River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-20
After Many Days.

four yearsf
Eyes, four years
Nothing could be lovelier than Ange-
lique Wharton's pale, pensive profile,
cen in the twilight.
Hubert Knox looked at it earnestly,
and Elsie White, sadnes and vague
fear coming over her happy heart, gazed
too. She had not known before that
Angelique was beautiful. but life at
Neptune House seemed to change her.
Her loose, shadowy hair, and dress of
black velvet made her loneliness itself
that evening.
sAnd is it pleasant at Linden Walks2o
asked Knox.
@Oh, yes" cried Elsie; it is beauti-
full"
But Knox continued to look at Mrs.
Whorton.
"Elsie Aas told you,n she said look
ing up and meeting his eyes.
| After moment she rose, sighed heav-
i.y, and walked slowly down the long
verandah.
"My cousin is very handsome-don
you think sou asked little Elsie, visit
fully.
| Knox was silent for a moment.
"She is very handsome woman, no
doubt"
Something in the cool voice cheered
Elsie little. She slipped warm little
hand into her companions, and he re-
ceived and held it tenderly.
| "Angelique's health is much better
1 Al. - Che -
very nervous, and never likes to be
alone
She ohatted on merrily now, treasured
| by that warm handclasp.
g Your cousin is not much like you"
No; it is strange that we are of the
same blood, for Angelique is not at all
| like me-"
| Elsie yielded to the caressing arm and
pillowed her young cheek on the strong
breast, all unseen in the starlight.
How did you come to make her
house your homer"
Well, there was large family of us
at Fern cottage, and, when Apgelique
came there visiting, she took me home
with her. Linden Walks was lonesome,
she said, though Angelique was quite a
stranger to mel had never seen her un-
| til then that SUMNER finally consent
ed Papa was willing. He has four
daughters lett now"
"And how long have you lived thereg"
Two years this summer"
Though Hubert Knox knew so little of
Elsie Whites circumstances, it was none
the less true that they were lovers. A
little tenderness, and the strong, fearless
man had won her heart as the lily is
opened by the sunlight.
She was very young-only seventeen
She never thought to ask him Of his his
tory or circumstances. She only knew
! that she had never feared him, as she did
most men, and he was kindness and tend
erness itself.
I Her young heart held perfect wor-
ship over him, and yet he had little
thought beyond the happy present. She
only knew that she loved him, never
troubled herself about his "intentions,"
and let the days go by, never realizing
that she might be laying up store OF
misery.
/ Afterward she remembered that even
ing the white surf rushing up the beach,
the rocking and glimmering cold in the
moonlight, the sky piled with silver
edged clouds, and all along the pale
beach people sauntering to and fro.
1t was getting late in the season, and
the place was less crowded than usual
The long verandah was quite desolated
but for those two.
Knox was very quiet, yet she could.
feel the strong beating OF his heart
gainst her temple.
h, Kppv looLpI at hIg wafcn
at is past ten o'clock, little pet
Here came sudden, light step along
the verandah.
"Still in your corner, truants? Every
BODY is on the beach, and | thought to
see you there. Mr.. Knox, | want TO
speak 10 YOU a moment" said Mrs,
wharton, for ne was turning away,
He came toward her.
elsie and | go back home next week
it is the last of September. Pray come
4 and see us at Linden Walks"
i Elsie, who mad not before known the
time of their departure, listened breath
lessly for the answer. It came:
g Thanks But / am going directly
to London
Two rosy lips paled and broke apart.
+" shall be very closly occupied with
Imy new book until Christmas continued
Knox
aAnd you will have it finished by that
timesn
g intend to"
Well, then you will need vacation
] am to have a dinner party at Christ.
mas continued Mrs. Wharton, and
should be very glad to have you JOIN us
Il 'sTharks, again.
But will you not comel" asked the
lady.
Kuoz stood with his head bent down.
Suddenly he lifted If. and cast q glance
at Estes drooaing little figure.
81 viii come, | think
Well, it is an engagement then !
shall expect yq1. Come, Elsie, 1T Is
time for little children 70 be in bed"
at makes their eyes bright, " laughed
Knox, as happy Elsie went away
| Angeliques arm was around her as
she went up the steirs
Dear. are you engaged to Mr.. Knoxs'
she whispered
/ & Mo- answered truthful Elsie.
any love, my love, you must be more
prudent"
She opened the door OF her room.
f Elsie followed her with dropping head.
II must warn you. my child. OF
course, Mr.. Knox admires you very
4 much: but men weary of girl who
shows her preference as openly as Won do.
If YOU want to marry this Dir. Knox
though they say he is poor--ycu must
not follow him about so like pet KIT
ten. You must not sit at his feet and
let him caress you so openly"
aThere was no one on the verandah,
cried Elsie, her cheeks on fire. Mr.,
Knox would not IT me do anything that
was wrong
Angellque laughed merrily.
You little simpleton! Well. have
warned you. and he tires of you shall