Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-12-18


out | think, under Greville's peculiar cir
cumstances- grandfather's great age
and precarious health and his loneliness
having no parents or brothers, and sisters
belonging to him-that an engagement
might be allowed It will make him hap
pier, and give him heart for his work. In
general, Allie, l do not approve of long
engagements for young people, they are so
unsettl1ng; but you know Greville's cir
cumstances as we'll as l do. He is his
grandfather's heir; in two years he might
we'll marry
Then you approveT raising her eyes
at last to her aunt's face
Don't you know Greville is my own
boy? He is even dearer to me than you;
you must not be sorry to hear that. One
day I will tell a sad little story about
myself, how girls self-will and temper
lost her the noblest lover woman could
have.'
II guess who it was; always knew"
murmured Alison.
"Greville is dear to me for his fathers
sake" returned Miss Darlington, almost
solemnly. 'No more of this just now,
Allie. If you love me, dear child you
little know how happy it makes me to
know my two darlings are to be united"
Really and truly happy, Aunt DIE"
Yes, surely, dearest; and this has
been the wish of Mr.. Moore's heart. All,
here comes Greville he looks almost as
shy over it as you do, Allie"
But, shy or not, there was no mistak-
ing the expression of proud happiness on
the young mans face. A look passed be-
tween him and Miss Darlington, and then
she held out her hand.
"Well, Greville, have you come to be
scolded?'' she asked, playfully.
eyes, but you would not have the heart
to do it," was his reply. "Cara," with a
pause on the old name, show could / help
it?' And his glance was sufficiently eo-
quent
swell, Greville. 1 think you are wor-
thy even of her." And now something
like the glimmer OF unshed tears softened
the keen gray eyes. "God bless you, my
boy you have fulfilled the great wish of
my heart"
There was a little more talk after this,
and then Greville said, "Alison, l think
we ought to go to my grandfather this
will make his very happy" And then
Alison obediently rose.
There was touching scene with the
old man. when the messenger comes,
my boy will not be left desolate, he will
have Sunny to comfort him." he said.
And again his hands were placed on her
bright hair to invoke a blessing.
Rogers turn came next. He had been
out all day on a fishing excursion, and
on his return Greville had waylaid him,
and told him the news. Alison. who was
sitting at her window, trying to compose
her futtered spirits, saw them coming up
the garden walk together, and a few
minutes afterward there was hasty step
at her door. and Roger burst into her
room.
She knew how glad he was by the way
he took her in his arms and kissed her,
even before he had uttered a word.
But it came at last.
"Allie, l never was so pleased in my
life. Of course 1 knew it was coming.
He is a fine fellow; you are giving me
Just the sort of brother l wanted, and
I am greatly obliged to you"
''He told you then?" little bashfully.
eyes, he had been waiting ever so long
by the river bank. 1t is my belief that,
like King Midas, he had been whispering
his secret to the rushes. l wish you
could have heard what he said about you.
He has thoroughly convinced me that he
fully appreciates you"
81 am so glad you will be friends"
returned Alison, simply, quite ignoring
the latter part of Rogers speech; in her
modest opinion of herself, she never ceas-
cd wondering at Greville's lover-like
sneeches it was dear and kind Of him to
saw such things, she thought, but she did
not deserve them.
She said as much to him one day, when
their engagement was but a week old, but
he turned decidedly willful.
81 shall think of you just as l like"
he said. quietly, land / know l shall
never alter my opinions. l don't care
what YOUR faults are; you are perfect IN
nv ewes. just because you are Alison.
And after this she gave up the point.
Rut on the evening before she left
Noss-side she and Aunt Diana had one
Of their long talks. Greville had just
left them. grumbling, in spite of an in
vitation to breakfast the next morning,
and though he knew that he was expected
o. The Holms in six weeks time, to make
aconaintance with Alison's home, and to
introduce himself to Mr.. Merle. But
Mice Darlington paid no attention to his
ho,;sb discomfort; this hour belonged to
bar she said. in decided manner; Gre
Vile might talk to Roger, but she wanted
Allie to herself.
So while the two young men paced up
and down by the river, Alison and Miss
Darlington sat in the dim studio, looking
ont into the moonlight. There was so
much that they had to say to each other
on this last night.
sYou do not think me too hard-hearted
to insist on a two years engagement
Allie?" Miss Darlington said presently.
s.Mr, Moore has begged me over ana over
again to reconsider my decision, but IN
deed. think Greville is too young tor
such a responsibility. In two years ne
will be five-and-tw twenty"
ST would not have it otherwise, Aunt
two