The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-09-28

81 wish you could ride Beauty" he
said, looking back.
II wish l could" Annie answered ;
"but / can't, you know. ! never knew
how, aud I'm too old to begin.-Be
back in time for supper"
More than one beautiful girl looked
after Horace, as he sat so straight, so
gracefully on the back of his handsome
steed.
go by Roger Walters's house" said a
peryerse spirit, as Horace put his horse to
greater speed. He answered it by going
in a totally different direction at the start,
but managed sh angcly enough to take a
circuitous route, aud come directly past
the house in question on his return. 1t
was strange tableau-he too it in at
once, without glaueing that way. Rose
Walters sat at the open bay-window-a
snowy girl, with bead full Of auburn
curIs, and very pink checks. Susan Luke,
dark, calm, and regally beautiful, sat
opposite. Both girls were talking and
laughing at young Lawyer Walters, who
stood outside, his arm resting on the low
window-sill, his attitude graceful-carc-
less-his white teeth shining under q
moustache of questionable color, a cane
dangling from one hand, when its ivory
handle was not in contact with his lips.
A feyerish fire ran through the veins of
the rider, and lis lips parched again as he
took this in, seeing that they recognized
him, hearing also the drifting Of light,
musical laughs and murmers that grated
against his nerves as if they were thrown
at him. His selfcommand was gone,a land
it Yves not till long after candlelight that he
threw himself off his horse ut the little
gate, where Annie stood watching in ter
ror, fearing she knew not what.
30, am SO clad to see YOU, And
she drew a long breath that sounded al
most spasmodic.
"Glad to see Newell, l don't know
whether I'm glad to get home or not
the evening is so beautiful" he added,
seeing her looks of distress. "Look here,
where is--whcre is-isn't there man
round here! o, pshawl | must SEQ to
the horse myself. Is breakfast ready
yet!"
Breakfast" exclaimed Annie, in tone
of dismay.
"You know well enough that I mean
supper. Hold still, Ball, or you'll taste
the whip; you've wanted it long, you
beast. Get me some tea, Annie. I'll be
in as soon as Bal! is seen to-"
Annie went slowly into the house.
els he demented ?' she asked herself
ale never acted so before in bis life,
never. 0, Susan Luke-Susan Luke,
you will have the ruin of noble soul to
answer for, if this should prove his ruin.
He can't have been drinking! wont be-
lieye it,"
Horace was calmer-quite calm when
he came in again. He looked less like
himself, however. There was blue rim
around his eyes, and whiteness about
the lips, that was very unusual. As for
poor Annie, her eyes were all the time
turned from him. At bedtime he said
he wo I'D sit up and lock the door when
Susan came. He said it calmly, SO she
left him there reading, and went to her
own chamber to pray for him. Ten and
eleven tinkled from the musical little clock
in the kitchen. 1t was later than that
when the latch Of the gate was lifted. The
lamp had been some time unlighted-- the
moon shone SO gloriously There was
a rustling along by the rose-bushes, and
soft murmurs, the words of which Horace
could not but hear-whispered VOWS
YES, it was certain now-she had promis-
ed to marry him. Horace sat still, icy
cold. He even heard the goodnight kiss.
No wonder after Snsan Luke had entered
the kitchen, lighted her own lamp, and
stepped over the threshold to go to hen
room, she started and stood paralyzed al
the sight of that deadly pale face with
drops of anguish on the white forehead,
those beautiful eyes strained, with only
look reproducing her.
"Horacen she said, in a startled
way.
s.Susan Luker he exclaimed, and all
his love leaped into his face, made it for a
moment glorious, for the girl looked very
beautiful as she stood there shining in the
dimness of the room, only the pale rays Of
the caudle falling around her. Suddenly
she saw in that face what she had never
seen before. A pang of great fear shot
into her heart. In that little moment, in
10. ,,,;dp;obt olapna she felt that chr