River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-08-05

''He replied, 4 do not feel that it was
wrong, Myra. did not know how
much it was possible to love woman
until you came.
Il had been seated upon the sofa,
overcome with grief and humiliation
now arose and said, If you are en-
gagged To Milly, of course it is impossible
to do otherwise than to marry her i
will not make it difficult for you to do
your duty Henceforth you and | will
remain apart | will go home day after
tomorrow This love-making, which
is but the mockery of love on your part,
must 60 no further Keep in mind that
you are pledged to another woman;
and, if you wish to retain even my re-
spect, leave me to myself
HE protested.
"You are cruel, Myra. As God is
my witness, | did not mean to wrong
Milly, but was powerless in your pres
ence. Say that you do not despise me,
and | will do whatever you command.
mo, do not despise you, Kenneth;
am sorry for you; am sorry for my
self; but still there is something higher
than happiness. You must marry Mil
ly. | command it; deeire it, Icould
never found my happiness on another
woman's misery. And, whether you
marry her or not, shall never marry
you. No more need be said. Good-by,
Kenneth We will not meet again if
can prevent it.
Il had been strong, cruel, If You will;
but Just ut the last my voice quivered.
1t was very hard to be stern then; very
hard to see him standing there in his
splendid, manly beauty, yearning to
take me to his heart and hold me against
the world and then TO turn away TO
take up my old desolate life. Some
Power, higher than myself gave me
courage and strength in that hour.
One moment my hand was pressed in
his and the next he held the door open
as | passed out. | have confused
vision of sad, stern face that bent to-
ward me as if struggling to speak, and
then stood proudly erect as if he ac-
cepted the worst that fate might inhict.
II loved Kenneth more than knew
until the inseparable barrier arose be-
tween us. His word was pledged and
should not be violated for me; that |
resolved, and yet | cannot picture one
tenth of the agony that resolve cost me,
not only on my own account, but ON
his.
eve met the next day at breakfast,
dinner and tea, bu twere not alone to-
gether for an instant. | would always
manage to have Milly with us. When
| announced my intention ofleaving the
following day she frightened percepti-
bly,. Kenneth was civil to us both,
nothing more.
There was no congeniality between
Milly and myself, and therefore no CON
fidences. The last evening of my stay,
however | said to her: II wish you
happiness, Milly. Kenneth has told me
of your engagement. She smiled and
answered; Dear Kenneth. lam sure
shall be happy with him.
ooh, how hated her at that mo-
mcntl | soon made pretext to leave
her room. Kenneth was haunting the
hall awaiting my appearance. He de-
tanned me by gentle force, and said,
Come into the library, Myra
Il quoted my uneasy conscience by
saying to myself, Surely, | may see
him this once; tomorrow | go |
took my old place by the window, but
the air was cold and the room strangely
cherries Kenneth lowered the win
dow and leaned against it, | sat with
downcast eyes. | felt that he was look
ing at me, and | toyed nervously with
the fringe of my shawl. The silence
was becoming painful. ] lifted my
eyes.
'"'You had something you wished to
say to me-
"tYcs, Myral have become in some
degree reconciled to your decision. |
can see it is best With your encour-
agement and example it will be possible
for me to keep my honor safe from
further doubt. And vet | believe Il
strong and pure friendship is still pos
sible between us-a friendship that will
wrong no one
81 believe so, too; and. yet it must
be so strong that ii will need no reas-
surances. We must indulge no hope of
meeting
"'Still cruel, but right. understand
the purity of your motive, and but love
YOU the more | have little token of
remembrance for you, Myra,' he said
drawing a small velvet case from his
pocket. Wear it, dear friend, as a
souvenir of our eternal fidelity and the
purity of our resolves"
He took my hand and placed this
cameo ON my finger and it has never
been removed. | gave him slender
gold ring of mine in exchange. Our
love is unchanged and interchangeable.
In three months he and Milly were
,,,J I ho,,o hoo vi that l,n Sc N
kind husband"
Her voice sunk almost to a whisper.
| pressed my face against hers, trying
to express my sympathy. We sat thus
few minutes; then she lifted her head,
saving, at was wrong III me to trouble
you with my private griefs."
'No, it was not wrong | shall re-
spect YOU all my life for knowing of
your temptation and your triumph. A
weaker woman would have yielded;
you were firm, and honor you, Cousin
Mirabcl"
"A sense of having done right has q
wonderful power to sustain one" she
answered, "and | am not unhappy, ex-
cept at long intervals, when | am
overwhelmed by the memory Of what
might have been Generally after
such a day Two years ago to-day |
wandered up and down the beach,
thinking of him, and that very night
heard that his wife was dead and that
he had sailed for Europe
And have you heard nothing from
him since q | asked in surprise.
Not word but know h. has not
ceased to love me, and he has some
good reason for not writing" Her alb
solute belief in his devotion was some
thing wonderful to behold. The clock
struck Il, and we arose and babe each
other goodnight; the fire had long been
out, and dismal rain was falling.
The next morning was bright and
beautiful; all the clouds had cleared
away, and Cousin MirabeI was posi-
lively radiant. II had the sweetest
dream" she said, in answer to my
compliment ON her looks. While we
were enjoying coy and delicious
breakfast there came a rap at the dool.
A messenger from the village hotel had
brought note for my cousin She did
not recognize the writing, but tearing
it open hastily she saw ut the bottom
of the page the name of Kenneth
Deering" She ran her eyes over the
note; / saw good news in her eyes
over the note; and was not unprepared
for her joyful exclamation: 20, Clara!
Kenneth is at the village, and will be
hare to-day y She cauoht mn the note