River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-11-29

darling to her heart, and mOther-like,
alternately scolded and petted, hug
ged and kissed him to her hearts con-
tent.
Next morning mother and child start
ed for their accustomed walk, and met
their neighbor coming to inquire about
the boy. The lady thanked the child's
preserver, as she would call him again
and again, but he laughingly said she
must confer that title upon Carlo, as
that noble animal had been the hero
on that occasion. The fond mother
said few grateful words, but her
melodious voice vibrated through him
she addressed like strain OF half-for-
gotten music, awakening the memories
of happier years. The child, mean
while, had been making friends with
Carlo, who graciously allowed the little
one to put both fat arms around the
shaggy neck, and to press the little ro-
sy cheek against the honest black face,
and call him ''dood Tarlo." All this
occupied but few moments, and then
both went on their way.
The nelghbors often met after this,
and mot by accident, either" Mrs.
Grundy said, adding that he would
wait till the party from the hill were
out of sight and "then he would go by
some other road and manage to over.
take or meet them just by chance, OF
course then all would walk home to-
gether in the twilight" All this time
the lady never permitted the new
friend to get glimpse OF her face, ex-
cept such shadowy outlines as could be
seen through heavy veil OF double
Grape but milk white hand, with
delicate taper fingers, stray tress OF
lustrous golden hair, or a wee little
shapely foot, creeping mouse-like in
and out from beneath the folds of the
black dress, together with the melody
of her voice and the mystery that sur
rounded her, fairly bewitched our So
cial friend, who had given up all the
Joys of the world, human society, for
lodge in the wilderness and the COM
partnership of Carlo, and he actually
made the lovely widow an offer of his
heart. Of course the proposal being
so unexpected, that angelic creature de-
clined to put her admirer out of his
misery at once, and asked time to make
up her mind. She told him, also, that
she had made a VOW never to marry,
and added, consistently, that if she
did, her intended husband should not
see her face till after the ceremony,
and must love her well enough to live
for her alone. The Infatuated lover
would agree to any terms, if only he
might hope. Then he told the sad
story of his life, how, after weeks OF
anxious expectation, the fearful intel
ligence came that the vessel in which
his beloved wife was coming home
from France went down with every soul
on board. How his health and almost
his reason had given way under the
shock, and he had come to that retired
spot to regain, if possible, strength of
body and mind. He plead his case,
and his heart was gladdened by the
promise that in one month from that
day she would become his wife
The wedding day dawued as bright
and glorious as every wedding day
should be. All the lovely landscape
was bathed in golden sunshine, and
every leaf and flower was tremulous
with JOY, and every bird and bee and
butterfly that futtered in and out of the
vines on the porch, seemed to know,
that.the cloud that had so long over
Swallowed the clone House." had
passed under forever.
Under the floral bell composed of
orange blossoms and roses, in the draw
ing room of the "Lone House," stood
the wedding group. The bride, attired
in pearl satin robe, adorned with rich
lace, with her beautiful golden hair
shining through the veil that fell III
light folds to her very feet, was the
centre of attraction for all eyes, but
strange to say, she wore silken mask.
yhich almost entirely hid her features.
The bridegroom awaited with tremb-
ling Impotence the moment when the
hateful mask should be removed, and
he should see his darling face to face,
and find his dreams of her beauty sur.
passed by the reality. The good clergy
man, in bands and surplice, began the
ceremony, and with joined hands and
loving hearts the happy pair took to
solemnvow to Glove and cherish" each
other till death did them part. And not
till they were pronounced "man and
wife" did the bride undo the silken
string, throw off the mask, and stand
revealed in all her blushing loneliness
to the endearing eyes of her husband.
"Ethel."
"Max!" Were all the words they
uttered, but Max Warner took her in
IN his arms and held her as if afraid
she wonld again escape him.
Yes, as you have known all along, it
was Ethel Warner, lovelier than ever,
and the mother of the beautiful boz,
born some time after her fight.
Each had little story to tell. Eth
ell, how her heart had yearned to her
old home. and how after almost mira