Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-01-11

if she's really good, as you say she is, hap
piness is bound to come to you both in time
Il feel it will
Thank you," he said gratefully ..its
been such comfort to tell you everything.
l can't believe that I never set eyes on
you before today feel as if I'd always
come to you with my troubles. Perhaps +
did in some other planet-who knows? One
gets queer ideas sometimes when one lives
all alone with Nature and niggers."
Tara laughed a ringing, grlish laugh !;
she, too, was feeling vaguely comforted );
his words had given her a sense of useful
ness that quite new and delightful
She felt her accustomed energy returning
When she got back to Portland she would
begin to look for work. and never stop till
she found it and the memory of this day
should abide with her forever; to be taken
out secretly and enjoyed in the prosaic
days that were to follow
They were pulling down a backwater pre-
paratory to landing for lunch.
DO you know, you're not bit like
other girls, he went on thoughtfully. 81
wonder how many other men have told you
that? If only she was poor or alone,
there'd be some consolation in it ALL
could-oh l could give her things and
Aooh oLtSi HCl, anu perhaps Ill lille Sn6 q
grow to depend on me: But she's got
crowds of friends and admirers, and she's
written a book lately that's brought her in
fortune in fact, she's better off than |
am, and that's saying a good deal. You
aren't clever, are you?"
81 wish l were"
Il DON'T he said emphatically and
they were silent again.
So they shot on for another quarter of
mile, and then, after a little vancouver
ing, they grounded, and he fastened the boat
to an overhanging tree and helped her on
to the bank.
shade of the thick branches to cool before
unpacking the fateful hamper, Canadian
ton.
They watched it lazily
1t contained likewise two people-a man
and a woman. The woman put down her
parasol just as they passed, for the
had temporarily disappeared behind cloud,
and Tara caught glimpse of her face, It
the tall, perfectly-dressed figure to which it
belonged not girlish face exactly but
one that to many people would have been
far more attractive; it was full Of resolu-
ton and dignity, and quite beautiful with
the beauty Of mature, commanding woman
hood. The man. who seemed to be somewhat
her junior, had dreamy wrapt expression,
and a weak mouth. He looked haggard,
Tara thought, as if he had something on his
mind One paddle brushed the dropping
branches of the willow in passing; neither
of the two appeared to be attending much
to their course, or caring where the little
craft carried them they were talking quick
ly and earnestly.
The man spoke softly, but the woman's
voice was peculiarly clear and penetrating.
One of her sentences came quite distinctly
to the oterers under the tree as she was
borne past
'You see Harold he cares. 1t would be
so different if he didn't. l ought not to have
allowed you to come to-day; it was weak
of me. Only"
And they passed out of earshot.
Tara turned towards her COMPANION.
smiling rather mournfully.
81 wonder who cares?" she said softly.
"The river seems full of romances and trag
edies to-day, doesn't it? How wretched they
both looked -
But her companion did not answer he
was engaged in executing violent and fam
tastic cake walk Over his face had come
the glow of joy inexpr essible; he had
changed quite suddenly from a carewcrn
man into a crazy schoolboy.
Tara snatched the hamper out of his way
and backed precipitately.
els anything the matter? Has-has
something stung your" she cried neryously.
Still he capered his antics growing wilder
every minute.
ooh, she doesn't understand - he gasped.
"Bless her innocence, she doesn't under
stand. Oh thank heaven, for all unstable
claret bottles, thank heaven for every
home, too. Get back into the boat, will
you please? At once if you don't mind
we can lunch anywhere. I'm off to town
Why, | don't believe she sees it a bit even
now! Never mind, I'll explain in the train.
and-and I'm going to call on you to-mor-
row if you'll let me and I'll explain more
still!''