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

harm could come to her, even through
woman's malice?
All, my unspoken question remained
not long unanswered 1t had been all
too natural for these too young hearts
to flow toward each other, obeying the
life impulse of both. They had loved
each other rs children; they knew each
other as though the bond of brotherhood
and sisterhood united them; their
memories circled around the same
spot, were haunted by the same OBJ
jects.
1t was the natual sequence, which all
had anticipated. Therefore, save Mr..
Earle was with US more constantly than
of old. and that there was a new flush
on Miss Flo's cheek, a softer. tender
er light in her blue eyes, it was hard to
realize any change. But one was pend
less difficult of realization. The lovers
had constant companion III the per-
son of my young lady's friend. At
first Mr.. Earle seemed to dislike her;
but Miss Flo's sweet influence and his
own courtesy led him first to conceal
this, and later to overcome it.
Miss Flo's sweet influence and his
own courtesy, have said; but there
was more potent reason still in Miss
Revere's marvellous fascination. There
was not one in the whole household it
escaped, save myself, and even had to
pull myself up MANY times with
sharp turn lest /, too, should be blinded
by its glamour. But it was not my old
eyes with which she had to deal.
Miss Flo, all trusting and unsuspici-
Gus, threw the two she loved constantly
together.
''You must like each other for my
sake" she would say.
Is danger ever so threatening as when
it falls on those who dream not it is near {?
The sorceress had the young master
tightly in her coil ere he dreamed that
! even a silken thread had enfettered
him. He struggled then to be free. The
| full horror of it all overwhelmed him;
he grew pale and haggardeyed.
But tighter and tighter she drew the
bonds, and, like bird fascinated by
the serpent, step by step he approached
the magic influence of her sway.
Sometimes she would flash a sudden
bewildering smile into his eyes; some
times she would assume a pensive
coyness; sometimes a strange thrill of
passionate grief would seem to sway
| her.
One Of her most wonderful attrac-
tiOns was her voice. Even in speaking,
one seemed to listen to low music, but
in singing it ranged the gamut of hui
man emotion.
One eyening-it was in the twilight
Miss Flo and Mr.. Earle were sitting
together, on the broad piazza outside
the long French windows leading into
the drawing-room, when just within,
| from the music-rOom beyond, arose
the words of an imprisoned song.
From the dining-rcom across the
hall, | could hear the measure, III its
wonderful melody, and knew that she
who sang it was singing to but one,
who could not be deaf to the appeal
the words conveyed.
Higher and higher rose the exquisite
voice, trembling with its weight of
passion; and he for whose ear alone it
was intended, sat without, girls fair
hand clasped in his--a girls fair head
resting on his shoulder girls light
heart filled wish his image.
Did Miss Aline know that he would
come in obedience to her call? Was it
a mere accident which summoned Miss
Flo from his side?
However that might be, when left
alone, with slow, reluctant movement
he rose, and, passing through the open
window, walked with uncertain steps
TO the room beyond The singer sang
on.
Did she see that figure standing still
and silent Just beyond the threshold?
/ rho, l,f 81 aInys hid him
as her voice suddenly died away in a
choking sob, and her head bent for
ward on the keys.
Instantly he was by her side. In
stantly he had raised her head to his
breast, with his strong faithless arms
clasped about her.
"Aline," he said, my love, my lover"
And then uplifting the crimson lips
to his bent and kissed them.
was busy with my silver, knowing
naught of this, but wondering how |
might unfold to my young mistress my
suspicious, when | heard close beside
me low startled cry. | glanced up.
Miss Flo was standing on the threshold
| of the MUSHROOM. She had seen all.
She would have fallen, but that, spring
ing forward, | caught her in my old
arms, as Mr.. Earle came hastily toward
! us.
/ forgot his rank and my position, as
| wave .I W hut even IN my bitter
indignation against HIM, felt for what
he suffered when | saw the white look
of misery on his young, handsome face.
Up the broad stairs | carried my
Young lady to her room, and laid her
on her couch. Then her mother came,
and left her; but as | passed through
the room beyond, / saw lying in the
empty crate some torn scraps of pa
per. Mechanically, with servants
orderly instinct stopped and picked
Them up, when my eye was caught by
the meaning of single sentence, "the
heir of the adjoining estate"
OF course a gentleman" would have
gone no further, but | was but mere
/ servant with the interests of the faml.
ly whom | had served more than two
score years over and beyond all else.
carefully carried the little handful
Of papers up to my room, and there,
bit by bit. with hard work and infinite
spelling, | made them almost perfect
whole.
; "Delay your coming a little longer
, dear father" wrote the traitoress. "The
fish is already in my net. | could
laugh at his weakness were there not
: such stake. He is the heir to the
/ adjoining estate, acres on acres OF
which | can see from my window as
2 write. l shall be grand English lady
: vet: and then, who will taunt me with
being the daughter of n circus-rider
| We will wipe out that stain, then, OF
7 my mothers side, and you shall have
your reward for all the sacrifices you
5 have made for me-"
/ Had | discovered a vein of gold
' c uld not have gloated more than Over
these few words.
/ All, now indeed, could avenge my
young lady, and punish her recrean
lover! But the time was not yet ripe
| would wait until he had given her hi
old and honored name, and then
would unmask her ere she had reapec
: the glory, and too late for him to re
: trieve the shame.
With this determination, went bach
d to my duties; but, passing through the
hall. Mr.. Earle's voice, low and yet ex
cited, caught my ear
e Il have been mad - he said. "Aline
u | s 10 / have don.