River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-12-28

theIE last wax IN o neigtlboring wood,
tie scene of many a former ramble.
Bob were unusually silent. It was
likely to be their final meeting, and it
was strange they could find so little to
say.
AT last Kenneth stopped suddenly.
Katie looked up and saw that his face
was deathly pale, while his frame
tfembled violently. Grasping her hand
with quick, nervous movement, he ex-
claimed, in a voice quivering with emo
ton:
1T is a sin to marry without Lowell
fancied, when I asked Grace Dan
bridge to be my wife. that l loved her
-at least that | loved no other. But
now that / have seen you again, a love
that I had learned to look upon as a
childish fancy has come back with the
augmented fervor of manhood. Oh,
Katie, it is yen l love and you only
Will you not be mine? 1t is not vet
too late!"
For an instant her eye sparkled with
an inexpressible JOY. But the next
moment the joyous light faded, and the
look she turned on Kenneth was almost
stern.
You have solemnly engaged your
word she said. calmly and firmly,
@and should despise you if you broke
itlH
Kenneth Warde let drop the hand
which moment before had lain trem-
bling in his clasp, but which was now
firm and steady. He had received his
answer, and knew it was irrevocable.
aYou are right" he murmured, de-
sparingly; Il must keep my promise,
though it breaks my heart!"
Neither spoke again till they parted
at Katie's mothers door with the single
word, Farewell"
Kenneth found his uncle in fine pas
sion on his return the evening before
the day set for tile wedding.
Bear it like man, my boyl" cried
the old gentleman, thrusting letter
into Kenneth's hand; Il suppose this
will explain all, md relieve me from the
hateful task"
Kenneth opened the letter and read:
Mn. wARDE: 1 trust you will forgive
,.bata,.ar ai., fhis, yx-fiI na,aa VIZ, ,rt -,
you too highly to give you my hand wi hout
my haart. The latter has long been be-
slowed upon my cousin, Seth Ranscn; and
it was only the importun ty OF friends that
induced me in a moment OF weakness to ac-
ccpt auother's offer But, at the last hour
I found myself unequal TO the sacrifice of a
true lore TO a 70 gned one; ana, yielding to
5 tbs persuasion, / consented to his plan of
secret MARI age, and am now his wife.
remain, with much respect, your friend,
GRACE HANSEN.
@BraYo, Kenneth!" cried his uncle, as
the young man broke into hearty
laugh; TIN glad TO see you treat it SO!
The loss is hers, not yours"
1T was the day after the wedding that
was to have been that Kenneth Warde,
dusty and travel-stained, presented him
sci before Mrs. Dene, and asked for
Katie.
@She has gone for walk in the
wood" was the answer; "she hasn't
been quite we'll for day or two past.
Kenneth waited to hear no more. He
hurried along the old familiar path; and
there, where he had spoken the rash
impassioned words which Katie had an
swered 50 nobly, he found her seated,
leaning her head pensively on her hand,
the picture of Respondent sorrow. He
was quite close before she looked up;
and. when she did so, he was startled to
see how wan and haggard were her
features.
swish me joy. Katie" he cried.
Il do wish you Joy, Kenneth-Mr
Warde," she answered listlessly; "but !
hardly expected to see you here; and
where is your-your wife 2"
"Wife?-the best of it is I have no
wife,"
Katie started to her feet, staggered,
aDd would have fallen, had not Kenneth
caught her in his arms.
Then he told her all; and never did
mortal man before relate with SO much
gusto the stery of his own jilting; and
when he kissed Katie at the end, why
she let him.-J1tdge Clark.