River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01

and having, as he believed, won Sarah's
affection, had asked her to be his wife.
And Sarah, with the pure instincts of
lIer own maiden heart to guide her, had
ter which first brought him to the notice
refused his offer.
With his heart full of bitter revenge
he tried to win by cruelty what he had
failed to gain by kindness. Before a
week had passed he urged his suit with
Mrs. Hartley. With affectionate words
she told him of her own regrets at Sarah's
dc cision, but absolutely refused to use
her own influence to alter it, Then, when
vague hints were thrown out TO waken
her fears, stately dignity replaced the
motherly warmth of her manner, and
Charles Everhard was courteously but
distinctly informed that Sarah could
never br won by bride or threat.
But few days were allowed for re-
/ Election before the landlord of The little
cottage raised the rent to such an exorbi-
tant amount that only immediate removal
remained for the Hartleys. The easy,
lucrative work was taken away at an
hours notice, and when Sarah went to the
warehouse for which she had formerly
worked, employment was denied her
there. Winter was coming on, and the
narrow attic room seemed even more
dreary than before, in contrast to their
cosy cottage.
Still mother and dAus liter spoke no
word of regret. for the refusal that was
/ costing them so dear Sarah in her
/ heart was glad that some of the load of
gratitude was Cancelled by this sudden,
\ rude persecution: and Mrs. Hartley
Il
pain her daughter might have felt on her
account.
sarah, she said, II shudder to think
of your life in the power of man who
could so wreak his vengeance on two help
less women. 1t is fortunate. my child.
your heart guided you truly. No man who
ever loyed you could so suddenly become
| your enemy"
II was January, a night when rain was
falling upon a half melted snow, that
Sarah came home after a fruitless search
Tor work.
"Where is your shawli' Mrs Hartley
said, as the girl drew shivering to the
handful of fire.
II sold it. We'inust eat or die" was
the quiet response. IL bought bread, milk
and potatoes, and there will be enough to
replace these for few days more. Then
work may come"
As she spoke there was loud knock at
the door, and Charles Everhard came in
to meet chilling reception.
Not abruptly, but by graceful transit
tiOns, he led the way to his hope that
Sarah might think more kindly of the
offer refused before. He had spoken
eloquently of his love for her, delicately
urged his respect and affection for her
mother, and expressed the most profound
regret that he had ever allowed his anger
at his first refusal to influence him, as it
had done, to acts of enmity. There was
no lack of words to prove his sincere af-
lection, as he poured them into the ear of
the almost despairing girl; and Sarah,
listening for some answer from her own
heart, found none. Not one throb there
bore witness to the truth of the vehement
assertions. Sadly, but resolutely, she
said, as she had said before: Il cannot
marry you, Mr. Everhard. do not love
you, and you do not love me-"
II do not love you!" cried her sutton
"Sarah can you be so blind, so deaf to
love, as to doubt mincl Be my wife, and
every hour of my life, shall prove my
love for YOU"
u cannot be your wifel'
Do YOU love another, Sarah"
Il do not admit your right to ask that
question, but l will answer you. | do
not love another"
"Then love will come. can wait
years if it must be-"
But he pleaded in vain. Sarah firmly
refused to become an unloved, unloving
wife.
1t was late when the disappointed
sutton took his leave, and Sarah crept into
her mothers arms.
Forgive me that deny you, too, the
comforts of home,n she sobbed.
"Child, child" her mother said, 81
want no home built on the ruins of your
happiness. Have forgotten tomorrow is
your birthday, Sarah? You are twenty
one
And when she arrived at woman's estate,
1t was all the estate she had"
quoted Sarah, bitterly.
There was little sleep in the cherries
attic; but the morning found the Hart
leys up early, and Sarah preparing to go
out in search of work.
4 bright sunlight made the prospect
somewhat more cheerful than il had been
the previous day, and Sarah was speaking
cheerly. when the postman's voice rang
along the narrow passage.
Hartleym
"An answer to our advertisement
cried Sarah, flying down for the letter and
up again.
a great legal envelope marked Ever
+ hard and Hill she said. Can Charles
sue me for breach of promise, mother"
Theref was pause while Sarah opened
the letter.
Then Mrs. Hartley gave startled cry
at the deadly pallOr of the face lifted TO
meet her eyes.
Mother" Sarah said, in a hushed
voice, can you bear great shockf"
"Ycs dear All we love are dead, and
we have each other"
"A shock of joy, mother. Rather
novel sensation for you and me. This let
ter tells me that my Uncle Herbert left
will"
''Yes, Sarah Speak quickly. child"
In care of Everhard & Hill, to be
opened on my twenty-first birthday.
Charles Everhard's father, mother, has
I had this will since Uncle Herbert died.
II begin to understand, dear. Then
You are heireSs-"
ITO thirty thousand pounds"
There was long, long silence, and
Mrs. Hartley gently united Sarah's shah
! by bonnet. After a moment of compos-
ure. Sarah cried fervently: snake fire
/ of the chairs and tables, mother, while l
spend the contents of my purse in good
breakfast. l have just discovered that l
am very hungry.
/ But there was no more want or cold for
T the heiress or her moth9 was three
years later when Sarah :, sought again
/ for wife by one who owed and won the
/ treasure of her love, ana tho warm, true
heart, under the appeal Of sincere devo-
l finn no LONGER held the silence that had