Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-08-12

en-, eating their supper, so he was able
to go and come undetected.
When he drove down to the gate he
found Nan waiting where he had left
her; but now she had a bundle in her
arms. AS he got out to swing the
driveway grille, the house door opened;
a food of light from the hall lamp
banded the lawn, and there were voices
and footsteps on the veranda. He flung
a nervous glance over his shoulder; Ar
dea and her cousin were returning
down the foot path. Wherefore he
made haste, meaning not to be caught
again, If he could help it. BUT the fates
were against him. Longfellow, snatch
ed ruthlessly from his half emptied oat
box, made equine protest, yawing and
veering and earning himself savage
cut Of the whip before he consented to
place the buggy at the stone mounting
step.
Quick" said Tom, flinging the reins
on the dashboard. Chuck your bum
die under the seat and climb ini"A
But Nan was provokingly slow, and
when she tried to get in. with the bun
die still in her arms, the buggy
hood was in the way. Tom had to help
her, was in the act Of lifting her to the
step, when the wicket latch clicked and
Ardea and Miss Euphrasia came out.
They passed on without comment, but
Tom could feel the electric shock of
righteous scorn through the back of his
head. That was why he drove half
way to the lower end of the pike before
he turned on Nan to say:
What's in that bundle you're so
careful Of? Why don't you put it I'M
der the seat?"
II reckon you wouldn't want me 70
do that, Tom jeff" she answered, SIM
ply. Hits my baby-my little Tom"
He was struck dumb. 1t often hap
pens that in the fiercest storm of gos-
sip the one most nearly concerned goes
his way without SO much as suspect.
ing that the sun is hidden. But Tom,
had not been exposed to the violence
of the storm. Mans shame was oldI
and the gossip tongues had waggeq
themselves weary two years beforet
when the child was born So Tom WASP
quite free to think only Of his companA
ion. A great anger rose and sWelledk
in his heart What scoundrel had
taken advantage of an ignorance sol
profound as to be the blood sister Of
innocence? He would have given mucnl
to know; and yet the true delicacy of
a manly soul made him hold his peace.
Thus it befell that they drove in 81
lence to the deserted cabin on the hill
side; and Tom went down to the foun-
dry office and brought a lamp for light
The cabin was a mere shelter; but
when he would have made excuses,
Nan stopped him.
Hits as good as been usen to, as
you know mighty well, Tom-Jeff. I on'y
wisht-'
He was on his knees at the hearth,
kindling a fire, and he looked up to
see why she did not finish She was
sitting on the edge of the old watch
mans rude bed bowed low over the
sleeping child, and again sobs were
shaking her like an ague fit. There
was something heartrending in this ST.
lent, wordless anguish: but there was
nothing to be said, and Tom went IN
making the fire. After little she sat
I'D and continued monotonously:
HE was liken to me thataway, too;
the Man at I heard your Uncle Silas
tellin' about one night when I sot on
the doorstep at Little Zoar-He hadn't
no place to lay His'n head; not so
much as the red foxes r the birds
and I ha1nt-".
The blaze was racing up the Chin
new now with cheerful roar, and Tom
rose to his feet, every good emotion in
him stirring to it's awakening:
such as it Is, Nan, this place is
YOURS, for as long as you want to stay"
he said, soberly. And then: you
straighten. things around here to suit
you, and Til be back in a little WHILE"
He was gone less than half an hour,
but in that shore interval he lighted
another fire: a blaze of curiosity and
comment to tingle the ears and loosen
the tongues Of the circle Of loungers in
Hargis store in Gordonia. He ignored
the -hugging contingent po1ntedly
while he was giving his curt orders to
the storekeeper; and the contingent
avenged itself when he was out Of
hearing.
'Te-hee!" chuckled Simeon Cantreu
the elder, pursuing his lips around the
stem Of his corn cob pipe; looks like
Tom-Jeff was goin' to house-keepin'
right late in the evenin'."
by gol. wonder what's doin'?" said
another. Reckon he's done TUX mp
with Nan Bryerson. afte' airs been said
an done?"
Ito be continued.)