River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-02-13
CHAPTER II

CHAPTER IL.
II was a merry dinner party. MIR. and
Mrs. Cornthwaite could not do enough to
please their guests, both then and sub
sequently; and being of that order of
people who have sunny notions of life.
and never grow old, they succeeded TO
admiration throughout Twice only dur
| ing the evening had Lionel Grant found
himself in the Immediate society of Miss
SHELTON, once as her partner IN a quadrille,
and again as an sctor with her in cha
rade.
In their interchange of the rippling
amenities of society, there appeared tc
each converser more meaning than those
| littleness usually carry. His words were
earnest, hers haltingly timorous.
II had no idea this morning that / was
to have the pleasure of meeting you here.
l am acquainted with Miss Chadwick
and her sister | met them great deal
in London last season. Is it not singular
they never referred to your
t'Not at ALL Isabel replied. "Our
lives are so different. I am farmers
daus liter, and live in Kent, We are
all busy at home in quite another way
from theirs during what you call the
London season.
After the charade, in which Miss
SHELTON and Mr.. Grant enacted parts,
Isabel's two cousins, who had separately
and conformity observed the what they
were pleased to term brazen Irritation of
the pair, took Isabel to task. 1t was
Clara who spoke.
.Isabel Shelton, Amy and | are more
surprised than words can express. Are
you--are YOU aware that your frequent
conversations with Mr.. Grant, who is
hardened fiirt' {this falsehood coined
on the spot, shave been noticed by others
beside ourselves? Pray be more circum-
spect; otherwise I shall feel it my duty
Is tell papa"
Nothing was farther from Miss Chad
wlck's intentions than the fulfiliment of
this threet, but she hoped it would de-
press her cousin, and it did. The min
utes which sped SO joyously began to
drag with Isabel, who gradually became
intensely miserable, and wished herself
miles away. When Mr.. Grant next ac-
costed her she replied to him with an
air of constraint. Looking unconscious
ly from her face to that of Clara's, he
saw there malicious sparkle which let
light into the cause of Miss Skeletons
change of manner So, she had been
interfering
'-Oh, Mr.. CoTnthwaite, what lovely
moonlight nightm exclaimed Miss Chad
wick later on, as she looked from the
veranda across the shining sea; lido take
us for a walk to Maulin Huet.' The
amusements were by this time tagging,
hot dt1ri,or ba lt11l
Mr. Grant ana her cousin might come to-
gether again.
sTo Maulin Huet tonight, my dear?
Are you mad Remember the moon is
inconstant, and, alas, my climbing days
arc overl But If you will promise to he
very discreet, and Lionel will act as
guide, go by all means. | consigu you
especially to his care. Let us to cards,
my friends, while these madcaps go in
search of the picturesque.
The arrangement harmoDized with
CIara's views, but not with CRAFTS
However, he put che best face he could
on the matter. and led the way, accom-
panied by Miss Chadwick, and followed
by Amy Isabel and two Guernsey young
la lies and their respective cavaliers
Isabel was attended by an ancient beau,
gallant to a fault. Neither of them found
the others conversation very entertaining,
The party had not proceeded far when
Lionel exclaimed:
"Now, ladies, which is it to be, com.
fort or a spice of dangers
"Bv all means let us have some excite
ment," reioined Clara. She had con-
fidence in her protector. The beau, who
a 10 lad
prudedce; but he was overruled. Dis
posing of their trains in manner that
BODIED i'll for the appearance of those ap.
pcnages on the morrow, the ladies vigor
ously pursued the tortuous path which
was struck out by their guide, and the
entire party speedily gained the heights.
In the scramble Isabel who had persistent
ly declined the assistance of her compan-
ion---he really had no super1uous
stamina to spare--found herself alone. 1t
troubled her, so miserable was the mood :
into which she had wrought herself, to re-
main with the rest of the carricious eX-
pedition and so, scarcely needing the
direction in which wandered, she gradual .
" lost the sound of their voices. The wind
was freshening, and driving dark clouds
across the face of the moon IN a manner
that foretold a squall Why were Clara
ard Amy so cruel to herr She was sure
there was nothing in her innocent enjoy
ment of the bright conversation and pleas
ant society Of Lionel Grant what . dear
handsome fellow he was which they
could properly find fault with. They
were Jealous. That was it. They
grudged--
fall, piercing scream, dull thud
and silence.
She had missed her footing on the
shorn grass, which is there as smooth as
velvet, and had been precipitated into the !
ugly depths below.
It is evident that her cry has been
heard A loud ringing shout comes from
the other side of the bay. 1t is the voice /
of Lionel Grant. He has rudely cast
aside Miss Chadwick, and seriously ieop-
ardized the safety of that young lady in /
bis mad anxiety to learn the meaning of 4
that cry of terror.
"Where is Miss Slxeltonl VIII nobody 4
speak? Brave" (the name of the beau, +
"She was in your charge" I
Treating with Indignant scorn the :
stammerIng apologies OF that feeble old \
gentleman, Grant turned to the two Miss .
Chadwirks, now huddled together, and /
said fiercely: h
Il must ask you to take care of Jour
selves
"Oh, Mr. Grant, If anything should 4
have happened to Isabel
'sWould you be very serry9' lie asked,
bitterly. i