Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-11-22

,--uuxg about to leave,
TT@r9FL1E when she whis-
knE5eRS pered:
EbSSSSzsa1JE Don't go. I
kzG11 want to speak to
Have you seen my brother
Xavier Of late?
no. Why?"
"Tben you know nothing OF his I'M
,ordipg marriage?
mot a word. Who is the fortunate
lady," .+ = r,o,,s
want your advice, and, Heaven
laws probably your help. Some
him .hirg strange has happened to him.
within With the last fortnight I had no.
ticpd his haggard looks; and. after
RESTRAINING him several times, he
irformed ne that he intended to mar
~ Mademoiselle Germaine E, a
girl barely eighteen; and he, as you
tnov is forty-three. He refused to
antor into any explanations, and cut
nv restions short with the remark
that be was compelled to marry her.
When few days later, l once more
rofprred to the subject, he went away,
and have not seen him since"
am sorry for you," Iretorted, "but
yavier Is not the first man who makes
fool of himself in that way. He is
very much of age, and probably very
much in love. l therefore do not see
where can be Of any use to you or
to hin"
~ tell you there is a mystery about
tbiS that scares me. Xavier's eyes
looked haunted; I never saw such an
EXPRESSION on any ones face. For our
old friendships sake, find out what
Bat the bottom of it all"
NY dear friend" l retorted, there
is nothing in what you tell me to
show that your fears are justified;
but, since you appeal to our old
friendship, 1 will see Xavier on the
matter"
had known Xavier for some years.
He was a good-natured, easy-going,
Immensely rich fellow, who had idled
through life; he was interested in
horses, but was too lazy and indolent
to have a racing stable.
was not long gathering a few in
teTestng facts. For the last six
MONTHS Xavier had ceased to frequent
bis favOrite club, and he, great
vhStpayer, had deserted the card
table But more alarming symptom
vas that he had taken up spiritualism.
Ny next step was to learn what |
could about Germaine F., the girl
Xavier intended to marry; and this
Is what l heard:
She was born in Vermont, of French
parents, who had died, leaving her in
eaaIge Of poor farmers family. M.
Z, her fathers brother, a large
non manufacturer in Toulouse, being
aadleSs, wrote to these farmers to
say that he and his wife would adopt
Ae orphan; and the money for the
quincy from the United States hav-
Jug been Sent Germaine, then in her
uaf'eenth year, arrived In France.
'ae girl was wofully ignorant, and I'M
"uIn IN her manner, but, being re-
aaHaOly intelligent, soon became
very accomplished.
UeSplte her brilliant qualities, her
Da'e and aunt regretted having
'qoNed her. She showed herself
Nu'"llled and headstrong.
tW Three nights l read works on
spa"uallsm, and when had crammed
NV my head as much as it could con-
su'eltIy hold on that subject, / went
u search of Xavier
at one time I could have found him
~ NY aour of the day; but with all
MAJ. uaOI's changed. it was no easy
~"ei' and dared not call at his
yS I'e lot fear of arousing his sus-
NUN T.oa discovered that every
,. tuesday night he dined at little
S.a sulant near the Montparnasse
au0n' went there early and took
any,, ss4t IN quiet corner. 1t was a
4 ~ pace, patronized by gentlemen
~s Splrit-rapping fraternity.
,' = vas getting late, and I was be-
ss,a 10 lear | should miss Xavier,
an ne came in and sat down at a
san,, 1eaF NE. He gave a quick
,e,,. rs around the room. but did not
a,ss. 'e me- l noticed great
sm - !. N MIN. His careless express
len -Su disappeared, and now and
ann,s Ie would draw his fingers
ssv = MS hair, an action altogether
Ia ,sll0 old chap!" I called out to
Surprise 41O anu stared al ne
tee%4 0' GOrOn, what brings you
" "s al to tell you the truth, I am
sa N. rather queer errand. Come
sss,s n. 70 the cafe at the corner,
be ns se can talk. Perhaps you can
~s Some Information"
2 sers VET F OF an hour later, when
Aaa. seated opposite each other, l
- wat am going to saw - vol,
V pp5sra ln between ourselves. Is
Fs'fecuy."