River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-05-20

had ceased to trouble me, but the reali.
ty OF things did not cease. There was
Nellie before me in all her beauty, all
her sweetness to tempt me Oh to love
her. There was Joe, with all his ex.
uberance ofspirit, and as unsuspicieus
as a child. He seemed to do all in his
power to bring us together. He often
lured us into interesting conversation
or managed to get us engaged in sing
ing and playing, and leave US alone foI
hours. Days passed away apd elapsed
into weeks; in these weeks / was almost
the constant companion of Nellie Hall
We were riding, boating, and to In
Vulnerable concerts and entertainments
all through the suggestion and planning
OF Joe. | felt and knew well the danger
| was fascinated at first-and now L was
irretrieyably in love.
The thought of breaking away from
this charming creature caused me pain
like unto death. | resolved to leave
No matter what it cost me, the only
honorable course for me to pursue was
to return to the city and forget-no, not
forget, for never could / forget the only
woman ever loved or could love.
Joe was absent on the day arrived
at this determination. All the better
thought it; it would be easier to gel
away. proceeded to pack up and gel
ready to go on the evening train.
noticed during the progress of packing
that the long body OF Long was over.
Swallowing me. He seemed determ.
med nos to let anything escape his OBJ
servation.
At length, when had finished my
work, he approached me. His long
arm Was raised to his breast pocket
and from thence he extracted letter
which he handed me. / tore it open; il
was from Joe and read thus:
Thomas Thurston, you are a traitor
i no longer doubt your perfdy. Long
has watched you and Nellie closely. Il
is useless to deny your intention of elop'
ing with her. | demand satisfaction and
ii can only be had from your hearts
blood. Meet me on the river bank,
and by the light Ct the moon and il
the presence OF Long we will settle our
differences
looked up. Long hal disappeared
and in his place stood Nellie.
"Why Tom, you're not going to leave
us, are your" she asked.
thought she addressed me in tone
of regret. / looked into Der bright
eyes-such beautiful loving eyesl How
could / pain her? How could I drive
the blood from her cheeks and the
light from her eyes by showing her
Joe's letter and telling her all? She
came very nea: me and said coaxlngly
Don't so Tom; L will be so lonely
here now"
81 cannot stav, Nellie. 1 regret hav-
ing to leave YOU" My words came
fast and almost inarticulate. 81 thought
to be on my way now and can only stay
long enough tc bid you adieu.'
"But Tom, what will Joe say? Sure
" you Will stay till he comesl"
NO, no. cannot Nellie; indeed
cannot. | can never forget the happi-
ness l have had here this summer; but
| must leave you now, and fear-it is
foreverr'
Ny voice was unsteady, and | clasp
ed both her hands very tightly in mine.
Forever" she repeated. 80, Tom,
forever!"
What world of tenderness, of regret,
in her iDbonations. 1t died away like a
wall of woe.
mo Nellie; never shall l sec you
again-naverW
Never" the moan died away and
the beautiful eyes were raised to mine
in speeches. agony, that wrung my
heart with pain.
'Oh Nellie, do not break my heart !!
My grief, my Indebtedness is beyond
bearing n0w. Your beloved eyes look
ing into mine will haunt me in coming
years.--You know my secret; recrim-
mate if you will, Nellie, my darling"
a light sprung into her eyes; strange,
dazzling light that spread ever her beau
tiful face, the light of measureless love,
of transport of joy.
FAREWELL" l cried in husky voice,
not daring to stay longer; FAREWELL"
and turned to 60, when her fingers
closed oyer mine. | turned to her
again and she threw her arms about my
neck.
''You must not go! You shall not go!
for love you" and the beaming face
was hidden on my breast.
A chuc&ling noise from behind start
led US; it broke into laugh, then into
loud shouts and frightful roars, inter
mingled with hideous outlaws and a
woman's musical laugh, till the hills
echoed and re-echoed the sound.
Nellie's face was sutfused with bushes
and she drew away from me; but
clasped her more closely; light break
ing in on my bewildered brain.
cha! ha! hal" roared Joe, while
Long emitted series of strange sounds
very like laugh. "Ho! no! hol Long
-ha! ha! ha! wife-Tom thought sister
Nell was ha! hal ha!-was my wife"