / feel
sorry for him, though. To learn, with
out moments warning, that your
sweetheart has become the wife of some
other man must be painful beyond con-
ception.'
The window opened at this iuncture,
and but for the rush that followed,
Sallie felt that those nearest her must
have heard the beating of her heart.
Could she be glad now that she knew
the nature of the trouble which had been
evident to her for some time? And yet,
in her self-reproach, how could she stitle
this great joy which was thrilling every
fiber of her being?
Two years had passed. They had re-
stored Bruce to semblance of his for
mer self again and had added little to
Sallie's stature.
"My hand right here he said, indi
eating the spot on his breast, was just
level with the top of your head, and
now see how much [ must raise it" He
threw out his arms as he ceased speak
ing, encircling her neck, and drew her
close to him.
"Sallie, love you. You don't know
how dearly. Let me present you to my
aunt as the future mistress of my home.
May II"
Sallie's brown eyes opened wide as she
raised them searchingly to his own.
Bruce, do you mean 1T?
do [ mean it,"
"But Pm SO little. Pm such slip of
girl. What would your aunt say"
But you are 1872
cam [? l would not have imagined
it."
Both laughed.
How well you remember