River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-09-13


ing fever. She talked Observation-Disclosures
did not know me. She lay very. very I'll
for three weeks.
Poor girl. at one time il seemed
certain 'h-s she would die, but we kept
her.
AT last her first act Of consciousness
was 10 kiss me, and murmur:
II love your
AT asst she could sit up and talk lit
tie. And then she told Roscoe and me
her story.
/ will not repeat it here. II was tale
too sickening; Of human passions infiam-
ed by liquor; Of mans tyranny; of wom-
ans weakness. Her husband was false
to her and to his manhood. She chung
to him, pleading; he knocked her sense
less al bis feet. And before that. she had
bOrne-oh pitiful Heaven, so much,
"He has Killed my love for him." she
said, white and shuddering. II am
afraid of him had rather die than live
with him again! Let me stay here! Here
he will not find me. Oh, Roscoe-COn-
STANCE, let me stay with you"
We soothed her promised earnestly
that she should stay protected, beloved
by us. For the conversation was most
hurtful to her, and nearly brought a
relapse of her fever.
So found what | had never had--a
sister-and think we made her as hap
ply as she could possibly be after the ter
rible blight upon her youth. She found
fund Of comfort in little Lyle, who was
very fond Of Der, calling her "Lolo," in
in his so't, lisping accents. She was
most unselfsh and sympathetic in dis
position, and this latter trait won from
me at least a confidence.
She sat with me, sewing in my cham
Der, one day. Roscoe had just sent out
from town a package of new books |
wished to see. We had looked them over
promising ourselves much enjoyment
in the long winter evenings coming.
"What a splendid man Roscoe ia"
Ora said, thOughtfully. I" He is cham
pion-a friend-he is interested N every
/ thing you care for-he consuits your
wishes-ministers TO your tastes. Now
/ my husband neTer seemed to care for any
thing only to own me-"
/ She seldom or never referred to her hus-
band. 1t seemed to make her physically
i'll to do so. ! hurried away from the
subject.
. know have a good husband, Ora;
/ / respect him, | admire him. But yet, |
added, I" should have been happier if
had married another man."
I Then | told her the tale Of my youth.
/ OF my exceeding beauty-the tourist who
/ wandered TO my mountain hOme-of his
4 beauty, his charm, his power-my pas
/ sion for him. OF my invalid mother.
who prayed me not TO leave her-of the
/ choice | needs must make-of his depart
ure-his subsequent desertion; of how
my mother died blessing mellow my
4 conscience approved, yet nay passionate
/ longing for what / had lost. The hot
4 tears rained down my face as / concluded
so deeply had my nature known this
experience.
/ Ora listened with wide eyes, quickened
breath; her work dropped upon her lap
and when | had done, she said:
/ "What was his name, Constanccl You
I have not spoken it."
Ivan Grey"
"Have you picture of him "she asked
in a sharp, suppressed voice.
/ / unlocked the cabinet, found the
photograph, placed it in her hand.
+ She glanced-dropped 1t as If 1t had
stung her. at is my husband, Con
stancem
1 could only stare at her
at surely is, Constance" she said,
winding her arms about me. "When you
! first spoke of your childhood's love in
Blue Mountains, / remembered to have
seen some sketches my husband made
there, bearing date 1855, ten years ago.
Oh, Connv, what an escape you made
that you did not marry him! To be the
wife of Ivan Grey was reserved for my
/ fate" she added, mournfully.
"Was Mr.. Grey's name Ivan" | STAN
mered.
Yes" she answered.
/ was forced to accept the truth.
rose, by-and-by, and put the letters
and the photograph in the fire.
1 And that night talked alone with my
husband. Through all eternity he will
never doubt now that love him.