River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-22

turned OH L oIsN llit. w ISL hHtW Niitfe
he was is 1t did look suspicious,
though" trying to case his conscience,
thai told him ne had been rash.
Veronica Morton made a lovely picture
as she sat under the subdued gaslight i'll
in her warm, bright sitting room, idly
! dreaming over volume in crimson and
gold that contrasted with the lily white
ness Of her dimpled hand. 4 rarely beau
tiftl girl Of eighteen, with eyes contain
ing unfathomable depths OF womanly
| tenderness and ruth, rich, cream tinted
complexion, that decpened gradually into
vivid color on her check; mouth sweet,
| lovablc and finn. and a form OF exquisite
/ nrt.uortions. attired in closely fitting
dress of maroon silk.
Footsteps in the hall and, 80, papa,
you've come; you're later than usual,
was the greeting that Mr. Morton received
, as bc entered His careworn face relaxed
! from its drawn lines as the girl put her
arms around his neck and kissed him.
They passed into the supper-room, with
| its bright silver and dainty china.
What is the mattea, papal" asked his
daughter, nothing that he looked unusu-
ally thoughtful.
lie hesitated moment, then told her
of bis Dismissal of Byron Forsythe and
the finale. \ look of intense sympathy
oyrtspread her face.
~, papa, how drcadfully he must have
felt to be So unjustly suspected. | saw
hini a few times He looked too good
ami noble to do anything mean. Don't
you think you can find him."
4 am afraid not, dear; but am going
to so what can.
Aud when Veronica laid her head on
pillow that night the face of the tall,
handsome youth, with fearless blue eyes
and fair, broad brow, who was under the
shadow Of a dark suspicion, haunted her
dream.
Size had never guessed that the vision
of radiant loyilincss that had appeared
once or twice in her fathers dusky office,
in launty hat and velvet, was mdelibly
cngrayen on the memory Of Byron For
sythc, high-spirited, well-born as she, and
that he cursed the poverty that forbade
him 10 try To win the prize he coveted
Mr.. Mortons inquiries for him proved
frutlcss, and the world wagged on.
The crowds ON the thronged sidewalks
stopped and held their breath; teams and
tournouts tried to clear the way as run
away horse came galloping down IRE
mont street, champing his bits and foam
ing. The driver, who was slightly int0xi-
Gated had completely lost control of him.
There was no one brave enough to attempt
the rescue, and the carriage was in mo
mcntarv danger of being overturned.
when some one lcaped from the crowd
caught at the bride Of the excited animal,
and chung to him with desperate grip.
lie was dragged along a short distance,
getting terribly bruised. and then others
came to the rescue, and he wac taken up
insonsible from the feet of the horse that
stood painting and stCaming, but con-
qucrcd. The occupants of the carriage
wcfc a lady and a gentleman, whose white
faces showed the terrible fright they had
experienced.
Bring him here, said the lady S sweet
and silvcry voice, as they hesItatcd what
ID do with the man, I'VE are almost
home"
NY Cod" exclaimed Mr. Morton
for ii was he aud Veronica AS they placed
him on the soft cushions. 1T is Byron
For>vthc"
For the terrified lovely face Of Veronica
Norton beside her father in the open car
ri9ge, had caught the eye of Byron For
syDhr, and in an instant he had flung him
self between her anG a terrible danger.
O, said Veronica, with little cry Of
terror a. she recognized the face. Have
W. killed him!'
Byron Forsythe was unconscious that
the little @Ioved hand, which he would
have counted happiness to touch, was
resting gently upon the rich masses OF
brown hair that clustered above his fair,
open brow.
The best medical aid was summoned,
ana he was soon restored 10 consciousness.
No prince could have been tended more
carefully than he, lying in a darkencd
chamber, whose rich, soft carpet mutlled
every sound He had skilled nurse, but
Veronica herself often soothed his restless
ness In spite of careful nursing, brain
fever cnsUcd. His wild rawlings OF unjust
suspicion and hopeless love, chillep the
hearts Of his listeners. Veronica prayed
tlat he might live 10 know his innocence
had been proved, and her father who had
i,st come from the borders Of death,
uugrd for reason to return that he might
atone To the sensitive soul for the injustice.
The boon was granted. One afternoon he
opened his ewes to see Ncronica's lovely
face bending over him, not radiant and
animated as hc had seen it, but Suffused
with tender sympathy.
You here Where am ]! 1t was
yoju father who suspected me Of, he
SAIL weakly.