River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-03

,ohcefhlhg MS stay ABROAD, ana MS jour
ley home.
''You quite surprised my cousin" she
said, with sparkling eyes. "She did not
expect you until the next steamer, I be-
ieve."
II hope it was pleasant surprise, Miss
he replied.
"Oh! certainly. You see / know all
about your romantic engagement" and
she laughed, blushed, and cast down her
eyes In the most coquettish manner, for
Judson and Annie had strolled away,
leaving the real lovers together, and
Charley Denton was completely charmed.
"Of course you, like every one else,
think us very foolish2"
''Not |. | think it must have been
splendid" looking up, archly. ut is out
OF the way of ordinary courtships-a real
romance"
Rather childish one, our parents
with which the lady is dis
gusted by this time"
"Ah no. That is impossible. know
my cousin too well. She has a real affec-
ton for you. The love of true woman
is ever steadfsst and Interchangeable. 1t
is the other Sc x who weary of bonds"
And the color deepened in her fair
cheek.
They had been walking slowly along
away from the glare of the lights and
heated rooms, and reached the cool per
fumed conservatory, when he answered ::
You, Miss Melton, are much more ike
what expected your cousin would be.
When we parted five years ago, she was
all impulse and enthuiasm. Now she is
so cold and passionless that hardly dare
approach her. Will you be my messenger.
and say that if She"
mo, mop and she shook her head,
laughingly. "You must not expect me
to NEEDLE with your love affairs. You
must see her yourself. Trust me that you
will find Cousin Gertie honorable and
frank"
Charley Denton was in love, and that
al first sight. But then, he argued, this
loveliest of all beings was more like the
one he had worshiped so ardently in his
boyhood.
That night he sat in his room at the
hotel with his brain filed with thou
sand plans. Sometimes he resolved to at
once write to Miss Gertie, and dissolve
the engagement. He would then be free
to wed the one he really loved.
Morning found him as far from de-
cision as ever, and he wrote simple note
requesting an interview, and begged her
to decide whether the engagement should
be considered binding. There was not a
word of his own feelings; but the cousins
laughed merrily over it.
Rather a poor compliment to me, ="
pouted Annie. Had been the real Ger
tie, l should have been furiOusly jealous.
Why, he had the fr9nkness to hint at my
not being quite as charming as when we
parted years ago! And for the rest of
the evening was your most devoted cav
alier. To me, he was frigidly polite
nothing more"
"Ohl but it was jolly! You ought to
have heard our confidential talk concern
ing his engagement. He asked me if
did not consider 1t childish"
And her laugh was like ripping music.
When the appointed Lour drew near
Charley Denton, with many a shrug of
his aristocraric shoulders, prepared for
the disagreeable visit, and as he walked
up the stone steps of the Melton mansion
he felt very much like a criminal.
A lady arose. and came forward to
meet him as he entered the semi lighted
drawing room. He presumed il to be his
affianced; but the first words of her well
come undeceived him. 1t was the beau
tifu. cousin who had so stormed his
heart; and, after they were seated, and
the usual commonplace passed, the sup
posed Miss Annie began business.
my cousin, Mr.. Denton, is not we'll
in fact, not quite rested from last nights
fatigue, and wishing to avoid the
unpleasantness of a conference with you,
has deputed me to return you this; and
she drew from her finger their engage
ment ring.
He took it mechanically, and his mind
flashed back to the time when he had
placed it upon the hand of his almost
bride, and for an instant sorrow appeared
on his expressive face, and his voice
slightly trembled, as he replied:
II argue from this, Miss Melton, that
the bond has become lrksome to your
cousin2"
"Not exactly that; but with yourself
she considered ii a childish attachment,
which is better broken. You know in
reality so little of each other, that your
acquaintance, she says, must begin upon
a new basis.''
There vas a ring at the door at this
instant. Two lady callers were admitted,
and at once began their chatter.
Oh, Gertie how is your cousin Annie2
When does she go home? Do you know
we could scarcely tell you apart last
night?" and dozen more such questions,
which effectually let the cat out of the
bag, while Denton sat stupidity eudeavor
ing to entertain one of the coquettes, who
had instantly fastened upon him.
But the moment they had departed,
Gertie stepped towards him, and said,
shyly, bur With winning smlle
at is useless to attempt to carry the
deception any further. OF course. you
have learned from those chatterers that
Annie personated me last pight 1t was
d suddenly conceived freak of mine, a. l
was too much Of coward tn endure your
criticisms as your affiancea wife. Be
sides, / wished to know your real mind.
l feared high sense It honor would
induce you to wear the bond, however
CALLING, and knew that i you could love
Annie, you could not GrTtie.
She had said all this ~ uemGrely,
and, with downcast eyes; bu' as soon as
she had finished, he caught her hands
with look of transport, and answered :
How could / be so stupid, when my
heart turned to you at once, as all had
ever hoped or dreamed you would be2
But" and he glanced at the ring, you
have given this back to me, and, of
course, our engagement is broken"
II have scarcely had time to consult
my own feelings in the matter. simply
took my cue from you-from what you
said last night about its being childish
engagement, and all that sort of thing"
"You must have known that was al
luding to your cousin, Gertie. Your de-
ception caused me to feel disappoint-
ment which would express itself. You
must have seen my preference for your
self. You had me at your feet all the
evening. as you may through life"
'.You are crushing my hands, Charlie,
dear. Give me back my ring, and for
give my little deception. 1t would have
broken my heart, had our bonds been
severed in earnest"
Tears came into her blue eyes, only to
be kissed away with more than one en-
dearing word. A plain gold ring guards
the iamond now, and the bond which
Gertie wears is for life. She is lovely,
sparkling wife, and very proud is her
husband of her. Annie, too, wears her
diamond-the plain hoop of gold is to
come-when she changes her maiden