The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-04-11

gave him for his roughness 10 myseiI, IN
witnessing the difference which he dis
played to my sister
He gave her the seat by the window,
and himself occupied the stool by her side.
never saw man change as he changed
under tho influence of my sisters pres
ence; he become absolutely fascinating
in bis conversation, and when he arose to
depart, | could not tell whether most
liked him or desp;sed him. He would
do hims IF the honor of calling again soon
apd as Tsaw the pleasant smile which he
bestowed upon Hildred at parting, won
dered if he could be thesame person that
had come in upon me half hour before
SO impolitelv-not to say rudeiy.
Mr.. Rayenwood came again and again
to call upon us; and at length a terrible
misgiving crept into my soul, and made
me restless and unhappy. Perhaps h.
loves my sister-msy be he means her i'll
oh, Heaven, if it should be! | threw
down my work and ran into my little bed
room where she was sleeping-for it was
late in the night and had set up to fin
ish some sewing which | had promised to
have done the following day. l woke
her up.
"Hldred, I cried passionately, "do you
love Paul Ravenwood Z"
A SILVER of evident terror passed over
her, but she answered me instantly.
NO, Faith. His presence fills me
with the same dread which l feel wi Ell [
see a serpent hidden in a bed Of beauti-
full flowers, What made you ask me
Faith 2"
"Notling dear chile, go to sleep now
1t was only fancy of mine" aAd |
passed out OF a great burden.
A few days after this Mr.. Ravenwood
came in one morning and asked for a
private interview. Instinctively | felt
what was coming, and l shrank before
| it.
"Faith Miburn," he said as we were
alone, Il love your sister Hildred aud
would make her Lady of Ravenwood.-
The day you consent to this, will put
into your hands the Deeds of this cottage
and twelve acres of land, together with
| five thousands dollars, stock in the Trade
vile Banking Company-to be yours,
and your heirs, for ever. What do you
say"
II say simply this, Paul Ravenwocd,
that I would not give my consent to this
thing for all the wealth you hold"
His face flushed, and his eyes glittered
fercely-he Looked me searchingly in my
face.
"Ale you aware ofthe consequences OF
a refusal!'
II am not only aware, but l am pre-
pared for them, !"
every well; but granting this, it
would please me to hear your sisters d.
| efson in this matter"
"You shall hear it.' / said, and step
ping to the door, called Hildred to come
in. She came, With curious wonder on
her face.
"Ask her Mr.. Ravenwood."
He went up to her with that reverence
of manner which Away came over him in
her presence. For the first time in my
whole acquaintance with him, Paul RAY
enwood looked molly in my eyes, and
for an instant / regretted the answer lac
would receive.
Mildred love YOU" he said firmly
but softly-"will you be my wife,"
| never saw such look of dread and
aversion as stole over nv sisters face
while he spoke. She shrunk backward
to the floor.
"No! no, nor she almost screamed
and fled from the room.
"You sec how tits, Mr.. Ravenweod, y
| said--"she evidently does not recipro-
cate your passion"
He walked once or twice across the
floor, and at last paused beside me.
'Miss Milburn, suppose I must re
gard your decision and that of your sister
as final! So be it. Good morning." and
he passed out of the house.
had long expected this crisis in oul
affairs and talked with Hildred about
it, and she had left all arrangements fol
the future in my hands, as usual. Hill
dred was not selfish in this doing--it was
the force of habit.
/ could not remain any longer de
pendant on the bounty of Mr.. Raven
wood; and ! had already contracted fol
room in the house of kind neighbor-
Mr.. Giles and thither as soon as possible
l had our little furniture conveyed. Hill