River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-02

Its time I claim the trophy. You
have scored one defeat amid your vic
tories"
Dare any slave speak thus in the
presence of his cOnqueror?
He stooped-lower and still lower he
bent his head, until his moustache
brushed the young, sweet lips in their
richest crimson.
The girl shivered and was still
Il may come this evening, SWEET
he whispered. "You will be better able
to see me then"
She bowed her head.
As silently as he came, he left to her
glory and her shame.
Poor jack loyal Jack, This was his
return And she had thought she
loved him. Alb, better spare her pity
fOl herself-her weak, frail, pitiable
self, How she writhed in her own
Scorn, and yet she had meant no
wrong.
But the day was wearing on.
In the evening Jack, too, was to come,
and the two men must not meet She
could never look into Jacks honest
eyes again. Their hurt, grieyed look of
awful surprise would kill her.
Without time for thought, she
sclawled off the lines that were to tell
him all. She ended:
Don't blame me too harshly, Jack.
1t was better, dear, that | found out
my heart before It was too late"
THIS note dispatched, half her bur-
der seemed lifted She sat down then
to watch and wait.
The afternoon heightened; the even
ing crept in upon its heels; the shadows
darkened until dissipated by the arti-
fetal light
Through the empty rooms Kate walk
ed, a restless spirit. The clock struc k
eight, another half hour and he must
be here? What would he say? how
greet her?
The halfhour waned, and still she is
alone. What does it mean? What
could have detained him?
Or the stroke of nine the front bell
peals. She can scarcely be patient un-
til the door is opened, but a new dis
appointment awaits her as a servant
enters with a note.
She takes it from his hand and tears
it open, under the full blaze of light.
He has been detained. 1t is an ex-
cuse; but this is what she reads:
"0t course, you did not expect me- | did not
care - hear from lips whose sweetness | have
tasted any bitter truths. My trophy though
not hang up to the vulgar gaze is none the less
treasured and esteemed believe me. You
not blame me that played the part you cast for
me. | have enjoyed the little drama; 80 doubtless
have you, with the other arch-consplrators of the
plot. F9rewarned is fOrcarmed. In this case |
assure you. | had need to remember and TO heed
the old adage. You were merciless. She who
turned traitor to YOU, vet owe heavy debt of
gratitude since she has saved me from an ignO-
minou1 Waterloo. | have my silent trophy. You,
in this written acknowledgment, have your avow
ri one. We are, then quits. Goodbye | sail to-
morrow for Europe. Bid me bon royage, even as
did it to you, the longer voyage you 50
soon propose taking in the seas Of matrm0ny.
For the many delightful hours you afforded be
leye me gratefully yours.
GERALD KEExE"
Is she going mad Has she turned
to stone? 1t is well something happens
to rouse her from herself, as Jack
enters, pale and excited, bearing her
letter In his hand.
II have just read this" he says, in
hoarso tones, so changed that She can
not recognize them. "What does it
mean Tell me quickly! 1t is part of
the miserable game? Oh, is it's it ?"
He stops-his voice is choked He
cannot say the truth.
YES. it is all the worst you thiuk of
It and 0te?" she answers, defiantly; but
you needn't care | have had my hui
initiation and my punishment. See
make it complete! Read this" hold
ing out to him the letter she still
grasps Then leave me to my oarn
contempt yours, and the 'corlds.
lIy contempt" he repeats, very slow
". You say there is aught in this let
ter could breed that for you? Then
do / receive it thus" and he tore the
sheet into shreds without one glance at
the written words.
She shiyeled at the sound.
Kate" he went on, II don't know
what has happened-I don't want to
know-only my arms are still open TO
you. viii You Gomez
"Oh, how grand, and true and noble
he was! And how cruelty she had
wrongcd himi
Jack, l must tell you one thing"
She whispered. He kissed me once |
| think ] must have been mad"
The mans cheek paled to ashen, but
the look Of love in his eyes never
changed
"Will you come, Kate?' he simply |
said.
You will take me, you will trust me,
ever again."
Il have never ceased to trust you'll
Gomez
And, for the first time in her willful, |
she found obedience sweet.
Years have passed since then, and |
not for one moment has Kate wavered |
in her wifely love and devotion to her
husband
OF the rock on which she so nearly |
stranded her frail barque, neither ever
speak; but neither the world nor Ger
aid Keenc himself will ever know how
truly it had proven "A Dangerous Ex-
pertinent
. .