River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-04-05
HAPPY AT LAST.

~ ASA A4oAO q aOOA VI 9OQs w LIZ
ware of handsome Paul Lester, Marion;
though your heart has hitherto been love
proof, he will find its we K point and
wound it." was the advice that annoyed her
and the result was. naturally, that each W 8
predisposed to dislike and distrust the other.
"Yet after all, they did neither. The
seeds of doubt once sown had taken root
and fourished feebly, but the man and
woman sympathized-and loved-in their
secret hearts; only they kept their feelings
secret-especially from each other; for
when Paul's affection would peep out In
some ungusrded look or word, Marion would
shrink back distrustful; and when she be-
tray her feelings by some tender tone or
wistful glance, he reminded himself quickly
-s'She is an atrant coquetie."
So when the end of he gay winter season
csme, and the birds of fashion prepared to
fly away to fresh fields and pastures new"
and Paul and Marion babe each other good
bye, each was miserable-eich was in doubt
each was in love
'Adieu" said Paul, with merry gallantry,
hiding a sharp heart-plng. II am grateful
to yOu for many pleasant hours, although 1
do not fitter myself you win remember me
until next winter comes"
And sac answered, smilingly, that until
next winter was long time to remember
anyone.
So Paul went away heavy-nearted, for he
owned to himself:
Il DO love her far too well; and she-the
coquerte-had she cared jot FOR me, would
surely have given me pne serious. kind word
of parting"
Not remembering that he had given no
''serious, kind words" to her-not suspect
ing that, alone that night, she repeated his
light farewell with heart-sob of pain:
Remember him till next winter! Oh,
Paul, my hearts dear love, sha Il remem-
Der you till l die, and die remembering
you!"
They met before the winter came, howev-
er; they met in the late summer by the sea-
side. The little plant of doubt had become
q great, rank weed now whose poisonous
root embittered their secret love and its
taste Of happiness.
Paul had come down to the shore express
~ because he had heard that Marion was
there aud he was "iain to see her." as
Swinburne says, yet, when they met, he
pretended to be much surprised at the en-
counter; while Marion, who Lad heard of
his coming, and counted the hours till he
should arriye-who had made her toilet
with the utmost care for his loved eyes
alone-EhOse beauty had bloOmed anew at
the thought that his smile would be its sun
shine-Marion stared at him in innocent
surprise for few seconds before she could
recall to her memory who he was, and
where she had formerly met himI'
Oh, fooisl-poor silly fools-to tribe thus
with the peace of their own heartsl
But the mischief was done; the breach
was made, and kept widening day by day
It would require a grave and great convul-
sion OF ordinary circumstances and events
u fling these two proud, loving hearts
back into their true relations.
Aud that CONFUSION came; it came in
the shape Of great storm one evening to-
wards the end of August the day before
the one that Paul had fixed to return to
town.
"For why should 1 stay Ionger2 She
cares nothing for me. Her presence brings
me only torture" he thought "Pil be a
man and leave her"
And she, wild with misery, unable to
rest within doors, hating herself because she
had appeared to urge him to go, while her
heart died within her at the thought OF
parting; she set of for mad walk along the
sands.
Anywhere to escape from herself.
II have been unkind, unfriendly, rude
we ere not even friends now, any mors-I
might have won him, and 1 have driven
him away-the only man ever loved oh,
why was warned against him. Why did |
not judge for myself? He will go to-mor-
row and l shall never see him more-nev-
or more!n
A wild desire to be utterly and entirely
alone-to abandon herself to her despair
where no human eye could see her, came
over her. she turned and walked cut to
rock that at low water was accessible from
tie shore, but at full tide was surrounded.
Il will come back before the water turns"
she thought, with a thrill of mortal fear,
''Fhere is an hour yet"
Bat an hour goes swiftly when one is lost
In painful thought; nearly twice that time
had gone when sudden peal of thunder
aroused ner.
The water was all around the rock, surg
ing ard tossing wildly; her return to the
shore vas cut Off
Sue stretched out her arms toward the
beach and uttered one long and thrilling
cry; the raging wind carried it out TO sea
and no one heard her.
Il am lost-Iostl" she cried. sob, God
have mercy on mel" and she sank down al
most insensi0le.
But though no one heard her piercing cry
saqlecne saw her. and that someone was the
man she loved.
He had seen her go hurrying along the
beach, aud foreseeing storm, had followed
her; he had not kT own she was on the rock
and was wondering now where he could
have missed her when he saw her white
dress fluttering in the wind.
Within five minutes he had procured
boat, and in the facs of the raging storm,
went toiling out to sea to save her.
She did not see him coming; she was on
her knees in prayer, when he sprang ON the
tock beside her. With a shrek OF i0y she
sprang up, and flung herself into bis arms.
''You, Paul. you'll On, thank God thank
G4al am not afraid now, even of dying
s-.AH NfO ttut htloW Al--t4CA NANEttAiiSAAN We
TOO grca-but there wss full confession
in those words, and impulsively Paul kissed
the lips that spoke them.
"My darliog, you do care fol me little,
tben. Oh Marion. be it life or death,
With you, I welcome it. But" and he
kissed the SWEET. white lips again, life IS
The sweetest. Come, dearest, come"
hey turned, hsnd in hand, TO enter the
boat, it was gone They were alone on
desolate rock, aud death around them.
They looked into each others faces.
Marion uttered one bitter cry.
L Lave murdered ycul My love-my
howell have murdered you! Yet 1 would
have given my life for yours!''
He caught her to his breast.
death together is better than life apart,
be said, 'and 1t would have come to that
tomorrow. Oh, Marion did you love me
all this timer"
eFrom the very first" she answered,
weeping. II, too, can welcome death, it
the alternative is life without you"
Then they confessed to each other, humb-
~, all their folly, all their suffering, all
their love; and with death creeping on
them close and fast they were happy.
You will held me fast, she whispered,
IS the5 great waves came rolling in, and
covered their feet already.
- -.