The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-16

a shooting trip up the river. 1t had pleased
one q us, his first friend. to feign deep mel,
in vain to rouse him: The young fellow
"Our friend" he said, fought to be watched.
Men In his state Of mind have been known to
do strange things" ], Of course, encouraged
man, after hastily wringing our hands and
murmuring that ut would be borne no long
err" leaped into the river. What followed
helped me afterWard to understand the sequel
Of this story. Without moments hesitation
that brave yonng fellow threw offhis coat and
boots, and Owed after his friend. He was not
strong swimmer, however, and that little
rick was near being our last. When we tlshed
him up he was half drowned.
He rose in our estimation from that mo-
ment, though it was not in the nature Of
things that we could give up our diversion,
when Hazard called me away from our set,
Element to little place at some distance.
went willingly, for the house at which was
to be entertained was presided over by a
young lady whom it always gave me great
pleasure to meet. She was the daughter Of
clever and intelligent girl, and to my taste
peculiarly handsome. It had struck me,
moreover-no harm in confessing it now;
there is an age, you know, when we read
volumes in smile-it had struck me then
that the beautiful Eleanor Hartley had a
But on this occasion it seemed to me that
something was wrong with Miss Eleanor.
She sustained her part in the conversation
only with an effort. She was languid and de-
pressed
"This detestible climate is telling on her.
was my conclusion, and eutdid myself in my
efforts to be amusing.
At such times, as we know-if, that is to
say, we are not born takers, like our friends
of the Emerald Isle-there comes the moment
when everything is used up. Neither joke
nor fun, nor lively anecdote will visit the
distressed brain. Nothing remains but to
choose between naked commonplace and
doleful silence. To me, one evening at dinner
such moment came. Up to that time flor
our host was silent many Ihad done all tho
talking, and Miss Eleanor's eyes had often
mutely thanked me- coull help her now no
longer. In the silence that followed on this
dreary conception she raised her gentle
face! How hard she was trying to be anima-
ted; and how felt for her! Happy thought!
Had l been alone l should have cut q caper
1t struck me all at once that I had not yet told
| them about our newcomer, and the tricks
which we had played upon him. This, if only
properly managed would afford food for
lighter and amusement for days.
20! by the BY" began, II have not told
you about the new fellow who arrived at our
place the other day."
| Certainly Miss EleanOr's eyes were fixed on
me with a interest such as she had not hith
erto accorded to any of my stories, and thus
encouraged, I proceeded boldly, telling them,
| ouly with much more gusto what I have Just
told you, about the letters and advertise
ments, the dead mans cards, and the false
suicide l was SO taken up with my own
cleverness that did not notice the way in
which my story was being received by my
hostess. Judge then of my establishment and
dismay when, as I ended with an insane little
chuckle, she suddenly burst out:
And you call yourselves men? Do you
know whatl call you?"
| my dear Nellie" said her father.
II was speeches.. She fixed her eyes on
my face, and the position, I assure you, was
| singularly uncomfortable one.
! Il call you cowards," she went on, sand
and" evidently she was at loss for an ex-
pressiYe word.
g. Miss Hartley" said, deeply penitent,
pray say no morc,' she answered coldly.
Papa, will leave you to your wine''
did not see her again during my STAY
| which, as you may guess, was not prolonged
beyond the time absolutely necessary, This
| abrupt and mysterious interruption of an &C.
Guardianship that had promised to prove
interesting cut meup more than I can well
express. I tried to cast the whole matter out
OF mind. could not. In'every quietmoment
would find myself running over the unfor-
| tunate occurance and trying to account for it.
Had she known him before? Was she in love
with him? The idea first made me turn hot,
then cold. But no! impossible. Not the
pyfrQVa nf fanau 4xrro
images, of Eleanor HARTLEY and of our simple
little newcomer, stand side by side. Looked
at from another point ofvieW, the thing was
equally absurd. A score of men admired
Eleanor Hartley-fne stalwart fellows, the
pick of our community, for none other would
have ventured to lift their eyes so high-men
broad-chested and deep-voiced, and well-vers
ed in every kind of world lore. Was it not
preposterous to imagine that this pulling boy
could be her choice? How then was to ex-
plain her displeasure? I did explain it. It
would be hard for you to guess how. But at
certain times, you know, our thoughts are
peculiarly obedient to impulses communicate
ed to them by a will with which our desires
have tempered. 1 said to myself Elanor Hart
ley twas disappointed in me. Yes, this was the
meaning of it all. That should have Joined
in intlicting annoyance on helpless fellow
creature vexed her. And really, when ]
look back calmly, the whole thing began to
wear an ugly aspect Well, it was annoying.
But time plays havoc with impressions. Elean-
or would be sorry, doubtless, for her hastness.
l could easily put the matter in a different |
light. All would be well. ., g. !
Meanwhile I returned to my own quarters |
where, as presently found, events of an ex |
citing character were under discussion. Miss
Hartley, was told, had come to pay visit to |
her married sister, who lived in our settlement |
AS we were not cheered by the. presence of |
any unmarried ladies, this was of course an |
occurrence of the first magnitude. But fur
ther, a large dinner was to be given at our
club, to which all the ladies and our new
conner were invited. He had been persuaded
that the dinner was given in his honor, and
was to be beguiled into making a speech,
from which much fun was expected. threw
cold water on his scheme. | was afraid, you
see, that Miss Hartley would see in 1T another
malicious trick and be further incensed
against me. But once a ball Of such sort is
set rolling, it requires hand of peculiar
force to stop it. Mine was not able for the feat.
and my friends arranged their plt Of action
tbat be- Should 6 think X not
l lie before Miss Eleanor. It would be sure
to destroy any sentimental liking she might
have had for him. so held nv neace and fho |