River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-03
BREAKING THE BONDS.
L.. O..

make a goose of myself, and disgust
CHARLIE
The lady addressed, turned from the
glass, and very deftly placed the droop-
ing moss rosebuds In her companions
dark hair, artistically arranged tiny
bunch of the same exquisite flowers IN
the belt of the slender waist, and a. the
white throat, and then stepped back to
admire the effect.
Exquisite! Gertie. You are looking
lovely tonight. Such color-such eyes
Take my word for it, Charlie Denton
cannot be disappointed"
Gertie Melton turned and flashed a
glance at herself in the great pier-glass,
which disclosed slight girlish form, ex-
quisitely rounded, robed in snowy muslin,
ruffied, and fiuted, and festooned In the
fashion OF nowadays. But tears were in
her lovely eyes, as she turned away from
the glass, saying:
"Cousin Annie, / am a miserable
coward, and shall utterly fail in making
the desired impression. Oh Annie, dear,
take my name and place Just for tonight.
We shall be able TO deceive him, | know,
for every one talks of how much we re-
semble each other. We both bear the
name of Miss Melton, and it will be easy
to exchange positions. Besides, it will be
such fun;' and she laughed in an almost
hystercal manner.
''And the ring, Gerti2n
"You must of course wear it for to-
night, ''and she tremblingly took from her
hand a magnificent diamond ring, and
placed it upon her cousin finger. ''Now
remember You are TO be Miss Gertie
Melton, the affianced wife of Charles
Denton, and your cousin, Annie Melton.
Act your part, and l will mine"
The two girls, as they stood with
clasped hands, looked strangely alike,
both in form and feature, but thev were
as unlike in temperament, and manner,
ana voice as possible. Gertie was all en-
thusiasm, graceful, sparkling and impul-
sive to marked degree, while her cousin
was calm and impressive as a summer sea,
matter of fact, and devoid of the least
romance in her composition--one of the
class of women who make excellent,
methodical housekeepe.s, and whose en-
tire life is an accumulation OF hard facts
without single dream.
Charles Denton, the subject of so much
discussion, had that day arrived from a
foreign shore, and had taken rooms at
one of the fashionable hotels. He had
intended to call Immediately upon his
affianced, but had met with an old friend
the only one who would be likely to
recognize him after an absence of five
years, from he fact that they had been
fellow students in German university.
II saw Miss Melton he told him, sat
the opera, last evening, and she informed
me that she would attend the ball at Mrs
Vandevere's to- night. l can easily pro-
cure you an invitation, and you will have
plenty of time to dine and dress. You
will certainly meet the lady there look
ing her Ioveliest. What say you, Charley
I will call for you with the carriage"
"a pleasant arrangement, old chum
Especially as | feel slightly nervous about
our meeting. All, ne how time changes
ones feelings. l am not half as eager,
presume, as ought to be. or as / would
once have been"
How i'll the name of divinity did you
come to bind yourself, Charley2 Hasty
courtships, and a speedy execution fol
me. Graciousl [ could not live five
mortal years bound, and yet not tied, as
YOU have been-would not for king
DOM"
"Did you never hear the romantic
storv9 Well, Gertie may have changed
but five years ago she was as lovely and
sparkling fairy as ever danced among
the moonbeams and flowers. | was moi
twenty, she but fifteen, when we fell
madly in love with each other. OF course
old Squire Melton and my governor OBJ.
jected to the engagement, upon the first
ground of our lack of years and exper-
fence. So, one day the dear child con
sented to nv proposition of an elopment
Of that it is enough to say that We were
| followed and found, by our frantic and
enraged PARENTS before the tying of the
knot was completed. Just as we were
about to be pronounced man and wife,
| the proceeding came to az abrupt termln-
alton l was packed Oft to Germany TO
complete my education and cool my
| boyish ardor, and she, poor child, in q
deluge of tears, was sent away toa female
prison, called boarding school. The
only concession VIC could gain from our
respective parents was this: Gertie was
to be permitted to wear my engagement
ring, and if when we had fully matured
in mind and body We still chung TO each
other, they would place no further diff
eulties in the way of our union. My dear,
sensible old father is, as you know, with
the saints and. sages in the better land,
leaving me no master but my own will"
"And that is. Charley9.'
ITO abide by any decision the lady
may make in the matter p"
''She is trump, old fellow; and | am
thinking that after yau have seen her,
you will use your best efforts to influence
her decision. But az reDoir. shall
come per appointment"
Left alone, Denton sat down and pen
ned and despatched note to Miss Gertie
Melton, informing her of his arrival, and
that he would meet her at the house OF
Mrs Vandevere. 1t was received as the
young lady was putting the last touches
TO her toilet, aud threw her into tiutter
of confusion.
The elegant mansion of the VandeveTes
was brilliant Light, flowers, and music.
co nbined with the rich dresses and jew
els, and fair forms and faces of the
elite OF the CITY made scene for pain
ter. Through the gorgeous array the
Misses Meltontrailed their spotless robes,
paid their respects TO the hostess, and
dropped quietly into a retired corner,
where they were soon joined by many an
admirer.
''See, Annie" whispered Gertie to ner
cousin, 'that is he. OH l should know
him amid thousand. That tall, dark,
grand looking man with Mr.. Judson, who
is paying his respects to Mrs. Vandevere.
Be firm, Annie, dear, and wait my COM
ing here;' and the lovely girl glided
away.
A moment after as Judson and his
friend were making their way from group
to group in search of Miss Melton, a
servant accosted him thus:
"a lady wishes to see you in the con-
servatory, Mr.. Judson."
Take care of yourself, Charley, | will
be back in few moments" he said, as
he followed the messenger.
To his intense surprise. he found
among the flowers the radiant Gertie,
who at once proceeded to unfold to him
her stratagem, and gained his secrecy
and assistance. Then they separated,
and Judson returned 70 his friend, and
after CHANGING about him for few mo-
ments, pointed out the cousins.
"There they are, Charley, as alike as
two peas. Which will you choose, roses
or geraniumsG You see that is the only
difference in their toilet"