River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-11-25

Gertrude's eyes tlashed-they had
been already to flash since the hair
dresser finished his work and replied
considerably above a whisper:
"You are all that is desirable, Mr..
Bently-at least suppose so-though
| have not had enough attention from
gentlemen to really be able to tell And
as for Carrie Shelville, who is going to
marry man ever so much older than
she is just for money, | don't think |
feel anything just now but contempt
for her"
"She may love him, Miss Gertrude,
Notwithstanding the damaging fact that
he has money" Mr.. Bentley ventured
to respond satirically.
FUDGE said Gertrude, with Il curl
of her lip.
"Since you are satisfied with me and
not jealous of the bride, Miss Gertrude,
may | inquire why u appear So"
"Crossp' his CO. hon interrupted.
"You had bette SIX why I came to
this wedding, J BENTLEY
well, why p
'To show off ew dress and the
arrangement top-knOt, sir, and
for no otherre in the world, unless
indeed it might be that | was expected
to come"
"Ohl" said the gentleman, with a
peculiar mystification of countenance
and tone, which for the moment seem
ed to quite restore the young ladies
good. spirits.
An hour later, at the the reception,
Gertrude, Who was slipping Il cup of
coffee and chatting gayly with her new
friend, heard her father, who, with her
grandmother had seats directly be-
hind her remark cautiously-indeed,
the ears they were intended for scarce
ly caught the low tones:
"He says there isn't the slightest
truth in that report we heard. y
Mr.. Bently went to get an ice for
his companion, and on his return
Gertrude was nowhere to be seen.
"She had gone to have u chat with
the bride" Mr.. Gregory explained;
but the gentleman's manner of looking
about the room seemed to Mr.. Bently
to contradict the statement.
However there was nothing to do
but wait, and this Court Bently pro-
ceeded to do with excellent glace. He
talked European politics with an elder
" Englshman, and chatted with a
matronly French lady, introduced by
Mrs. Gregory, in the lady's own
language, much to her delight.
When it was time to go, Mrs. GREGG
ry went in search of the truant, and
Mr.. Bently did not see her again till he
offered her his arm to the carriage.
Grandmother had been lecturing. That
was plain, for Gertruda's cheeks were
painfully flushed, and her hand trem-
bled as it touched his arm.
Mr.. Bently wondered what it all
meant. as who would not? but he said
pleasantly, as he took his seat beside
her:
You saw the bride off, | suppose,
Miss Gertrude?"
mo, didn't" she answered, per
versely, and then, leaning forward to
address her father: Papa, do you
know that Carrie Shelville-Mrs.
Knight-lacKs month of being as old
as | amp"
"She looks quite mature" Mr. Greg
DRY re- d
''Anc suppose you think that is
enough Gertrude resumed in a higher
key. Mr.. Bently," she continued
what do you think of the way girls
are driven into unsuitable marriages in
these days ?"
II thought, Miss Gertrude, in these
days that young ladies did about as
they pleased, the gentleman answered.
II am not talking of young ladies, >"
was the petulent reply, "but the girls of
my age"
pardon me, Miss Gertrude, " said Mr..
Bently, "but | was not aware that girls
went into society in New York. "
This was a hard hit, but his compan-
ion was equal to the situation.
"Well, they do" she replied, if they
happen to talk and look mature, as
papa says. A girl might prefer to play
with her dolls to going into society; but
that wouldn't make any difference if
her folks had reasons of their own for
pushing her out, and she happened to
be tall enough to hitch a train to, and
unawkward enough not to break her
neck with it."
By this time Mr.. Bently was nearly
convulsed with laughter.
This girl-or whatever she was
pleased to call herself-was certainly
the most original and straightforward
specimen he had ever met He knew
that her father and grandmother We're
bursting with rage, and this only In
! creased his merriment.
II sometimes think Gertrude con
siders herself martyr" Mrs. Gregory
remarked, in her most Indifferent man
| ner.
By this time they had reached home,
and Gertrude's ooh. Grandma was
the beginning and end Of her indignant
reply.
She knew, and so did Court Bently,
that the old lady had planned this mo
ment for the delivery of a few words
which were intended to deceive him in
reference to her granddaughter opin-
| ion of her own grievances.
| The next morning Gertrude appear
| ed at the breakfast table in a light blue
/ cashmere trimmed girliShly with velvet,
/ and her magnificent brown hair hang
| log loose on her back. as she had
| threatened, only she had managed to
! fasten it on the neck, SO that its wand
erings were considerably circum
| scribed.
The effect was one and almost start
| ling. Court Bently was afraid he should
make himself obnoxious by his fire.
/ quent chances in her direction; but in
all his travels he had never seen a
prottier picture, and Court Bently was
very appreciative of the beautiful in
/ both nature and art.
Grandma Gregory did her best 70 be
social, but the figure opposite was evil
IDENTIFY too much even for her serenity,
and the old lady's breakfast was not a
| success.
evil YOU be very much yeXed if
pay you a compliment this morning
Miss Gertrude p Mr. Bently asked.
Mr.. Gregory and his mother had left
the dining-room, and he and Gertrude
were alone.
That's according" she replied,
| good-naturedly.
We'll, then, the gentleman re-
sumed, Il am quite in love with your
morning toilet; and if 1 were III your
place think / would wear blue dresses
and my hair down my back all the
| time"
! sDo Won ike this" Gertrude inquir-