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

termination, her eyes closed, and with a
low moan of agony she sank to the floor
in death like swoon.
For five years Guy wandered through
Europe; tor five years he vainly strove
to find forgetfulness and happiness in
cons;an exciment and change of scene;
but failing in this be had at last resolved
to visit again the land of his birth, if
only to mark the Iavages which time had
made among his old friends. So he re-
urned to London.
Not once had suspicion of Fred Ac-
tons treaschery crossed his mind, foT TO
Guy he had always shown the better part
OF his nature; besides the proof OF Nell
lies dupIicity had seemed too conclusive
to admit of any lingering doubt his love
might have suggested.
And Nellie2 Thrown into nervous
fever by the cruel note from Guy, she
aavered long between life and death:
but finally her perfect constitution gained
! the victory, and she again mingled in the
gay world of fashion; but certain sad
ness was perceptible in her manner
and weary look in her blue eyes
showed that her heart was not interested
in the gay scenes by which she was sur
rounded.
yainly had Fred Acton sued for Ler
hand. Feeling that he was in some man.
ner connected with Guys mysterious be-
havior. she had only scorn to give him.
At first she had hoped tLat some trivial
act of hers had displeased Guy and he
would soon return. but as the weeks rolled
on and no word came from the absent
one. she finally ceased to expect him.
FRED Acton. after repeated refusals
from Nellie, had at last given up all
hopes of winning her hand; but, loving
her still, as much as his selfish nature
was capable Of loving, he attempted to
drown his sorrow in the wine cup; and
with drinking and fast horses, was rapid
ly eating up the handsome property lett
him by his father. One day, while rid
ing as break neck speed, his horse, fright
ened at fluttering rag, SHE'D, and threw
him. When the hastily summoned phys
ician had examined his wounds, h. pro-
nouced him MORALLY injured.
Knowing, then, that for him all
thoughts of revenge on Guy were useless.
and that he must soon render up 40 ac-
count of his evil deeds, his thoughts
turned to Nellie, with feeble wish that
he could undo the wrong he had done.
So he dedicated letter, confessing his
sin, begging her forgiveness, and con
tanning the locket, and dispatched it TO
the injured girl, who, true woman that
she was, could not but pity the dying man
bitterly as he had wronged her, and that
he might not die thinking himself un-
forgiven, sent note to the hotel to
which he had been carried, but the mes
senger reached there only in time to hear
that the unhappy Fred Acton had breath
eu his last.
Guy had supposed that Nellie and Fred
were long since married but hardly had
be set foot in London when he was re-
cogn;zed and accosted by one Of his old
friends, who among the gossip he had to
relate concerning Guys old circle of ac-
quaintances, mentioned the fact of Fred
Actions death, and also said that Miss
Pomeroy was as beau iful as ever, but
unmarried. At this Guys heart throb-
bed wildly. and his brain almost reeled
with the idea that pc, haps his own rash
from his lips. Gould there have been
treachery IN Fred Actions conduct, and
had he wronged Nellie all these weary
years!
Wildly he asked himself these ques-
lions while on the way to his hotel, and
by the time he had arrived there he had
resolved that he would at Leaf see Nellie
and have an explanation with her. Once
more he turned his steps toward the we'll
known house where he bad spent the hap
piest hours of his life; once more he was
ushered into the familiar room, where
even the pictures an the walls seemed to
smile on him in friendly recognition
Bronzed by travel, the old family servant
failed to remember him, SO he gave no
name, merely requesting to see Miss
Pomeroy.
Nellie soon appeared; but hardly had
she crossed the threshold when the eyes
of love recognized him, and with wild
scream of Guy, dear Guy" she was fold
ed TO his heart.
Long explanations followed. Nellie
told of the loss of her locket on the day
of Guys last visit, and how she had re-
GREETED it. being his gift. S.e also tolo
of the dying confession of Fred Acton,
and his restoration of her locket, which
she showed him, worn on blue ribbon
about her neck.
Guy, penitent but loving, was fully for
given by his deeply wroDged Nellie, who,
in the ioy of such reunion, had no heart
to blame him.
Soon after there was grand wedding
in the stately mansion; and, although
the fair brides ornaments were milk
white pearls, there hung suspended from
he central cluster of her necklace tiny
l1.oI-ot hoari,cs ON II LlI1e tnrnet-