The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-08-24


around my neck.
Will any one helieyeit? My wife had
scarcely left me five moments before the
fancy came to me that l had shown too
plainly the power she hal over me. For
months | had been schooling myself into
GOODNESS and Indifference, and at her very
first warm kiss or sInile, ] was completely
r,sted. She had vexed, and thwarted,
and annoyed me much during those
months; it would not do to pardon Ler 50
fully and entirely before she had even
asked my forgiveness. / took a sudden
resolution; and, when she came back into
the room, was buried in my papers once
more. Poor child. She had had one
hat hours sunshine, at least.
'One momcnt,' she said, taxing the pen
out OF my hand, and bedding something
up over my head, Il have birthday gift
for YOU. Do you want it?
.If you give it 10 me, certainly.
'lhen ask me for it.
| said nothing, but took up my pen
again. Her conference fell little.
Would you IKE It e she said timidly.
There was saint in old times, said,
quietly, going on with my papers, "a name
sake Of nine, 10y the way--Saint Francis
of Sales-who was accustomed to say,
that one should never ask or refuse any
thing
We'll. But pm not talking 10 Saint
Francis: / am talking to you. Will you
have my little gift? Say yes-just to
please nie-just to make my happy day
sill happier
Don't be child. Alice
1t is childish, l know but indulge me
this once. 1t is such little thing, and it
will mike me very happy
Il shall not refuse whatever you choose
TO give me. Only don't delay me long,
for | want to 90 on with these papers,
The next moment she threw the toy "a
pretty little bronze inksiand made like
Cupid, with his culver full "Opens at my
feet, and turned away gr;eyei and angry.
I stopped to pick up the figure-it Was
broken in Two.
oh, you can coudescend TO lift it from
the ground;' she said, sarcasdcally.
'Upon my word. Alice, you are the
most uures s)nabIe Of beings. However,
the little god OF love can be easily mend
ed
Yes
She placed the fragments one upon the
other and looked at me.
1T can be mended, but the accident
must leave its t;ace, like all others. Oh,
Francisr she added, throwing herself
down by nv chair, and lifting my Land
10 her lips, why do you try me so! Do
YOU really love me.'
Alice said, impatiently, do get up.
You tire me-
rbe rose and turned very pale.
Il will 90 then. But first answer my
question. Do you love me, Franc;sT
felt anger and obstinacy in my heart
nothing else. Was she threatening
me?
Did you love me when you married me,
Francis?
Il did. But
But YOU do not love me now 2
Since you will have it, sad,
$50 on.
Il do not lore you-not as you mean
There was dead silence in tho room
as the lying words left my lips, aud she
GREW 50 white and gave mo such look
Of anguish that repented Of my cruelty,
and forgot my anger.
4 d. not mean that, Alice l cried
'You look i'll and pale. Believe me, l
was only iesting.'
Il can bear it, Francis. There is moth
ing on this caub that cancel be bofne-
III one wav or cnothef.
She turned and left the room, quietly
and sadly. Tue Sunshine faded justthen,
End only white, pale Fight came though
The window. [ so connec,ed it with her
sorrow, that 10 this day | can never see
toe golden radiance come aud 60 across
my path without the same shsrp, knife
Ike pang that felt then as The door clos
Cd behind l.er.