River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-01-10

only too glad TO escape from the seru-
, tiny of the darA eyes, Che. feared could
read her thoughts on her too e2pressife
face.
Bertram attributed her departure to Il
different reason.
Like all Others, size wishes to avoid
shoy ing her aversion to a cripple he
said bitterly,
During her stay at the Langdon's he
formed habit of calling often, and
never objected to being drawn by Charlie
into the family circle, although former
~ he had preferred to have him all to
himself, and to avoid the ladies Of the
family.
Several times upon his entrance, Lu-
cretia found an opportunity to leave upon
some ostensible errand but, after time
she forgot to he nervous about his 4isits,
and remained an interested listener to his
eloquent and instructive conversation, and
then he learned to look for the swift glow
of sympathy which never failed to bright
en- the large gray eyes, as the chosen
theme scared TO regions accessible only to
those gifted with natures above the com
monplace.
The LangdonS lived comfortably and
very elegantly, but could not afford car
riagc.
One evening; ttist at sunset; Mr. Ber-
tram drove up to the door; and asked for
Miss Kitty.
She came to the door, and absolutely
danced with pleasure when he invited her
and her friend out for drive.
It took the girls but d few moments to
put on their wraps and take theif places
in the carriage.
! AS Mr. Bertram took his seat in front
of them he said to Kitty
II AM sorry / never have thought be-
fore that drive might be enjoyed by
some of my young friends. l have been
very selfish in appearance, fear; but it
was in reality owing to my poor appre-
citation of my lonely rides. 1t never oc-
CURED to me that they Gould be made en-
durable to pleasant society"
Time flew on wings.
| Kitty's tongue, as usual, was on tiya-
/ tious motion; and Lucretia now and then
| Chithea in, although her enjoyment was
most OF the time too deep for words.
| Suddenly from the roadside rushed
! tiny Sky-terrier, evidently thinking his
| mission lay at the horses feet; but
shrek and . writhing bundle of fur soon
convinced the occupants of the carriage
that it was all mistake on the puppy's
part.
With a faint cry Kitty put her hand
kerchief to hef eyes.
Not so Lucretia.
please, Mr.. Bertram, have the carriage
stopped. l must see if the poor little
thing is killed
Now, Cree, none of your old tricks
sad Kitty, petulantly. 81 really be-
lieve," turning appealingly to Mr.. Ber-
tram. THAT II you don't interfere, she'll
bring the horrid little thing into the car
riage. l shall faint, I'm sure l she'll, if
she does She always had weakness for
the manned of creation"
"Thea, Miss LangdOn, perhaps your
friend may number me among her
| protege8 | tan claim a place In that
rank"
Kitty blushed-a vivid, uncomfortable
! unbec0ming red.
"Oh, Mr.. Bertram, beg your pardon
l never once thought"
lyon are forgiven, Miss Kitty. In your
very Inconsistencies of treading upon
dangerous ground lies the receipt of cure
| for what is perhaps morbid sensitlveness
to my lnfirmity.'
| Lucretia had not heard these remarks
She had alighted and gone to the poor
/ little victim of self-confdence. Taking
him up tenderly she found that his in
| iuries were confined to broken leg; so,
with much petting and soothing she took
! her delicate cambria handkerchief and
bound up the wounded member. Com
ing to the carriage, she lifted up plead
ing f4ce.
"May take him inl See-he is some
body's pet. Look at his collar. 1t is of
silver. and his Fidget-is engraved
upon it. Some one is mourning for his
loss. We can advertise tomorrow"
OfCOurse the little animal wa, admitted
on the prayer of such an interesting special
pleader, and the party were soon speeding
! homewards.
All were strangely quiet, even Kitty's
chattering tongue had received a sudden
quietus, and Mr.. Bertram was in brown
study.
AT last Lucretia looked up and met his
eyes fixed with a strange intentness upon
her face
II know you think me very silly, Mr..
Bertram, but can't help it. | shouldn't
|
left that poor little thing to suffer"
mo, Miss Armstrong you are mistaken
about my thoughts. MAY | call in the
morning and express them to you more
fully than | can do now"
Lucretia looking at him, but thinking
by his expression that he was quizzing
her, said indifferently:
Il suppose you wish TO classify my folly
by some learned name. Search the records,
by all means, and be sure aud relieve my
suspense in the morning"
Il will most assuredly do So"
The low, deep voice had an earnestness
uncalled ter by the occasion, Lucretia
thought. and then dismissed the matter
from her mind and gave herself up to the
/ enjoyment Of her drive.
According to promise, the next morn
| ing Mr.. Bcrtram called and asked for
| Miss Arms.r ong, and was informed that
I.ucretia had taken her portfolio with her,
and stroled off into the park that lay
Just behind the residence, and into which
any Of the family or their friends were
at liberty To wander whenever they felt
disposed.
Here. seated on a small mound, evil
IDENTIFY lost in thought, he found Lucre-
tia. and, before she was fairly aware of
his presence, he had thrown himself
down at her feet and pronounced her
/ name.
She looked up with start, and then,
observing that his face was very pale, she
cried:
sAre YOU not we'll, Mr.. Bertrand Can
l do anything for your
He gave sudden start as he spoke,and
his face lost its pellor in an agitated rush
efcolor.
"Yes. Miss Armstrong, you can if you
will. Will YOU forgive me if | ask you to
listen To lie while tell you my motivein