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

home here-that yon wish you had never
seen me-that you begrudge the food
you have given me to eat, the clothes
you have given me to wear-the shelter
for my head-lhe books, the money you
have spent for me-say it all. | most
heartily wish I had never been be-
holden to you for the value of pin
Bnt, Heaven helping me, will pay you
for it in silver and gold some day--and
I shall be able-remelnber that"
The door was empty. The bright,
proud, handsome, yet wicked face had
taken its strange light from the place; it
was again only d little, rag-carpeted sit
ting-room, with calico lounge, a pine
table, few plain chairs, and grieved
and heart-broken looking woman sitting
by the window-the sunlight coming in
through tangled branches, a few full-blowp
roses sending faint perfume over
all.
The work dropped from Annie's fingers
and fell to the floor. Her head dropped
too, within her outspread palms, and she
gave way to burst of tears and sobs that
shook L.her frame. 1t was strange to see
her thus affected, her demeanor was nat
uralIy so quiet, her manner so constrain-
ed. But some irrepressible anguish now
seemed to bear her down lower, deeper,
until it was as if tho very flood gates Of
her grief were opened. 1t was long
time before the tears stopped coursing-
the sobs ceased, but they did at last. The
eyes were bathed in rose-water, here and
there stray paper or book was placed in
its proper position, and the lonely woman
was sewing again with a sadder look.
An hour had passed when step was
heard in the kitchen. Annie called out,
''Who's there?"
ats T." Annie knew her brothers
voice, although its beauty and calmncss
were gone, and it sounded strangely
hoarse.
"Come in here, Horace"
After moments more irresoute walk
ing ard funbIing about, he came into the
sitting room, hat in hand-then said, or
and going to the accustomed place, hung
The hat up and returned again. He walk
ed once or twice across the floor, moving
his lips, then threw himself upon the sofa
face downward. His sister glanced pity
ingly towards him, and said, "Horace,
wouldn't you like to read to me?'
''Read -" he looked up in bewilder-
ed manner-"O, read, l don't believe l
could, Annie. I'm not very well this af-
ternoon." Again that feyerish wetting
of the lips, and again he threw his head
in one corner of the lounge, while half
stihed cry escaped him.
Horace, you make me feel dreadful
ly," said Annie. 'I-I'm SO sorry you
care anything about her."
"God forgive me, Annie, but I would
die for ono smile from that girl!' he ex-
claimed passionately. springing upright,
his eye and cheek blazing. "Why it is,
| know not, but caunot tear this love
from my heart, 1t is rooted there. O.,
Annie. don't think any less of INC for this.
l am man in spite of this weakness. O,
God, my God, pity me!'
"Horace. brother Horace" Annie was
beside him, throwing back the hot hair
from his hot forehead, that was laying
now in his hands. Her voice and the
quiet touch to and fro seemed to sootho
him for time, and presently he leaned
his head upon her shoulder, aud then
threw one arm about her neck, as he said
with sorrowful sort of a smile, "You
are all the mother I ever knew, Annie,
and I must go somewhere for comfort"
"May God give you comfort" whis-
pered Annie. And then she added, as a
few tears fell he did not see, "may this
trial lead you to him."
"Annie, this was after they had sat
a long while in this position-''do you
think she loves Roger Walters!"
81 am afraid so, DEAR"
s'The villainr' And the young mans
frame shook with strong emotion. San
ME, it would hardly be a sin to rid the
world of that man."
"Horace--Horace, you brighten me,
Horacer'
II say it wouldn't" he repeated al
most savagely.
"Horacew The voice of deep, solemn
significance startled him; he turned to
| look in the face beside him; it was sad,
pitiful, imploring, distrsssed.-"Horace
YOU have embittered my whole life! 0
how can YOU give way to such dreadful