River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-05-13
DOLLY AND |.

stationer.
1t was not very remUnerative situa.
too, but old Mr. Brusle was kind old
man, Mrs. Brusle nice, talkatiye old
lady, and Dolly Brusle often came into
the shop and stood behind the counter
beside me.
Dear little Dolly; she had brown eyes.
and dimple on her chin, and she
sang like prima donna.
Old Mr.. Bfusle and my father had
been friends, and | was not Servant
only, but a privileged friend as well, and
all the excuse needed for staying every
night was given in the words:
81 want to hear the singing"
Well, anyone might have wanted TO
hear 1t, for that matter-nCt merely q
boy who was in love.
Things went On this way for three
years, when one afternoon, old Mr.
Brusle, shutting the draw OF his desk
with bang, said:
cts no use, Tom, may as we'll give
III Pm not making a penny, and
hall break up the business. The old
woman and can manage on what we
have, with only one child, and | can
rest and stop fidgeting. suppose Dol
ly can teach little too, and she can
have some finery in that way. But the
old shop is a mockery, and I've known
it good while"
So that was the end Of that Arcadian
time.
The stock and fixtures were sold out,
and the shop was altered into parlor
and l wrote to my uncle in London.
hid g,I tol int ~
business if | wished it, and he tele-
graphed:
Come next week"
And then, one day, asked Dolly to
walk down into the meadows, and see
if the blackberries were ripe.
We took two little baskets, and the
berries were hanging plump and large
and purple-black; but before we picked
one, drew her to quiet place under
a great chestnut and put my arm about
ner waist, and said:
dolly, you know just now I feel to,
ward you, don't you? You know l icve
you"
She nestled up to nue. little closer,
and | took both her tiny hands in mine.
"Will you wait for me while, DJlly?'
| said. evil you think that l am do
ing my best all the time to bring the
day nearer when l can ask your father
to give you to me?'
Yes, Tom, I'll wait"
And then We picked the blaCkberriee,
and went home through the meadows.
"We'll not speak of it yet, Tom," said
Dolly. "At home. l mean; they think
me such child vet. | don't want to
break the cnarm. In time they'll guess
that I'm woman: and they like you,
Tom"
The evening passed swiftly. l arose
to go.
| pressed my lips to Dolly's fore
head.
In that moment of parting the old
folks thought it only natural.
And then | was gone.
Ny trunk had been at the station for
hours.
Iheard the whistle Of the train; saw
the red glare of the monsters eye; ]
heard the snort and the tramp.
He was ready for me, and the city
and its whirl awaited me.
For while 1 was bewildered in the
city, then very busy, then flushed with
the prospect OF being rapidly advanced,
and being able TO ask Dolly to be my
wife sooner than | expected.
wrote her joyous letters.
She wrote pleasant ones back to me.
We did Lot make them open love let.
tiers, but both understood the love al
the bottom Of them.
And 50 tn, months glided by.
For the first half year | had no hOii.
day.
Then a grudgingly given week was
given me, and visited my friends and
had glorious time.
Dolly was lovelier than ever.
She walked over to the station with
me when l left, leaning on my arm.
The train had not come in yet-tht
one for London, but the other had SCI
down the passengers from the city.
One, a stout gentleman of thirty-fivt
dressed in fine style. having given hi
portmanteau to porter, advanced tC
Dolly.
Chow do you do, Miss Brusl'?" sale
he.
She held out her hand shyly.
How do you do, Mr.. Holly? Tom
this is Mr.. Holly. Mr.. Holly, Mr.
Hearn"
He bowed: so did 1. But the fellow
had such SIN air about him that hateC
him.
How did She know him?
J had never seen him before.
"Wh0 is ht?' asked /, in whisper, al
tie porter called MIR. Holly back TO
directions.
He has something to do with tht
opera, think" said Dolly.
Then came the shrek of the whistle
at the station.
On Numbered the tain.
IAN in for London?' yelled voice
Good. bye, Tom" said Dolly
Goodbye said !, but l stared a
Mr. Holly.
'-You will be left, Tom," said Dolly
l hurried away.
l found q seat.
dol thrust my head out OF the car win
W
Dolly was walking away on Mr.. Hol
Iy's arm, and his head was very close t
hers-yery.
made fool of myself next day.
l wrote Dolly an indignant letter.
SIZE wrote me spirited answer.
| demanded an explanation rs to nov
she came 10 know Holly in the next
and before any answer came TO this, oil
Mrs. Brusle walked into our place will
her shopping bag in her hand one morn
ing.
II want you to take me to some mic
shop. Tom" she said, 'if you can spar
an hour or so. I'm going to buy
black silk for Dolly, and she told me t
tell you all about 1t as you seemed I
be upset"
l asked the permission necessar,
and called cab.
Once within it the old lady began.
"You see Dolly will need to be dress
ed handsomely. She starts next month
Its all settled, you know, between he
and Mr.. Holly"
"Settleo?' cried /.
Eyes" said the old lady. IL kne'
you'd be pleased with the good new;
She was singing in the choir. and b
happened to go there to church, and b
asked an introduction and got 1t, an
called next day. It's very sudden, very
but she wouldn't engage herself to bin
without our consent; and it's such a fin
thing that We can't refuse. 50 we'v
consented. She'll feel homesick, n
doubt, away from las; but We musn
think of that. try not to-" and the