River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-01

Der best. Surely she would not be dis
appointed; he would come; il was early |
yet, but hours passed and he came aot. |
she had been dancing; she was ono of
the gayest ot the gay. Again the band |
had commenced, the Lancers were being !
formed, but refusing ON the play of Ia |
tigue and warmth she crossed 20 q win
dow, MS 81 thou hit uuobserved, and
drawing The cur aims together was so deep
ia thought that she Gid rot her the APP
proachinI footsteps until the curtains
were drawn aside and "Miss Merle, ex.
cuse our intrusion, but my friend Nishes
to be introduced, and not knowing when
the opportunity would again be Afforded,
l have taken the liberty of this.
Miss Merle, my friend, Mr.. BAN"
Her heart gave one great leap and
then stood almost still, but
she did not lose her presence of mind,
but bowed low and pronounced his Iame
distinctly. Yes, after eight years OF JOY
aud sorrow, for she had experienced Goth,
she stood face TO face with the man That
had deserted and left her because she
could not aid TO his ambition, but aow
she stood his equal and she would have
revenge. She would exert her power 10
the utmost TO fascinate and draw him to
her side, for she had determined Harry
Balm should again ask her to be his wife
But as they talked on, did he not recog.
nize herr No. But as low musical
laugh floated out in the still evening
Ir.eze it brought back TO his mind the
past and the remembrance of Ethel
Cameron, but he thought it only taacy,
for he never for moment imagined that
the little country girl whom he had part.
ed with SO long ago and the low ly wom
an before him now were the same. Tie
would have deemed it impossible. Ethel
Merle was accomplishing her revenge, Tor
night after night Harry Bain sought her
side and soon learned to love her with
his whole heart. He swore life would
be useless without her; she must, she.
she would be his wife at last, yet he dare
not lay his heart at her feet, for had not
foItune favored her toos He could stand
it no longer would go at unce and
ask her He had been in the drawing
room what seemed TO him hours but
what was in fact only ten minutes) when
the door opened and looking even m0re
beautiful than ever Ethel entered, ana
grasping her hand he dropped on one
knee and told her of his love. He said
"You know, Ethel, can offer nothing
you have not except lie of devotion.
Will you accept it, will you be my wife9'.
After he had finished she said "Arise,
Harry Balm" There was something
in the tone of her voice as there had been
in the sound of her laugh that made him
startle and gaze eagerly into her eyes
and there saw look that brought
thoughts of Ethel Cameron again To his
mind. "Really," she continued, "has time
wrought such a change in me that you
who knew me best know me no more!
Do you remember, Hairy Balm" she
went on, "eight years ago when you left
me you promised should we ever meet
again you would tell me if by your own
choice you had gained happiness" When
she had concluded speaking be sprang
forward and catching her hands in his
exclaimed, "Oh, Ethel, my dar ,ng, ]
know you now, know why love Fou.
Forgive and forget and bid NE hope, for
On, Ethel, as true as there is a heaven
above / have never ceased to love and
think of you and there have been hours
in my life when thought would give
up everything" And then snatching
away the hands she intTusted him with,
she said, cit can never be-y ears ago you
cast away my love, bid all hopes depart,
a thousand times no; | would never srust
my happiness to one so false as you. Nc,
Harry Balm, the time has gone by when
would have bteE your wife. Now would
rather die" ooh, Ethel, have pity, ox
plain this mystery" And she told him
of the eight years past. how her father
claimed her, how he helped aud encCur-
aged her in her final success and when
she thought she had at last found happi.
ness death took her father. Then she
said, looking him full in The face, 'you
cannot wonder that my love Tor you died
olt long ago. No. repeat | can never
be your wife; go look for one elsewhere
| doubt not you can find many who
would be proud to be called Mrs. s'a'n,
but did they know you as well | they
would snurn and despise you rs do.
! will be in one month from this night
Wilson Warrens wife, and pointing her
finger to the door said, Go: l have had
nv revenge He raised his head and
gazsd at her for a moment, then placing
has hands to his heart cried, "Oh Eth |,
may God forgive" and he tottered, reeled
and feel at her feet. She stopped to raise
him but in vain, for Harry Balm was
dead. That fatal disease that robbed
him of his parents had claimed him too.
And Ethel Merle was indeed reveDged,
but the shock was too much for her, and
ere she had been the wife of Wilson War
rem six months they made her grave
near her father and mother and left her
quietly sleeping the sleep that knows mt
waking.