River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-07-25
The Stolen Loeket.

4
In the elegantly furnished drawing
room OF Wesg-end mansion sat young
man, whose genteel bearing, broad noble
| tossed back in graceful artlessness, and
large, thoughtful eyes bespoke him TO be
one of natures noblemen. He was evil
IDENTIFY waiting impatientIy for some one
for, as slight noise. was heard
on the landing, he would Start, and fix
his eyes eagerly upon the door.
At last, apparently unable TO sit still
any longer, he arose, and, walking to the
window, stood tapping nervously on the
glass, ard watched with listless eyes the
chameleon like crowd that passed. While
thus occupied he failed TO hear a slight
rustic as the girlish figure entered the
room and gliding softly TO his side touch
ca him lightly upon the arm. His quick
start and the loving, gentle manner in
which he gathered her to his heart
showed at a glance that they were lev
ers. s
While they hold sweet converse let us
pause moment, while | describe my
! heroine.
She was of medium height. of slen-
der, delicate figure, and possessed OF y
naneless grace of movement, which add
ed TO her other charms, he'd won her the
name among her many admirers of
sNellie, the Irresistible" Her beauty
was of the true blonde type, and clad as
she was in q shining bluedress shelooked
worthy Of her name. On her arms gleam-
ed with a tawny luster broad golden
bands: and from ore of these, hung a
tiny heart-shaped loekct, one side of
which bore forget I1e rot set of tur-
quoise with brilliant diamond sparkling
in the center.
Guy Hartley, for such was our. hero's
name, had called, GLAD of an excuse, to
acquaint Nellie with some arrangement
which he had just completed with regard
to their soon approaching marriage; and,
after a short tine passed in pleasant con-
versation, he reluctantly rose, and bid
ding a tender adieu 10 the fair girl, left
the house with firm, elastic tread.
Hardly had he taken his departure
when the front door bell again rang, and
once more young gentleman was usher
ed INTO the drawing-Ioom. The new
conner was tall and slight, with jet black
hair, and piercing look in the black
/ eyes that BODIED no good to an enemy.
As he sank into a chair, something glist-
eDing upon the floor caught his eye; and
as ne recognized it he could scarce refrain
! from shout of pleasure; for Fred Acton
had long been the secret rival OF Guy,
each striving to win the hand of fair
Nellie Pomeroy. And now, as he held in
his grasp the tiny locket, which by some
evil chance had become detached from
the bracelet on Nellie's arm he felt that
he possessed an almost certain means OF
revenge on Guy, AMI stand perhaps, a
better chance of winning the fair girl for
his wife; for the locket, as he knew, had
been Guys first h've-gift to Nellie, and
was priced as one of he choicest posses
Sions.
At this moment the footman entered
the parlor presenting Miss Pomero'ys re-
grets, and request that Mr.. Acton would
excuse her that AFTERNOON. The truth
was that with her womenly intuition she
| had long OWNED the secret which be had
thought known to himself alone; ana
having ever treated him with polite in
difference, she felt less inclined now than
! ever to endure a tete-a-tete with him.
Rising as the tootman entered with her
message, aud scarcely able to conceal the
pleasure 1t afforded him at this moment,
when he was still trembling with the
fear of having been seen as he hastily hid
the shining bauble in his bosom, he lett
his compliments and departed.
Going directly to jewelers., he pur-
chased a small ring, with which he last
eRed the locket securely to his watch
chain, and then sauntered down the street,
in the hope Of meeting Guy. His wish
was destined to be fulfilled; for he was
shortly gratified by seeing Guy approach
ing. with serene, contented look on his
handsome face.
As they stopped to chat, Fred, as If
anxious to conceal something, placed MS
hand carelessly on his watch-chaln; but
| Guy, as was intended, noticed the action.
and said, laughingly: What Is 1t you are
so jealousy guarding. Fredf A love-token
| from some fair lady2"
Eyes; but for fear that it might blight
ycur hopes in that direction, perhaps /
had better not show it you just at pres
emit" laughed false Fred, nervously.
.sOh, never fear for me-" said Guy,
"for have already Gagged my bird. and
so shall not prove a dangerous rival to
your suit"
"Wen, then, beholdn replied Fred,
removing his hand, and disclosing to
view the tiny locket.
Guy turned pale as death; but, master
ing his emotion by violent effort, he
playfully insisted upon knowing the
name of Freds charmer.
"Oh. come.' said Frod, ''you are feign
| ing innocence; t surely you must have
often seen this trinket upon the arm OF
| fair Nell the Irresistible, who has this
day bestowed it upon me ss pledge OF
her true love-
| GUY had stood as if turned to stone
while this iippant speech was being rat
| fled out. and then, with few common
place words, passed on; but his tread was
not as free and elastic as before he met
Fred, and his head, which then had been
raised proudly, was now bent forward
deiectedly; for dark cloud had sudden
ly arisen. which threatened to overshadow
forever the bright morning OF his happi-
ness.
Fred watched him pass on with sar-
donic smile on his handsome vet sinister
| face. and thought TO himself, Ah, my
fne fellow, there's many slip twixt the
cup and The lip, as you may find to your
cost; and then you will know the conse-
quences of standing in the way of Fred
Acton
That evening, in her luxurious bame,
Nellie Watched and listened IN vain for
| the familiar footsteps she had learned to
know so well; and she retired TO rest at
] last, sad and dispirited, and with dim
sense of impending trouble, that was yet
too vague to shape itself into connected
thought.
The next morning, as the family were
I ratheied around the breakfast table q
servant entered the room with q note ad-
dressed to Miss Pomeroy." Grasplng
/ Il eagerly. spasmodieally, Nellie tore 1T