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

observed she would instantly desist and
cover the jewel with her right hand.
After ten months teaching it was
like paradise to get down TO Stone Cot
tage, on the shore of Lake Michigan,
where my maiden cousin resided. She
lived alone with the exception of a sin
gle servant Her father had left her
sufficient money to place her above the
reach of want. that IS above the want
that purSues the poor, but not beyond
the dire want, the terrible heart hunger
that takes possession of the lonely
Although Mirabel was II first cousin
had not heard from her for years until
her letter came to me at the seminary,
where | was teaching, inviting me to
spend the coming vacation at Stone
Cottage. had been four days at the
cottage, and felt quite settled and at
home Mirabel had the rare and eX
cellent trait of letting her guests enjoy
themselves as they chose. She did not
deem ii necessary to he always ut their
side trying to entertain them, and fine
woman though she was, 1t would not
have been always desirable Yes, |
say to myself with emphasis, Cousin
AIirabel is fine woman, despite her
30 years. As | spoke | saw in imagi-
nation the tall, elegant figure the white
brow and dark, heavy hair, but, most
of all, the reserved and penSiye air that
characterized this woman.
Ever since our dinner at o'clock
had been sitting out on the piazza
muffled up in Il cloak, for the lake
breeze was damp and cold. | believe
Mirabel could live nowhere else than on
the shore ola stormy lake. At 3 o'clock
| saw her leave the house by Il side door
She was wrapped in her storm cloak
and had her hood drawn over her head
AT dusk she had not returned. / enter
ed the house and before striking light
| looked from the window and saw her
coming through the gloom. | started
the fire ard lighted the lamp, striving
To make the room comfortable for the
home coming. | heard the outer door
open and shut, heard her pause in the
hall to hang up her cloak and then her
feet coming YEARLY up stairs. Very
YEARLY it seemed to me. She tapped on
the sitting-room door then pushed it
open. | started up, her hair was damp,
her face pale and her eyes unusually
large and brilliant
drew her into the room, saying:
take this easy chair here by the fire"
NO, il is not the walk, she answered,
smiling a little atmy anxiety. at is not
tie walk; it is excitement. Judge Park
hurst has been asking me too marry
him-the gentleman you saw here on
the first day of your arrival.
oh" | said with long-drawn
breath of real pleasure, thinking some
happiness was too be granted Mirabel
mt last. Il hope yon accepted him.
NO. not exactly; he is to come for an
answer tomorrow
The tea had been brought in and
cleared away and still | was talking
about the Judge. | concluded by say
ing: "He Is strong, true-hcarted,
honorable man. and YOU will say yes,
won't you, Mirahel?"
Il don't know, dear" She answered,
steadily; but, bending down to kiss her,
| saw that the dark eyes were full of
tears. My proud, impassive cousin
weeping That was almost beyond be-
lief She recovered herselfwithOut any
violent exhibition of emotion. The
flame shone on the gold setting Of her
ring, and she began turning it with a
caTessing movement.
| drew an ottomcn close to her feet,
and, laying my head i'll her lap. ! said:
Dear Cousin Mirabel, please tell me
about your ring Pm sure it has his
tory"
She put her hand upon my head. 1T
has. indeed. a history, and | will tell 1t
to YOU have been thinking all day of
Kenneth Deering, the man who gave
me this ring, and it will be relief to
talk of him tonight. 1t may be wrong,
but | cannot help it; indeed | cannot.
There was short silence, as if She
were striving to overcome some bitter
or painful emotion. She began her
story in low voice and did not look
into her face.
Five years ago tonight | met Ken
net Deering for the first time. | de-
sired Il summer boarding place, and
Millv Bently wrote me: We are bTck
again where we spent last summer. |
can recommend the place. Nice fam
lily. splendid library, and pleasant sur
romdings am sure you would be
suited if vou were to come.
II was alone in the world; one place
was n. good as another to me. for | Was
indifferent To- all / think it was the
mention of the library that decided me.
Millv was Of the dark slender, piquant
stvlc of beauty full of fire and vivacity.
We We're too unlike to be perfectly con
genial, vet We were friendly enough as
the world goes | remember the first
afternoon of my arrival. Milly met
me in the hall and introduced me to the
ladies of the household The weather
was warm. and | desired To he shown
to nv room to battle my hands and
change my travelling dress. That done,
| determined tu see the library before |
should ht summoned to tea. | had
seen the book shelves on my way to my
own department. | was surprised at
the number Of books and the fine taste
DISPLAYED in the collection. Surely
some one here must have most scholar
IL tastes | thought Ii did not seem to
me it could be the bustling housewife
10 whom | had been introduced, nor
did believe it TO be the master OF the
house. a deerepit old man who Shutiied
past me in the hall. Having run my
eve over the various titles | selected
volume Of poems, and seated myself ut
an open window. but soon forgot my
book in the beauty of the landscape.
The soft summer twilight was gradually
pDNeltllllG an tftItiNtS- " me SDSOIbti
in a revere the library door opened. a
gentleman advanced few steps into
the room, but on perceiving me would
have withdrawn. He bowed, saying,
i beg your pardon, intrude.'
No I exclaimed, 1t Is | who am
the intruder; pray remain; do not per
NIT my presence to drive YOU away.
orI shalt not forgive myself for COM
ing.
SHe thanked me, and going to a cab
met ofminerals. began comparing them
with the one he held in his hand. The
room was already dusk, so he lighted Il
lamp. He invited me to look at the
minerals. which did with interest, for
the collection was large and rare. Per
haps you can help me classify this odd
bit Of rock, he said. suddenly. | shook
my head Il am very poor geologist,
indeed, | said His face clouded
little as he remarked, Il will have to
see more about il tomorrow must
have my supper now. | suppose you
have had tes some hours age.
NO: | had not been to tea.
A servant, seeing light in the
library entered. Supper had long been