Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-08-19
CHAPTER XIX.

The Deer Trace family and the two
guests from Woodlawn were in the mu-.
sic room when Tom was admitted, with
Ardea at the piano playing war songs
for the pleasuring of her grandfather
and the ex-artilleryman. Under cover
Of the music, Tom slipped into the cir
Gle of listeners and went to sit beside
his mother. There was a courteous
hand-wave Of welcome from Major
Dabney, but Miss Euphrasia seemed
not to see him. He saw and under
stood, and was obstinately impervious
to the chilling east wind in that quar-
ter.
Ardea fingered lovingly on the clos
ing harmonies Of a nocturne, and
when the final chord was struck her
hands fingered on the keys until the
sweet voices of the strings had sung
themselves afar into the higher sound
heaven. Then she turned quickly and
surprised her anesthetized audience.
you poor thfngs!" she laughed. In
another five minutes the last one OF
you have succumbed Why didn't some
body stop me?"
The iron master said something
about the heavy work of the day, ana
helped his wife to her feet The Major
ca ma awake with a start and best1rreo
himself Hospitality, and Miss Euphrasla
rosa to speed the parting guests-or'
rather. the two Of them who had been
invited. In the drift down the WIDE
han Ardea fell behind with Tom, whom
Cousin Euphrasia continued to ignore
81 came to tell you." he said In
Low, tone. snatching his opportunity. l
,+ Gloon until l have fought 1t out
with you"
syou don't deserve a hearing, even
sro,,, vour best friend" was her dis
conra eing reply; but when they were
AZ the door she gave him a formal re-
or;eve .'I shall walk for few min
,tes on the portico to rest my nerves,
sba said. 'Tf you want to come back
ue thanked her gravely, and went
ohadiently when his mother called to
HIM from the steps. But on the Wood
10 MN veranda he excused himself. and
hon the door closed behind the two
I--eoine. he swiftly recrossed the lawns
RI nav the penalty.
THE front door Of the manor-house
yas shut and the broad, pillared porti-
~ Was untenanted. He sat down in
80 of the rustic chairs. The door
oaa,ad and closed and Ardea stood be-
- him She had thrown a wrap
o.rar her shoulders, and the light from
80 rousic-room windows Illuminated
There was cool scorn in the slate
80 eyes. but in Toms thought she
80 never appeared more unutterably
soa,,+,ful and desirable-and unattain
able. -,
c,t him to the heart for its very
.s,ererence. What have you to say
for yourse1! 20.
o,ch to say" he began, penitently. Il
zoe horn foolish, and it seems that I
hsvan,t outgrown it. But. really, If ysu
could know-
.IInhappily, I do know" she inter-
united IF did not. might listen to
vo,, with better patience"
.eIt did look pretty bad" he confess
"a "And that's what wanted to say;
- looked a great deal worse than 1t
was. YOU know"
at am bound to believe what l see
with my own eyes," she reJoined. Per
hans YOU can make it appear that see
Ing is not believing"
"Of course 1 can't II you take that
attitude" he complained. And then he
sold irritably: You talk aboat friend
shin, You don't know the meaning of
the world"
"If I didn't, should hardly be here
AZ this moment" she suggested. You
don.t seem to apprefend to what de-
grading depths you have sunk
His sins in the business field rose
before him accusingly and prompted
a. reply.