Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-07-29


Vulnerable likenesses and unlikenesses.
She carried his picture in tiny locket
about her neck, and on her desk was
porcelain painting of him.
She glanced smilingly at the dozen
different caricatures each newspaper
had proudly named as the "only true
likeness" of the mighty one. Then,
with queer little pang at her heart.
she opened the secret compartment OF
her desk and drew forth an old photo
graph of Billy Chalmers. She looked
into the handsome, serious eyes long
and earnestly; little sob caught in
her throat. How she had loved him!
Could 1t be really true. she asked her
self, that he had changed so much
and cared for that other (0, cared
enough to marry her. as report said?
A sharp rap on her door interrupted
the painful train of thought. and Sylvia
rose and turned the knob, schooling
her face into unconcern 1t was a spe-
cial, in Billy's own handwriting, and
she tore open the envelope with Grim
soning cheeks:
Dear Sylvia" 1t ran. May call at
four on matter of Importance? Am
sailing at daybreak for Germany to
take up the study of medicine in Ber-
lin. Please do not refuse me.-Billy."
For an instant Sylvia stood holding
the sheet between trembling, Icy fin
gers. Should she see him? All the
fierce resentment and wounded pride
of the past year surged up In her de-
tense; with a swift impulse she seized
pen and dashed down a single word
and signed it Sylvia"
The succeeding hours were the long
est Sylvia had ever spent in her life,
but Chalmers arrived promptly She
greeted him with her most formal little
manner effectually screening wild in
ward turbulence from his eager pene.
trating glance.
Every attempt he made to lead the
conversation into personal channels
was baked by her, and finally Chal-
mers broke out abruptly:
Look here, Sylvia, the last time
saw you it was an understood thing be-
tween us that as soon as we both grad
uated we'd be"
Have you orgotten-Alline?" she
interposed, coldly.
That affair was all my mothers
doing. Only recently learned of the
report in the paper which you must
have seen. | went at once to Miss Bes-
ter and told her the true situation She
is to be married in April to another
man. We shook hands and parted
fp~fo 20 L
the sum and substance of the whole
thing. BY George. Sylvia! who is that
fellow?" Chalmers had caught sight
of the panel on the mantelshelf, and
the color flooded his face.
Sylvia blushed, too, and said. fool
ishly: Isn't he wonder?"
ITO Judge by the gushiness of the
press-he is" was the half-disgusted
reply.
You know him we'll, of course?" she
queried, fencing for time
"Oh after a fashion! Do your" He
gave her a quick, keen look.
only insthis legendary sort of way"
and she indicated the pile of clippings
on her desk, her eyes travelling COM
prehensively from one wall to another
where were displayed the more or less
ludicrous prints. 81 suppose he's per-
feet idol of the girls. isn't he?"
Chalmers grunted 81 happen to
know that he doesn't care fig for
bat one in the world-and she won't
look at him"
oh" exclaimed Sylvia. what a
stupid she must bel"
Chalmers rose and paced the length
of the room, then back again. He
stopped in front of Sylvia's chair; his
voice had changed when he spoke
rs 1t possible, Sylvia, that this fell
low has supplanted me in your estima-
tion-has taken the old, dear-place
p"
Sylvia laughed constrainedly. e
you see," she said, Il had to have
something to keep up my interest
somebody. Tits a sort of fad, you
know
But If he should come here today,
and ask you to be his wife, would you
listen to him."
suppose-I-should.' was the
very subdued response.
Chalmers bit his lip. Suddenly he
sat down on the arm of her chair and
deliberately drew her head against him.
Listen, DEAR" he began excitedly. "T
want to tell you a few things about
Brown. He had serious accident last
year during one of the big games, and
his people didn't wars him to play
football any more. He didn't make any
rasn promises, but rather than have
them worry. he took an assumed
name"
Sylvia looked up tentatively, her eyes
now wistful, now dancing-red lips
parted.
DO you think he did wrong in this?''
Sylvia shook her head. her black
lashes shadowing the pink rim of her
cheek
Sweetheart, II am Brown"
oh"