The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-04-23
THROUGH THE BREAKERS.

! "1Ao oioIoIs only Wy auOptIoni YET
l know that the love between us, in those
old days, was as great as it could have
been if the mothers, of whom only sweet
memories were left US, had been one; and
as If my father had been Elsie's father
too, instead of having pitifully adopted
the orphan child, and brought her from a
poor and loveless life to share our happy
home. I suppose I always knew that he
could never grow TO love her as be love d
his own child; yet even if had telt he
did so, should only have rejoiced. I
am speaking now OF old times and speak
ing, too, when | can see those old times
lying in the full sunlight of the unsuspi-
cious love We bore each other. We two
adopted sisters were a strong contrast.
Elsie was bright light-hearted girl,
WIFE sunny prettiness, and happy
smile forever ripping on her lips and
sparkling in her eyes. We were the same
age within year, yet I always felt much
the elder, for my nature was silen: and
concentrated, dreamy to fault, and stead
fast-so steadfast, that if had had one
aim to pursue, however hore esss, I should
have pursued it silently to my death. Yet
under my quietness, I knew, even then,
that there slept a passionate ltensity of
feeling which gave me one power greater
than Elsie possessed, the power of suffer
ing. She won love and friendship; while
| stood isolated, with. only her love and
my fathers 10 encircle me. She won adj
miration and esteem from all, and knew
that this was well, because suffering to
her was weakening as illness; under it
she lay passive and helpless, while met
it as would meet sorrowful friend and
made my step firm, and my heart strong,
to support it. But oil this Yves in the old
times. before she won easily, as she won
all else) the only love which could have
gladdened me; and before that chill gray
cloud dropped down upon US.
He did not live with us at first, but my
father, when his own health failed, per-
suaded his young partner Go whom the
mills would entirely belong after his
DEATH to come and live with US in our
great house, upon the bill, at the foot of
which the mills lay. So Horace Capron
came, and the whole active management
of the mills fell into his hands; and al
though he was young man, my father
| felt the utmost confidence ia him. The
master was safe in relying on Mr.. CaproD,
the men would sometimes say to US, when
wandered, as we liked to do, over the
busy, noisy mills; he was one to be trusted.
We used 10 smile at the expression, which
seemed to them to mean 50 much; and
when Horace would join Us from the Off
ces, what wonder was it if we saw a new
power in his handsome face, and in his
toze genial and irresistible authority9
And could we warn each other OF the feel
ing which was growing equally in both
our hearts? Could we always remember
that for one of us this feeling must end
in bitter and humiliatng pain? 1t was to
ne that the pain came at last; very grad
ually, because 1t took me such a long,
long time to believe it after it was told
yet very suddenly, because I had forgot
ten, as | saio, that this love for Horace,
which was growing equally iii both our
hearts, must end for one of us in bitter
and humiliating pain. He had always
treated us alike; coming nome to US in
the evenings, bringing new element of
strength and gayety; interesting US no
less than my father, aud amusing and
frightening my father no less than us.
There was more laughter when he chatted
with Elsie; but more earnestness when he
talked with me. If he sang oftener with
Elsie ne rode oftener with me; and if he
fell beside Elsie oftaner when we walked
together, it was beside my chair that he
would draw his own when he read ALOUD
to US at night. And so the months sped
on most happily for us, so equally loved
and cared for that what wonder was it, as
| said, that we forgot how this must end
in bitter, Illuminating pain for ore?
forgot how it was that there oawned
on me the knowledge of one of my faith
er's motives in having Horace Capron tc
live now in the house which he was even
tually to occupy as master of the mills. I
think he told me himself, one day, saving