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

I'VE had very social time over our
tea Our acquaintance progressed rap
idly We made so many discoveries
Of mutual likes and dislikes. We found
that we had 50 many tastes that were
congeniel; we told each other so many
little incidents that were purely per-
sonal, and the other listened with such
interest that when we arose from the
table we seemed to have known each
other for long time, if indeed, we had
ever been strangers. At the parlor
door he took my hand. i must say
goodnight, now, Miss Madison. |
rarely spend my evenings III there.
From that instant we were friends, for
eyermore. He assembled the stair, |
stood i'm a delicious dream. | was
scarcely conscious of my surroundings.
/ ONLY felt sure that | did not wish to
meet any one just then. | moved
down the hall to what | supposed my
own room and opened the door. Milly
Beatty started from her easy chair
lat ching. Come III, come in, she
said, and tell me where you have been.
Your unceremoniOus way of entering
rooms shows me YOU have not left off
your habit of haunting houses.
Our worthy hostess was afraid you had
conmitted suicide as you did not an
swcr the rap at your door. | Gained
her fears by saving YOU would be best
pleased by being left alone, that you
wee tired and had probably fallen
asleep Was right or have you been
exploring the premises 2 narrated
my visit 10 the library and my meeting
with Mr.. Deering. She seemed little
annoyed, | thought, and soon with
drew.
You know that | am generally con
sidered cold, practical and impassive.
| am, but had met, for the first time
in nay life, a man who had power to hold
my thoughts when he was out of sight.
A strange, sweet sense ofbeing no long
er desolate possessed my whole being.
| opened the window and looked out;
the stars were shining TRANQUILITY in the
blue heavens. was happy the night
was beautiful, and God was good to me.
| could not pray; my heart could findno
words in to express its gratitude and
content Ny sleep was filled with
dreams half pleasant, half painful,
dreams of travelling in foreign countries,
and dreams of Milly and mynew friend.
| had scarcely come back 20 reality by
morning, / think, for | was n long time
about dressing. | wore a white muslin
wrapper with flowers in my hair and at
my throat.
1.-The whole family was assembled. |
was presented to those whom | had not
met the evening before. After break
fast those who had work to do went
about it, while we who consulted our
own inclination fingered in the wide,
cool breakfast room. | took position
ON window seat, overlooking the lawn.
| had been there but moment when
Kenneth came up. If you cannot
help me about the mineral, perhaps
YOU can about the flowers, he said,
smiling, and indicating by slight
motion of the hand that the flowers |
wore called forth the remark.
- No. | fear not | replied. Il do not
take kindly to technicalities. | only
understand their beauty, which, is per
haps. more than most botanists do"
IL was seated, he standing; he bent
toward nee as he said. Perhaps, and
yet, hotanist though | am, there is one
kind of beauty, do not fail to adj
mirc"
Il could not misunderstood the i'm
piled compliment, and blushed little
under his steady gaze.
"Milly came up the next instant, and
tie conversation drifted away to indif-
fereut topics. | could see that Ken
neths attentions to me were source of
displeasure to NIilly. | had sort of
pleasure in seeming to be unaware of
her annoyance.
Glow uninterruptedly events Will go
on. as if change would never come;
then all ut once, one scarcely knows
how, everything is change, and is never
quite the same again.
Il had been five months Mt Deering' S
place. and Kenneth was ut my side as
often rs he could be without attracting
attention or comment. spent much
of my time i'll the library. Mrs. Deer
ing was always busy about her work Ill
the kitchen. Milly spent her forenoons
in the parlor, and in the afternoon she
usually slept an hour or so, then drove
out to make calls and talk over the fash
ions with the aristoCratic young ladies
Of the neighborhoOd. On these occa-
sion, Kenneth would be sure to find
some excuse for coming in from the
field before evening. His manner had
long been that of a lover
''One day, as | was seated at a desk
III the library writing, he came IN quiet
", but, seeing | was busy, hepretended
to have some GRAND in the room. He
soon came to my side, however, and
put hi- cool, tender palm against my
check. Some slight, caressing move
ment ON my pdrt-perhaps a pressing
of my cheek against his hand-caused
him to bend down and say, with deep
earnestness:
You do love me-
| flashed a smile up into his face and
asked
"'Why?'
'sBecause love you, he answered.
80 his protestltions Of love | had
always returned an Indifferent reply,
but that day spirit of coquetry pos
sesscd me My blushing inquiry had
seemed like confession, and Kenneth
was radiant. | would not seem to
share his mood, neither did have the
heart to check his Joy. | kept on with
my writing, but | had no thought ex-
cept Of this man, who was all tho world
to mo. He sat by my side and held
my hand | could not deny him
nor myself that pleasure | wrote
steadily, with dOwncast eyes. | was
in a delicious, dreamy trance. My
interest in my writing was gone. |
laid aside my pen, and, passing my
hand slightly over his thick masses OF
hair said;
You should be ut work, Kenneth,
instead of hindering me"
lie caught my hand drawing me to-
ward him, said:
Kiss me, Mirabel; just once, dear;
you never have.
II shook my head. He arose, bring
ing me to my teet ut the same time; his
strong arms were about me, his pas
sionate kisses on my lips. | had no
further control of myself, Kiss me,
darling. lust once, my arm crept half
way around his neck and my lips met
his. No use denying my love for him
after that. For one hour complete I'M
thinking happiness was ours. We did
not trouble ourselves by thoughts OF
the future. We had the present and
each other We did not talk much.
With provoking pretense of industry
| said, Let me go on with my writ
ing
Gle put his arm about me and held
mo i can't snare Won he said 'YOu