River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-16

pity for him, which soon turned into love
SO. when he asked Inc for my hand,
gave II him. with the most sincere affec,
tiOn.and with wish to make him a. hap
py a. knew ne deserved to be-
In spite of this frank, and, as ] firmly
believed. truthful confession, / still
doubted her happiness; and the following
incidents seemed TO confirm my suspi.
ci0ns in that respect.
Christmas was approaching, and had
received an invitation from DanesbroOk
to assist in a grand festival, 10 which he
was going to treat all his farmer tenants
He threw open all his large rooms. decor.
ated them eXpensiyely, and had summoned
a capital brass band from London. lie
threw himself heart and soul into the &C.
casion. and every one about rendered him
their best assistance.
At length the eventful evening arrived
The earth was covered with deep snow,
and everything was seasOnable and agree
able.
Carriages bearing rich neighbors. on
one hand, came bowling along; and
then, on the other, light carts and wag-
ons ratified up to. and discharged their
contents at the hospital door, now opened
wide to all.
Led by the agent of the estate--a still
youthful mana procession of farmers,
their wives and daughters, followed by
scores of field workers-men with horny
hands and simple minds-was formed,
and entering a large saloon. were present
cd in due form to The landlord and his
wife, the generous donors of the feast
Amongst the assembled guests noticed
Mrs Cotterell, and her SON Claude, VINO
certainly justified the report of his beauty
which had preceded him.
The Lieutenant was assuredly a very
handsome man, perfect dancer, and pos
sessed that degree of boldness which most
women are inclined to admire in one of
the opposite sex.
Ia town he had made conquests wher-
ever he appeared, and Julia Leyland was
especially charmed with him. They
danced often together, and they INDUCED
in much meTriment.
Mrs. DaEesbrOOk also mixed amongst
the dancers. She, too, danced several
times with the fascinating Lieutenant.
whilst her husband stood modify in a
corner, following the pair about every
where with his lowering glances.
| could not remain to the end myself.so
I asked the agent TO order my carriage to
be Brought round unknown to all and stole
away unperceived.
Il am sorry, Mr.. Ormond, to 90 away
so soon" | observed to the agent. as |
shook hands with him on the stairs before
leaving; hut | have patient who eX-
l.
the night
= think you are lucky in being able
tOget away, doctor" returned the agent,
ill-humOredly. Il wish the whole thing
was over
Realty thought you were amusing
yourself wonderfully
u nice amusement" growled the other.
Everyone has been lOOkineiforward to this
Christmas festival for months past, and
now that fellow comes here and spoils
all"
Aha" thought / within myself, ''this
man is Jealous Of the handsome officer!
An, l see: he has fixed his affections on
Miss Julia; "a hopeless case, / should
say; for, if mistake not, she will aim
at higher game than Mr.. Danesbrook' 5
land agent.'
When | next visitad Shrop Hall,
found Mr.. DanesbrOOk looking more
gloomy than usual, his wire suffering from
her old complaint, depression of spirits,
and light-heartcd Julia met me with
swollen eyelids.
As soon rs | was alone with my patient.
she told me that there had been some
angry words in the family on account of
Lieutenant Cottrell, who had, according
to Mrs. DanesbrOOks story, been flirting
with Julia, who had been persuaded to
meet him in the park grounds.
Ies,doctOr. secretly did the imprudent
girl 10 SO" continued my patient. 'Mr.
Danesbrook's agent, who Is passionately
attached to Julia. who. you must under
stand, has not penny in the world, fol-
lowed her, witnessed the meeting, and
heard the Lieutenant and her appoint an
other for the morrow on the SAME spot.
Full of jealous feeling, Mr.. Ormond flew
10 my husband, and told him all; where
upon Mr. DanesbroOk at once sent for the
gentleman, and demanded from him an
explanation. Then there ensued a very
painful scene between the two men, who
used the most insulting language to one
another At last my husband ordered
him 10 quit the house, adding that he was
never to enter it again, and from that mo-
ment he tmy husband) would put an end
To all further communication between the
two families. The poor agent has been
discharged on account of these doings,
and Julia has been threatened to he sent
back home"
Now, unfortunately, this story, with the
usual cxaggcrations, travelled abroad, and
awakened afreSh the scarcely sleeping
prejudice against Ugly Dranesbrook.
Strange to relate, the whole blaiH- of the
affair was cast upon the man whose only
object was TO protect the honor of the
house. instead of upon the dissipated
young officer, who had sought to lead an
inexperienced, giddy girl astray.
IL was generally believed that Danes
brook fancied the Lieutenant TO be in love
with his beautiful wife, and that he only
pretended passion for the girl in order
to avert suspicion from the true object of
his affection This belief, fixed firmly in
the husbands breast, people said. had
alone brought about the quarrel.
In fact, the widest reports were in cir
culation with regard to the late interview
between the two men; and people de-
clared that DanesbrOok had uttered ter
rible threats, swearing that he would some
dav have his revenge.
Although the information given me by
my fair patient was very different, / felt
more inclined to credit public report, as
my own ewes had witnessed proofs of
DanesbroOk's frightful jealousy. But
was secretly reioiced that the matter had
reached the end il had, as telt sure that
the owner of Shrop Hall was the last per-
son in the world Tor any one TO attempt
to wrong or trifie with.
One morning early, mounted messen-
ger from the Danesbrooks came Ia sum
mon me in all haste to their house The
messenger told me that a terrible tragedy
had occurred there. But his words were
50 disconnected l could not understand