The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-05-19

blushing, Tom"
'Pshaw!" replied Mr.. Wellsby, how
can you make such charge against me,
don't you know | rouge, as they do in
PARISH
land you return me my-my ladylove,
heart-whole?"
"Quite," replied Mr.. Wellsby, with a
sigh and an undesirable constraint of man
ner, ''she is really delightful-but can't
stop now-Pve an engagement. Call
soon, my dear Frank-delighted to see
YOU"
And Mr.. Wersby fastened out without
giving his friend time to reply. Frank
gazed after him in silence for some mo-
ments; then going into his chamber, which
adjoined the office, he made rapid toilet,
and fastened to the fine mansie of Mr.
Orsin.
Miss Ellen sent word that she was en-
gaged-would Mr.. Lee please excuse her ?
The young fellow gazed at the servant
with perfect bewlderment, and was only
awaked from his rcvcrie of surprise, so to
speak, by the closing door. Then with
an up and down movement Of the head,
he retreated. and soon regained his Office.
On the next morning, he called again.
Miss Ellen regretted that she was indis
posed-a violent headache must be her
excuse for not seeing Mr.. Lee.
"Very WE'LL" said the young man COM
pressing his lips, "to-morrow sh; IL ter
inmate the affair"
And duly on the next day he made
his decisive trial. This time Miss Ellen
was ''not Mt home," and her visitor bowed
calmly with the air of n man that is not
ut all astonished. He walked ten PAGES,
and then quickly turned his head, fixing
his eyes upon window which he knew
to be the young lady's chamber. AS be
did so. corner of the gauze curtain fell,
and an arm with a bracelet upon the wrist
was quickly withdrawn. Now, this brace
let was turquoise which Frank had pre-
sented to Miss Ellen.
The young man went without word
to the lodgings of Mr.. Tom Wellsby, and
his visit seemed to discomfort that gentle
man greatly.
"Why, how goes it, Frank?" he sa,d.
pointing to a cigar" haven't seen you
for three days. Where have You been =
he added, avoiding his trends eve.
Scaling upon Miss Orsin," was
Franks reply, as he declined cigar.
"Ah! calling upon Mss Orsin, eh |?
not upon EHen2' was Mr.. Wellsby's ra-
ther uneasy question.
Il say Mss Orsin, replied Frank, "be-
cause having made three visits, and having
found myself turned away at the thresh-
old, l can no longer count the young
lady as one of my friends"
"Ah. is it possible" said Tom Wells
by, coloring with pleasure, "but really,
Frank, that is shameful"
eyes, perhaps"
"And I'll tell you what is more shame
full STILL" cried Tom, throwing aside his
dressing gown, and rising suddenly, "I'll
make clean breast of it, Frank, and
acknowledge my disgrace. 1 have been
false friend. I have betrayed my trust
I have gone, day after day, and looked
into those dangerous eyes, and played my
airs and graces, like miserable sham
gentleman, and made your sweetheart
forget you-give you up for fellow that's
not one-tenth as worthy of respect.
say I've acted like scoundrel-that
have no respect for myself-that this
lady loves me, and | love her, there it is,
1 have talked it out, miserable bumbuss
that am, and if you wish, you may take
that stick and cane me as l deservew
The honest fop had quite forgotten his
drawl and languor-his eyes flashed, and
his form grew straight and manly, as he
gazed with a color in his cheeks upon bis
injured friend.
Frank Lee remained silent, however,
concealing his thoughts perfectly, beneath
calm and thoughtful mask.
"You don't answer mer' said Tom
Wellsby, passing from shame to anger
81 suppose you despise me too much
I've made an honest eonfessior-I'll new
er 90 near her again-if after that you
are not satisfied, you may do as you
pleaser'
"My dear Tom," said his frienl, look
inc at the irate countenance, with a smile
which gradually expanded and illumina-
ted his whole face, Il don't answer be
cause really am at a loss for words to
express my admiration of your honesty