River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-08-18
OLD PETERS STORY

NY bubltI > tlSillty tiiN iii CFAttGAlCC VI
which strove sedulously to conceal.
1t vas occasioned by nc less an event
than the return of The young lady D
the house-the only daughter and sole
heiress of all these broad acres-from
the finishing school in Paris, to make
her formal debut in society.
The suit of rooms assigned to hei
had been thoroughly renovated and re
furnished in a manner widely difieren
from the solid English comfort which
prevailed elsewhere throughout the
house; but to look through them was
like sudden glimpse into the nest oil
some humming-b which had i'm.
parted all its own brilliancy to its be,
longings.
Only few days before the expected
arrival came letter, begging permission
to bring with her her dearest friend
young lady whose father was an East
Indian officer, and whose return mad
been unexpectedly postponed a couple
of months.
OF course the petted daughters wish
was law; and though the fond father,
reading aloud the letter preferring this
request at the breakfaSt-table, ex-
changed glance of disappointment
with his wife that so soon the privacy
Of their little circle must be disturbed
q formal invitation to Miss Aline Re
we're to the Inequalities of Chambers
Hall was dispatched that very day.
| shall never forget the evening Of
Miss Chalmers return Her CHEEKY
How do you do, Peter?" thrilled my
old bones, us did the touch of the little
hand she kindly offered me, in memory
perhaps of my long service and the
many rides up and down the broad
halls she had had on my shoulder
screaming the while with glee.
She fitted about all the evening, like
bee, from flower to flower, and it was
as though burst of sudden sunshine
had illumined the old house. She was
q fair, sweet English girl; but, as al
were seated around the dinner table
/ could not but acknowledge the palm
Of beauty must be awarded to hel
friend. | had never seen q more ex.
qusite face. 1t fairly haunted me; il
held in it the fire of the tropics, the ice
of the Artic, the light of the heavens
the shadow of the hight-each expires
sion in contradiction of the other, eacl
tending to produce harmC Gus war
fare
did not think this all out myself
but some one, long after, in describing
Miss I..5ere's face. thus worded it, anC
| knt y then they had made clear the
enigma my old brain had so long tried
to solve. Iwould even then have beer
enyious, for Miss Chalmers sake, bu
that she seemed so fond, SO devoted Il
her friend, that her very gladness wa.
an unconscious rebuke to me.
1t was not long before the house va!
filled with guests-ladies and ladies
maids. gentlemen and their Wallets com
ing and going. filling the place with gai
ETY. and excitement. Then came the an
nOuncement of Il grand ball, with nvi
tations to all the county. Glad enough
| was when the evening it was to tax,
place actually arrived, and / could fee
that the hustle of anticipation was a
an end.
On her way down to the drawing
room, Miss Flo peeped IN to see tn
tabl :, and | thought for that once W
might compare her to Miss Aline. Sh
was dressed in white, her arms an,
neck bare, bt.. glittering with preciou
stones. Some of the family jewels he
father had reset, and presented t.
her that very morning at the breakfast
table. | was not likely to forget tn
circumstance for the old feeling of haI
dislike. with which had at first regard
ed Miss Aline, swept over me as | far
cied an envious glitter sparkled in tn
great black eyes, rs they rested on tn
white. differing gems.
'sWill | do, Peter" asked my youn
mistress, sweeping me mock cour
esv. as she had done when tiny cir
and | half believe instead of answerin
5 her | brushed away a tear.
The ball was grand success, an
the sun had risen ere the sound of To
wheels of the last carriage filled wit
departing guests had died away.
There had been many made welcom
that night. but none, ! well knew IT
ceived warmer one than young NJ
Earle, who had returned home from
years absence in foreign countries onl
twenty-four hours before.
caught a glimpse of him once, 8
he was dancing with Miss Flo. Eve
in that tleetiug moment. | saw no
tenderly his strong arm clasped her
how proudly his handsome eyes locke
down upon her-how flushed with hal
pinesS was her own fair face. half hit
den on his broad shoulder; and m
heart gave glad, exultant leap that S
iOvOus a future was assured her.
/ well knew what was the uneXpres
ed family wish, for young Mr.. Earle
estates adioined our own. They wei
unfettered, unepcumbered, and
every wav splendid patrimony.
had turned away from this tieetlr
glimpse among the great folks, my o
brain filled with its idle dreams OF Il
future, when my eyes CHANGED to Il
upon one who, like myself, was e.
crossed in the animated scene beyor
us. II was Miss Flies friend, but o.
how changed,
The mask had fallen from her bea
tiful face. The great black eyes fair
scintillating with suppressed feelin
were tixel upon the two who moved
such perfect harmony with the mus
A drop OF blood was on her scarlet Ii
where her little white teeth had reSte
one small hand was involuntari
clenchcd Her mouth moved, but !
sound ISSUE I II m it.
| stood traasiixed, cold shlver M
ming through me. Ii was this fury who
8 Miss Flo. gentle and unconscious,
garded rs her dearest friend.
OF what s.utf might be made h
dearest foe? | remembered then &
look | had seen these same eyes fix u
on the jewels Was she envIous Ofn
young lady's fortune? What dang
might not threaten her through tt
beautiful panthcress? And yet, he
dared | an humble servant, utter a wo
of warning?
Even with these thoughts passing
quick succession through my mir
there was so sudden and instantaneo
a change swept over Miss Revere's {
preston that | could scarce recall t
other, except as the result of sol
hideous conjuring Of my own fancy.
Miss Flo was coming toward h
leaning on Mr. Earle's arm.
returned to my duties with hea
heart. felt a shadow of Ill was pei
ing over us, yet | almost forgot it nt