The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-04-04
In passions all,
And bad names called'--

angry. Well, ] have sent for you al
this way, just to say that-that-I an
sorry"
"What 7" cries the yong man, break
lug into angovernable fury, "is this tht
FOOLS errand you have sent for me on
Ito laugh iD my face, and quote al
idiotic nursery-rhyme to me? BY God
Lenore, it is too bad! For the las
seven-eight months I have been you
butt, a football for you to kick about
but I tell you am sick of the part.
throw it up! Find some one else tt
to take it, if you can"
He turns toward tho door his broae
chest is heaving his strong hands ar,
clinched ; his deep-blue eyes fash ant
darken with uncontrolled anger-a pas
sion much more becoming to men,
hard faces than soft and sawny love.
"stay" she cries, rising hastily
and putting her back against the doc
to prevent his egress "sit down, and
whatever you say, speak lower, for
have no special disire to be overheard
had another reason for sending fo
you but-but-I am ashamed to tel
it you."
:"Wbat is it ?''
Big, outstanding, and exasperated, b
does not look man to be trifled with
but, after all, a mau may not knock
woman down, so she may shoot all he
little arrows at him with smile and
quiet mind, and fear nothing. He
eyes drop to the carpet at her feet
and a color burns like fire on he
cheeks.
IL sent for you to-to-to-as 70,
to marry me.'
! At the last words she raises her eyes
and looks bin in the face. A deep AM
utter silence. lie has staggered bacl
against the wall, aud is. staring at he
with vide, disbelieving eyes of ute
astonishment.
III have no reasan for supposing tha
you wish to marry me-" she says, col
lectedly, though her face is scarle,
"You never told me so; it is only al
instincs-an iusticnt that perhaps ha
led me astray." Still complete silence
"lt is not leap year, is it?" she says
with forced laugh. "No Well, then
l have no excuse-none, except that
wished it; aud you know, from child
have always asked for what I wished
and slways-ao, not slways-not al
ways" (stiaiog sigh), "but generall
l have got it,"
"And-snd LIE Mesurier ?" say
Sorope, at last, in rough and altere'
voice, trying to stand steadily on hi
feet, while bis knees shake under him
and the room whirls round him.
"What about him 2" she CRIES, sharp
". "Wby do you drag him in ? If
was aDybody's part to mention him,
was mine. You will hear no more q
him he is gone-it is all off, you kno,
that; it was all off before you left-on
~, l suppose, it gives you pleasure t
hear it again."
"And you p says the young man
staring into her calm face, while b
stammers and shutters "you-you d
not care you-you are not cut u
about itY'
She turns her face suddenly aside
but only for an instant: in a momen
she is looking at him again-looking q
him, and smiling.
"Cut up!" she says, laughin!
"What an expression 1t is only me
that are cut up! Do look very dowr
hearted? :? Do you sec any willow in m
hand No, no ! I am not the sort
person that am ever cut up much abor
aDy thing"
! Still he looks at her with bewilde
ed face, paled and quivering, as or
but freshly w.ked from a heavenl
dream, that knows not whether he y.
sleeps or wakes afraid to grasp With
his hand the immense and utter blil
that her words seem to set within b
reach, lest it should melt away lik
fairy gold. His emotion does not con
municate itself to her ; rather, it make
her composed.
"Well, she says, with a pretty
chilly, mocking smile, "you have NJ
yet answered me. How cruel to kee
me in suspense Does it require
much time to decide :? The matter liz
in a nutshell. Do you wish to MARI
me, or do you not p
do wish to 60 to heaven {? Di
Dives in hell wish for that cup of col
water Z" cries the young man, passiona,
ly, waking with leap out of his franc,
aud finging bis happy arms around he
She shudders, and pulls herse.
away.
"Bah p she says, coldly, retreatin
several PAGES from him "do not let U
have any flowers Of rhetoric; and it
too early yet to be afectionate.
Dives had got his cup of cold water b
would have token it quietly, like ger
leman, and not matched it,"
"You were not in earnest. then ?
cries the young man, 6ercely, with r,
vulsion Of feeling as bitter as his forme
triumph had been heavenly sweet. "
was fool to be taken lu! 1t was onl
on unfeelipg, unwomanly joke. Wi
you be kind enough" (coming close t