River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-02-28

garden stroll with rival, Mr.. Oakley.
and Lynhurst had carelessly drawn up
his outstretehed legs, as he sat lazily on
the varanda steps, to let them pass down
without other notice of their presence.
He had, she decided, fairly ill treated
her, lady, and she would not tolerate
rudeness. She would teach him what
was due to her.
| But days passed. A week wore on.
She found no possible chance to visit her
anger on him. He never Joined her. He
was always civil and we'll bred, but that
was all She was downright perplexed.
| She scarcely ever met him, even at
table, much less of an evening. He went
fishing by sunrise, rode on horse back half
the day, and at night asked the gentle
men up to his chamber; the ladies, sit
ting lonely in the parlor, heard through
the open windows, laughter ring out and
gay songs Beng sung. 1t was getting
maddening.
One evening Madgc curled herself up
on sofa and looked at the matter serious
ly. She must outgeneral him. But how!
She had tried hauteur and it had
signally failed. Now she would try a
dash of giving in" even though it hurt
her so to do. She would plant herself on
the old footing
Just then Lyndhnrst stepped into the
room, cautiously at first, as il fearing her
presence. She immediately rose to meet
him. He did not start, but looked her
over from head to foot without a word.
She gayly said
Don't you think your highness is over
doing things a trife2" Then she lost con-
troll of herself and showed her vexation.
"Sing to me," she cried, ''walk with me,
talk to me, do anything to obliterate this
doleful week"
"Well, Miss Barron, he answered cool
I1y, suppose we talk and walk. I'll
say, under the stars, what / said under
the oaks, and you shall give me true
answer"
She looked at him a moment, then
fairly blaZed: 81 never saw such per-
sistence. Thank Heaven go home to-
morrow, where gentlemen know what is
due to lady and take mo- for mo- with
out getting sullen. Good night, Mr. Bar
rington; and good-by. If you ever con
sent to be less boorish, persistent, shall
be pleased to see you in town"
''He watched her out Of the room, and
then sat down to the piano
Miss Barron's first impulse was to seek
out the party on the lawn; but, somehow,
every face on earth, but one, seemed
tame. Then she resolved to go into the
library and read; but books were so wea-
rying.
Il would play" she said pettishly, If
that pig-h headed masculine was not mo-
nopolizing the piano.
Just at this point she burst into tears.
Crying, usually, to Miss Barron, consisted
of a couple of tears mopped up by bit
of lace. She had never before thrown
herself down, in such limp shape and got
into such thorough tempst of weeping,
as now. She was an hour at it. Grad
ually she got calmer; she sat up, and be-
gan to consider what was best to do
She tried to think of going home as a
pleasure soon at hand. Home! What
had she there? Only an old aunt, who
dozed in a lace cap, with cup of choco-
late at her elbow half the time. The
memory of the pleasant days spent here
would drive her wild, in that gloomy house.
Then she acknowledged that it would be
terrible anywhere without-without-
She jumped to her feet.
He will drive me Wild" she said,
/" banging in that way on the piano"
"She passed into the hall and looked
into the drawing-room, where he sat plac-
idly playing.
''Poor fellow" she thought, chow can
call i obstinacy; it looks like misery
written all over his features. And isn't he
superb looking? Why, no one else has
ever approached him; and he will be
mine if say it,
Suddenly-can you comprehend it,
she walked straight into the parlor and
stole up behind him, put her arms about
his neck and pressed her cheeks against
his.
Not word was said for some moments;
but his fingers fell from the keys, his arms
dropped listlessly at his sides, his head
sunk lower and lower on his breast, and
Madge felt a mist gathering in her eyes, a
mist Of happy tears "Come out under the
stars" she whispered. Il want to say
yes to you"
II am answered ,Madge, y he said, draw
ing one of her hands over his shoulder
and talking with it against his lips. LET
us not mar this moment of surprise and
| Joy by a singleword."
"Lyndhurst, you are provoking as ever.
When l would not, must; now | will, |
shall not | shall have to practice hu-
mility, see, and study my lords moods.
You've played the high hand long
enough, and l insist on saying yes in my
own way There, now, if you don't want
TO speak again ID an hour I will rest my
! face here and dream"
II don't think you will find me a ty-
rant" he said, kissing her. "But come
out, Madge, and let's compare our mutual
miseries during the past week"
He led her through the open window,
holding back the swaying vines for her
to pass. There, arm and arm, under the
stars, LET us leave them.