River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-02

1t was not long before the rumor was
rife in the neighborhood that Mrs. La
grange had married a middle-aged city
millionaire, and that the young widow
and her child had found new protector
in place of the one death had taken from
them.
Years fitted by was twenty-four;
had fought through the great rebellion
entered the army private and came out
of it a captain, shattered in health, and
utterly depleted in pocket, to find myself
at home again, ill and altogether distrust-
full of fortunes smile.
In my frequent walks to the village
post-office, | often passed by the red
school-house, and never without sigh of
regret for the many happy, care-free days
spent within its battered walls.
Among the letters handed to me one
morning was one postmarked New York,
which Informed me of the agreeable fact
that, through the lnstrumentality
of friendof mine, whom he
was anxious to serve, the under
signed, MIR. Maxwell, had been
induced to extend to me a commercial
opening at the liberal salary of two thou
sand a year, to be increased if merited.
There was fortune for me in the offer, and
/ accented of it with alasritv.
Mr.. Maxwell, rich New York mer-
chant, from the first took lively interest
in my advancement. The unknown friend
/ could not account for in any other way
than supposing it to be some soldier COM
rade whom / had betriended in the past.
Within a month / was fairly establish
ed at my new post of duty, and succeed
so well in pleasing Mr.. Maxwell, that at
the end of my second year he sent me to
Europe in the interest at the house.
When | returned, was given week s
vacation, which | spent among the breezy
hills of my old country home, passing
the pleasant September days in tramping
through the weeds and bypaths and
fields that were the chosen haunts of my
boy hood.
| was Just turning the curve in the
road where the Canada thistles grew, and
so lost in my walking revery, that was
almost opposite lady standing in their
midst before was aware of her presence.
~ am glad you still love theold scenes,
Mr.. Durand," she said, Without express
ing the least surprise.
was astonished Here was a lady
who, to the best of my knowledge, | had
never seen before, addressing me as tami
liarly as If we had known each other all
our lives.
"Names are treacherous things, and if
| were ever SO fortunate as to have known
yours, am guilty of having forgotten
it." replied.
''Men forget easily, am told: but
had hoped to find you an exception to the
rule"
A very awkward silence on my part en-
sued. She took pity on my evident EN-
barrassment, and continued:
"Has your battle with the world entire
ly driven from your recollection all the
old school faces?"
Her voice dropped to its old sweet,
clear, winning cadence, thrilling my
whole being with delight.
''1deltna!'
caught her hand, and, before knew
what was doing, had carried it to m
lips and kissed it.
Excuse me- | stammered; "but /
am so glad to see you, and you seem just
the same little girl | kissed here years
ago-not bit taller, not bit older
only Adeiina, always lovely and always
loved"
Then | told her all about myself, how
prosperous | was, and the strange man
ner in which had been brought to the
notice OF my kind employer When |
had finished, she merely said, In her
simple way:
= ~ know il"
"You appear to know every thing. Do
you know Mr.. MAXWELL"
ale is my father"
'And my unknown friend"
"AdelIna.n
l staggered back, in my soul ashamed
that should owe every good in life-ev-
erything-to a woman who owed me
nothing but the poor favor of once having
united for her a wretched blackand-
white worsted hood. l turned away, cut
to the heart, but she put out OBTAINING
hand.
"Dont go, Mr.. Durand-that is, don't
go feeling hurt; for it would make me
very unhappy If you were to go away
angry with me-"
unhappy! What am l, that pain to
me should render you unhappy" | an
swered, bitterly.
II knew of no other way in which to
express my gratitude
"Gratitude for what?n The question
was rudely abrupt, but she took no notice
of my ungracious speech.
"Gratitude for the kindness given me
long ago and which | have missed ever
since the day we parted here by the
roadside"
"Are you conscious Of what you are
saying, Adelina9"
perfectly"
"How am l to understand your words2,
"That leave to your good judgment, y
she smiled, lowering her eyes.
She han an instant illustration of my
"good Judgment" in the way l imprison
ed her two little hands in both of mine,
and kissed the sweet mouth for its shyly
whispered promise.
/ walked home with Adelina-O, SC
happy and when / asked her hand OF
Mr.. Maxwell, he said:
81 have anticipated your request by
keeping you under my eye for more than
two years. Adelins is the best and tru-
est girl in the world, but | believe you
to be as worthy of her as any man living,
ana give her to you confident that you
know how to prize the treasure you have
won.n
And so not long thereafter, married
Adelina, the love of my boyhood,
and the crowning glory of my latei
years.