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

Long shafts OF moonlight were shooting
down through what seemed an almost I'M
penetrable wood and quivering on the
green moses. A faint wind dallied with
foliage. Wild flowers flecked the ground
Here, in this sylvan retreat sat Miss
Barron, and she was very much out OF hui
NOR. for every now and then she drove the
point of her parasol into the unotfending
MOSES. She looked and was downright
disgusted with everything and everybody.
The belle of three seasons, dnring which
she had escaped heart-whole, she was now
Caught and all because of three weeks
soiourn at q country villa.
Madge mad never been off her guard
before. Hitherto she had visited fashion
able wetering places; but this year she
had come to quieter place, and had met
Lindhurst harrington. She did not yet
know, however. she was in thralldom.
She only knew she was cross and lone
some; and she sat punching the little
blossoms and pouting. She thought Bar
rington exceedingly companionable, and
that the other four gentlemen stopping at
the villa were little better than wooden
men. As for downright, earnest love,
why her intentions for three years had
been never to venture her heart at sea,
but only to glide the about shore, flirting,
safe to disembark any time Yet she was
now thinking of Lindhurst Darlington in
way many would have termed love
But she would not admit this to herself
He was delightful summer friend, that
was all, she said She liked summer,
and flowers, and birds, and hazy atmos-
pheres, and quiet filtration; but when
these went, the coming season brought
new enioyments and fresh firtations and
Darlington could go with them. Were
there not others, pray, who could read
Tennyson and sing tenor2 But now, just
this moment, it was rather lonesome. II
he only would come
He had gone to town the morning
previous, promising to return IN the
evening. She had walked with hin
through this wood-path, on his way to the
station. He had fingered moment at
the stile beyond to tell her how beautiful
she looked-how the fresh morning air
had frightened the color on her checks.
Come this evening as far as here to
meet me-" he had said, Won't yous
The path will be horrid labyrinth with
out YOU"
You will surely returnl'' she had
asked if you don't, ] shall find every tree
a hobgoblin when go back alone"
"Return indeed / shall think OF
nothing else. / shall do nothing all day
but pull out my watch to see if 1t Is time
for the train"
Then he caught her hand in quick
way, thought a moment, bounded over
the stile, and fastened down the path,
turning often to look back at the pretty
picture she made. hstlessly leaning on the
stile, with tinge of regret in her face
At turn where she would soon be hid
from sight he had dared to wave her a
kiss.
Madge was now waiting according t.
appointment, and she had taken care K
concoet a most ravishing toilet.
But all her little Freparations;were vast
ed Lyndhursi Darlington did not come
Still she waited 1t seemed so unreason
able, so cruel, to disappoint her Per
haps be was only trying to tease her, haC
| GOT out unseen, and would surprise he
| BY his appearance.
doleful sosIgh of wind, coming from
the dark reeesses Of the wood, sudden
shutting down Of night, made Miss Barrol
feel something like fear; and she starte,
nervorsly to return. As il grew darke
her dread became terror; she fancie,
strange noises were about; her feet scarce
! " touched The ground; she skinned on
! fluttering at heart like some iow-fyin.
! bird beiated from It's nest.
| Wlsat wonder that she vowed tina
e4s4s 75.41h3&k.y4 yxsa
/ II forgive Mr. Barringtoal What Eonde
] that harmless little buuch Of violet
which he had gathered for her the da1
/ previous and which he had treasured il
( 4 vase On her dressing case, she nov