River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-05-25
1--WE shall indeed responded hel

| mutual attraction, except desire upon
both sides for slight gain. Russell was
secretly weary OF the spot; he had hun
gered for home-like accommodations,
and felt that an occasional stolen hour
at the Grange when he came to the vii
lage upon errands for the camp, would
prove exceedingly agreeable. Rachel
was anxious for some means of killing
time at first, and later she. began to
hope that through this chance visitor
she might dispose OF the Grange, which
she felt to be milestone around her
neck-the one thing which detained
her from the gay life of the city, which
she coveted.
THANK you both" Russell said "for
your kind hospitality" and there was
something in his manner which gave a
great earnestness TO his words and
made them fall sincerely upon the ear.
81 would be glad to lnger longer now,
but must hurry to perform my err
rands there; but if you viii not think
it too great an intrusion | will stop an
hour or two on my return tomorrow
evening"
''We will welcome you gladly" and
then there was a smile upon her lips,
in her eyes, and dimples in both cheeks
and chin.
This smile Russell took in the light
of revelation.
sit would take but a trifie to make
that girl very fond of me-" he thought
as he rode away.
There were letters for himself and
friends. On one his name was written
in a graceful woman's hand; there
were two letters addressed in SINH
lar hand in his inner coat pocket. He
had opened these very hurriedly; but
this he merely gave two glances and
thrust them unceremoniously In his
pocket to be read by and by; he was
busy with other thoughts tonight. But
afterwards when he reached where the
camp fires were burning, he sat down,
and sheltered by hedge of cedars and
underground of various kinds, he read
the letter clean through. Then, after
musing a while, mis- companions being
busy with their own letters and pas ers,
he then took the portable writing desk.
which was the property of the camp
collectively, dipped his pen in the ink
and sat down to write. s'Dear Zoe" be
began, and then he paused, threw MS
pen aside, crumbled the sheet and
threw it into the fire.
81 must write" he said, cor 1 shall
have no excuse for going to the vii
lage tomorrow afternoon. | wonder,
though" and he smiled a trifie, how
Zoe would relish it if she knew l made
the answering of her letter serve as an
excuse for calling upon another girl. 1t
is quite as well, perhaps, that women
don't know everything, and that they
have so much self esteem they never
suspect our loyalty to them without
first receiving the most convincing proof
to the contrary"
So he wrote the letter, lighted cigar,
and thought-not ct Zoe, but of rosy,
dimpled Rachel, ar of its being such
pity that she was ioosing her head
over him, as she undoubtedly was; and
Notwithstanding his revery, the idea
that he should avoid her and so save
her from a broken heart never enter
ed mis- mind.
Accordingly, next day he was oblig-
ed to go to the village again. He had
letters to post, and besides he forgot to
make some very necessary purchases.
The ride was rather lonely. No one
else desired to take it, and Russell set
out towards nightfall. saying that he
might be detained an hour or two in
the village. His letters were soon post
ed, his errands performed, and he took
his willing way to the Grange.
Rachel stood on little porch which
overlooked the road. She was evident
ly watching for him. How pretty she
was, even in her black dress, with the
white crysanthemums in her hair. She
gave him her hand in greeting, and
did not attempt to conceal her Joy at
seeing him once more. He sat down
for few moments, and then, as the
evening was rather cool, they went in
to the house, where fire was kindled
upon the wide hearth. Aunt Mary
was there, but she soon went out on
household duties intent, and Russell
was left alone with Rachel.
She looked exceedingly fair as she
sat in the freight, chatting in pleas
ant, childish way, her face lighted up
with the JOY of his presence. She pour
ed out her troubles in his listening ear,
and he replied in a cheering almost af-
fectionate manner, partly because it
was his way to be courteous to pretty
women generally, and partly because
he was growing somewhat interested in
this one especially,
"You must be lonely" he said, "my
poor child. If possible | will find you
a purchaser for the grange, and then |
shall see more of you in the city. So
you see, my interest in the matter is
not altogether unselfish."
She smiled, thanking him once more.
"You have friends in the city," he
said.
eyes, but only cousin whom have
never seem"
ga gentleman ?" he asked.
"No, lady"
~ am glad" he returned, "for then l
shall not be jealous ofyour cousin"
''You might fall in love with her in
stead" she answered.
''That would be impossible" he re-
piled, "if you were near" and though
he said it for effect, he began to be a
little frightened as he began wonder
what he would do with two women in
love with him.
Supper was soon announced, and
Russell did full justice to the viands be-
fore him, and afterward he fingered as
long as he dared. When he did leave,
Rachel stood upon the porch to bid
him adieu, the moon was shining very
clearly down, the girl was very fair,
and when she gave him her hand in
parting, saying she was sorry to have
him go, he raised it to his lips as he
said good night, and kissed it unrepro-
we'd.
Afterward, with or without excuse to
his comrades, Russell visited the grange
every day. He had sore throat, and
Aunt Mary, who prided herself upon
being wonderful nurse, said she was
worth dozen doctors, he quite won
her heart by cordially agreeing with
her, and taking the most bitter herb
tea offered him as proof of her heal
ing powers.
When at last the camp broke up,