River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-06-04

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was quite unconscious Of the quick,
startled glances with which she favored
him. Never had she looked thus at any
one. From the moment Of their meet.
ing new influence possessed her. She
did not question or analyze, but drifted
on its flow, asking not whittier.
Mamma" said Rasalie, after the
guests were gone, "did you notice Helen
Miles tonight! ! never saw her so
queer"
"She is always queer. didn't notice
anything in particular. What was it z"
"I-don (Thcughtfully.) She
looked so strangely at Mr.. Thurston, and
! though she was still as ever, she gave me
the impression Of being dreadfully ex-
cited about something. That dreadful
quiet of hers is horrible. | grew so ner-
vous that wanted to scream
'Nasty girl y responded Mrs. LeClerc,
who looked upon the human race in gem
eral as material for the amusement of her
daughter. "We won't ask her again. /
only did it because you enjoy her singing
so much"
at isn't exactly enjoyment" said Ro.
sale. "IIer voice is delicious, but am
never so low spirited as while she sings
how strange that so cold person should
make one feel SO! Are you sure she is
so cold, mammal"
"Cold as stone," pronounced Mrs.
LeClerc, decisivcly.
1t is hard to be classified as stone,
and yet to have none Of stone's immune
ties. This luckless Helen of mine was no
wiser than the rest of her sex, and far
less happy. Weeks went on. She and
Mr.. Thurston met continually as people
do when once they begin. Continually
his attraction for her became stronger.
1t was long before she knew she loved,
and (for she never blinded HERSELF loved
hopelessly. This did not pain her great
ly, except at moments; she was used to
finding herself locked away from every
day experiences Of other women, and the
mere fact of loving brought with it a stir
and thrill of which she had not dreamed
herself capable.
What was in this big, careless, happy
man that drew her so powerfully! Who
can say Which of us can pretend to
measure or anticipate the strange GIBBS
and flows, the fluX and rehux Of our
likes or dislikes, those insensible forces
which act without our governance and
mould our lives? She only knew that
some stringent spiritual pressure bent
her toward him, and, alas that force
equally stringent held her in bonds when
he was present, sealed her lips, froze her
manner, made her altogether impassiye
and unattractiye, repelling where she
fain would have pleased. Too proud to
challenge even by look the notice Of a
popular, sought after man, she cOldly
drew aside, while other women petted and
/ flattered her hero to her hearts content,
and nothing COMMUNICATING could, in
fact, occur--to bring them to the knowl-
edge of each other.
After a while strange happiness came
to her from the very secrecy of this unre-
turned affection. In her heart she named
Reginald by tender names; every day her
thoughts went out toward him. She dared
to believe that in some way unknown to
her, but known to God, his life must be
better and richer for the eeaseless due of
benediction poured upon it. Nobody
guessed, nobody read the lineaments of
generous passion behind the cold veil of
her face; none heard the prayers in which
his name stood first. Those who know
not the bliss of receiving, feel full 10y of
giving she thought herself--she was
content. THIS contentment would of
course have vanished in a whirlwind had
Reginald given sign Of an intention to be
happy with somebody else, but she was
not tested in that way.
Family ties have habit of pulling
when you least expect it. Helen had
few such ties. An older sister, married
in France, was her only near relation.
Thiss ummer, nearly twelve month after
the evening at Mrs. lie Clerc's, the sis
terly tie asserted itself for the first time.
Madame Farard wrote urgently to claim
visit. Her husband was in bad health,
her only daughter was about to be mar
ried; if Helen would come to them for
few months it would be such comfort.
surely Helen would come.
"0f course you'll go" cried aunts and
cousins and second cousins in full chorus.
sit an opportunity; it's a charming plan;
it's plain duty. Anna needs you; you
must 60" Helen gave consent. The at
fractions of home were not particularly
strong in summer, when the people of
Emanuel church were scattered, and its
pastor off on his long vacation. "As well
Normandy, as anything" she thought,
rather YEARLY. An escort was easily
found in the person of old Mr.. and Mrs.
lie Clerc, going abroad in the steamship
st. Malo on the ID Of June. No better
ship going, people said, and June was the
very month for sea voyaging.
Ilelen's last appearance before sailing
was at Mrs Doylston's ball on the Goth
of May, beautiful festival in one of the
most superb Of modern houses. Flowers
abounded, a carnival Of fragrance and
color, from the similax-wreathed stair
cases to chimney pieces converted for the
nonce into banks Of roses and stephanotis
But the one inimitable glory Of the occa-
sion, Joy Of Mrs. Doylston heart, and
despair Of rival florists, was a century
plant in full blossom. IL stood in the
middle Of the drawing.room, its spire Of
dusky yellow rearing itself from the base
of jagged, shapecss leaves; and TO every
one who entered Mrs. Doylston said, "Be
sure you see the aloe. II will be hun.
1 bred years, YOU know, before the plant