River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-02-02

upon the sheet wherein she impressed
her soul.
81 give you ALL" she wrote-"my
past, my present, my future. To me,
| in all the lexicon of language, see but
/ two words-husband and wife They
are emblazoned in letters of-gold within
/ the shrine where my soul kneels and
worships. Frederic, love you"
Her pen dropped from her hand.
had she indeed written the words, or
/ was it her heart which had cried Them
aloud in the Stiffness? A hundred
mocking demons took up the cry and
echoed it. She heard it everywhere
around about her. She saw it blazoned
| in the air. She sank trembling on her
knees, and buried her face in her
| shaking hands.
She and her secret were face to face
at last She had sold her birthright for
a mess of pottage.
In the evening, true to her promise,
Elsa received the letter, but unfinished.
"Add to ii what you will, I" wrote Ger
truda. al could not close it fittingly."
But Elsa sent the copy with no added
words. a
Another fortnight, and the regiment
had arrived A month passed, but
Gertrude and Frederic Houghton had
not met. Once he had called with Elsa,
but she had not been at home.
By singular coincidence it was at
another of Madam Froissart's charm
ing and frequent receptions that fate
threw them together. For moment
her hand rested in his, and his keen
eyes searched her face. Then Elsa
came to claim him for a dance, and
they separated.
Midnight had sounded, when some
one asked Gurtrude for song. Many
Joined in the plea. Giving a somewhat
reluctant consent, she took her seat at
the piano in the little MUSHROOM, the
portiere dividing that from drawing
room drawn aside,
She hesitated a moment, then struck
the chords, and soon the rich, sweet
voice filled the space. at Was a
Dream" was the song she had chosen,
and the pathos of voice and words
brought quick tears to many eyes.
As the last echo died away, amid a
murmur of applause and admiration,
man bent close beside her.
"Come into the conservatory a NOM
ent," ne said 81 wish to speak with
you."
She let him place her hand within
his own and lead her where he would.
Among the plants and flowers he turn
ed to her.
II must speak," he said. "You shall
know how | have loved you'll In
another month, to tell you would be a
SIM"
SIS not your betrothal tt en-, as sacred
as your marriage" she questioned.
"No," he answered; "for sometimes,
Gertrude. feel it would be greater sin
to redeem than break my pledge. Listen
to me You know the old love bore
you, though | never put it into wor DIS
Oh, heart of ice had you not one
throb for the anguish endured Colby
you sent me from you to another. She
welcomed me with smile-you had
dismissed me with frown. She warm
ed me in the sunlight-you chilled me
in the shadow. For a little time, l
sought diversion and forgetfulness. In
the latter l failed sadly. With glad
ness | hailed the outbreak which
brought my regiment into service.
Elsa's regret at my leaving her softened
and touched me. begged her to write
me. Through her, thought, should
hear news of you but, instead, her
letters gave me wondering glimpse
into nature whose depths 1 had never
suspected. How 1ich, how full, how
| true they were, | cannot paint to you.
I read and re-read them. My heart
cried out for more and more, until
knew that its longing and its need wei e
satisfied at last. How rich and ex-
| haustless must be the mine which
stored such jewels With mans avar-
icious greed / longed for its possession.
Is it only the fulfllment of the wish
which makes me fancy its treasure al
ready is exhausted? 1t was EIsa's let
tiers, not Elsa, that l loved. She gives
me food, but my heart still is hAngry.
Gertrude, help me! Tell me the
right I"
They we're alone; the sweet cent o
the flowers filled the air; murmur
| from little mimic stream rustled past
them. Through the dim light, she saw
the white imprisoned pleading of his
face. She heard his quick, agitated
breathing Her own heart beat so
loudly and unconsciously she pressed
her hand upon it. Her secret seemed
to enwrap her in tangible cloud. She
loved, and here before her stood her
king-the magic prince had come at
last. Fer this only she had given up
the birthrieht of her soul. One word,
one little word, and she might reclaim
it; one word, one little word, and her
heart and his would know hunger
nevermore. The temptation stified
her. She gasped for breath. Then
the mist cleared-she saw clearly.
Let us return to Elsa, Mr.. Hough-
ton" she said, calmly. "She will
wonder at our absence; and as for what
we have been speaking Of, remember
the words of my song, 1t is dream.
You have your letters-they are the
realities. One cannot always live In
dreamland."
For the second time" he answered,
"you send me from you ?"
{" For the second time-and the last.
cob, God ! that a soul so beautiful
in outward form should wear case OF
icel
Thus, man-like, and in a mans blind
ness, he judged her.
He went forth, in his weakness, to
redeem his pledge. She, in her strength,
took up her double burden, but that
she bore it, gave to the world no sign.
That Iron Screw.
1t is not generally known that the
| Pilgrims on board the Mayfiower held
consultation in mid-ocean, and that the
finding of an iron screw among their