The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-07-14

since our last meeting. There were deep
lines about her keen black eyes, yet they
had lost none of their kaehhess and the
mouth though thin, and closely drawr
vet retained traces of its former beauty
She looked at us both intently, but when
her eyes met those of Alice, there was a
sweetness and tenderness in their express
! ion which never had seen before.
81 am going to tell you something she
said" (Which may make YOU feel sad,
but cannot now make you unhappy
L know that your happiness is secure, in
your mutual love for each other, and for
your beautiful child I have watched
you Alice, ever since you were a babe
in the cradle, and have watc!el you,
Dir. Ware, ever since the day YOU begun
to love Alice, have always been near
YOU since, and know you are worthy of
each other.
Long ago-I am old now, and this
happened when | was very young-I be-
came attached to- and soon married a
Young man whom | shall call at present
Lewis.
I understand your look Of surprise.-
am not Miss Ross. That is feigned
name; my real name you will know an
hour hence. a1#
l was the only and INDUCED child of
wealthy parents, and from my childhood,
beautiful, capricious, proud. Accustom-
cd to having every wish obeyed, the least
opposition made me resolute in my will.
My acquaintance with Lewis was contra
ry to the wishes of my parents; they ur
ged he to give him up, and |, seeing that
they would never consent to our union,
fed with him from their displcasure.-
He was q wild young man, but did not
care for that, since he was handsome,
gifted, learned, and knew how to display
every accomplishment to the best advan
tagc. But | was his equal, even in learn
ing. No pains, no expense had been
spared in my education; and how I glo-
ried in the consciousness that l was fitted
to be the companion of such a mind as
his.
We loved each other ardently; and
life, viewed by the light of our cnthusi
assn, promised only happiness. My hus-
band had studied medicine, and began
practice in a town at distance from
my native place, We were poor, and
our style of living was very different from
Il at to which l had been accustomed;
but [ found perfect contentment in my
hu stands affection.
In two years a babe was born, and life,
from wild romance, grew suddenly real.
| loved the child, and willingly staid a
way from all social enjoyment to devote
myself to it; and so did he love it; yet
he was vexed that I could not now, at any
moment he wished, leave my infant to
Join him in some amusement. lie began
to learn to do without me in his pleas
ures; and then. for me, began bitterness
of life.
cannot tell you the trouble that en-
sued. Gradually his early habits of dis
sipation returned, until he grew reckless
and passionate, and impatient and wea-
ry. Yet, even then, at intervals he would
be penitent, and, with the most ardent
promises, would seek to regain my affec-
ton. But that he always had. | loved
him more than all human beings, even
when he wronged me most. strove to
win him back to homie affections; [ inn
plored him to pity his innocent child, ev-
en- if he had no. more love for me. He
would be softenod for while, would ca
ress me, call rne his good angel, but at
he first tempt alton the wine cup would
be lifted to bis lips, and misery would
follow.
One night as I sat alone, rocking my
child, then year DID, and weeping over
my sorrowful lot, there was knock at
my door, and young man, and old ac-
quaintance and neighbor Of my girlhood
entered. He brought a message from
my father, now my only parent, who was
dying, and had sent for me to come and
receive his blessing and forgiveness. The
words sent thrill of JOY through my
heart.
"When shall I go2' l asked of young
William Gray.
"Now" he answered; II was desired
not to wait for you an hour, but to bring
you Immediately back with me-" To all
appearances your father is Oh his death
bed, and he longs to see your face once
more"
Il will instantly, replied and lay
| inc nv babe iii the cradle, | called my
servant-girl to watch her. | knew that
Lewis might not be in before morning