River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-16

Did no one else care Tor your
Miss Ethel smiled queerly, and after
slight hesitation said "Yes."
"Wno was it, auntie p
Colonel Powell.
sob, aunt So you wanted M to dC
a thing you would not do your. If"
Eyes, dear. "You wanted to marry
/ did not. When / was twenty Years
of age. if had wanted to marry at all
/ should have married for wealth and
position. Colonel Powell can give hif
wife these advantages.
Are you still in love with this Mr.
Early's memory
"No, l am not. II should meet
him to-day, / do not think | should
care to speak to him"
"Is he alive?'
al suppose 50. l heard OF his marri-
age ten years ago.
Poor auntit
Don't pity me child. | am to be
CONGRATULATED. If it had not been for
dear fathers opposition, should have
married for love, given my fortune and
my life into the keeping of selfish,
tickle MANN fact, made just such a
little fool Of myself as you are about TO
make"
aunt, do you really think that Har-
~ would forget me in a few weeks or
month";
"Of course he would"
81 viii try him."
"You will act very wisely to do so.
Eoise, am glad | have told you my
sad little story; it may make you look
before you leap. Where does Harry
generally leave your
con the little bridge outside the
Place"
"Do not say Farewell there. Low
ers who part over running water never
meet again. Give him every lawful
chance. You may bring him into the
park tonight"
So few hours afterward there was a
very bitter parting under the oaks in
Bruce Park. Eloise was almost shocked
when It was over. In her heart she
had only intended to frighten Harry,
hut her lover had taken the proposal too
seriously, and things had been said that
she could not unsay. AT first, indeed
Harry had laughed at Miss Ethel's doubt
Of him, aud his laughter had provoked
Eloise. She did not like the thing treat
ed as a joke. eft was very serious
matter, and she did not see how Harry
could laugh at the idea of not seeing her
for eleven months"
For eleven months was the time she
had fixed upon as her lovers probation.
In eleven months she would be of age,
and could claim her small fortune. If
Harry were true to her. she would then
be willing to begin life with him on four
thousand dollars. Besides, she had q
shrewd idea that if she humOred her
aunt thus far, Miss Ethel would not
withdraw her favor.
Harry was indignant at all such pru-
Dental considerations. He spoke very
disrespectfully of Bruce Park, and de-
clared he would not say Thank you
for every acre of it. and the old wooden
mansion thrown in, and that eleven
months was an eternity; they might as
we'll say g0Od-by forever.
Then Eloise argued that sit was very
well for him to talk of living on two
thousand a year and each others love.
Men could get society, and have people
speak decently to them, even if they
could only afford one new suit in twelve
months; but u woman's friends depend
ed on the condition of her wardrobe,
and she wondered if even Harry's love
could stand shabby, old-fashioned
dress, and one-button kid gloves"
Harry twas sure she would make any
dress look elegant" and Eioise said an
grily, "He was very absurd" and
thought 50 too. So the end of all was
that Harry babe her Farewell till the
9TH of the following June, and that with
many tears and protestations they final
ly began their self-imposed trial of each
others fidelity.
The next mornings paper announced
the sudden departure of Mr.. Henry
Torrons for New York on business of
importance likely to detain him some
months" and Eloise was angry enough
at the information. She had hoped
Harry would try again to convince her
of &" the folly of parting" and she was
determined ut this interview to be con-
WINGED.
For some weeks Miss Ethel did not
have a very happy time. Eloise wan
dered in the park, or about the big
silent house, and was not at all cheerful
company At first Harry's letters were
so long and frequent that a great deal
of her time was satisfactorily employed
i'll answering them. But by degrees
they grew both shorter and less fire.
quent, and toward the beginning of
winter they stopped altogether.
The two women looked sadly in each
others face at the empty post-box every
morning, and Miss Ethel had her will
made during these days, and left her
niece all she had, as some compensa-
ton. But yet often when she saw the
sad face that had once been so bright
and pretty, she half reprOached herself,
and wondered whether, where ignorance
is bliss, if it be not fully to be wise.
OQe day toward spring. bright,
warm day for the season-EIoise, who
had now long ceased even hoping for a
letter, was walking slowly up and down
the great hall dividing the large draw
ing-roOm and the late Mr.. Bruce's
library from the rest of the house. These
rooms were very seldom opened, and
still more seldom used. Eloise only
remembered two or three grand oc-
casions on which they had been used
for great entertainments, the last being
that which introduced her into society
two years previously.
A sudden fancy seized her; she would
throw back the closed blinds, and let
the spring sunshine into the dark rooms.
Besides, there were all kinds of curious
ornaments there, and a great many
books; to examine them would pleasant
" pass a few hours. Miss Ethel readily
aged. She was glad to see her niece
interest herself in any thing that could
beg1iie thought from the one sad,
morhiying subject of her desertion.
Toward noon she went to seek Eloise.
Her first glance showed her the girl
sitting ;houghtfully upon the hearth-rug
with her lap full of letters, and queer
furnished Hindoo Iewelry. She sprang
up to meet her aunt, and with a
strangely solemn excitement cried out
''0a, aunlie, they are yours, all yoursl
l was looking at that queer cabinet and
my dress turned it over, and piece
fell out Of the bottom, and these things
we're scattered about" Then she ran
ont Of the room, shutting the door care
fully behind her.
Poor Miss Ethel needed her privacy
Here was her lovers vindication. here
were all the sweet words for which she
had nearly died He had suffered all
sbe nod suffered. be had Y401rad ont