River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-04-12

tain2 1t Is you, and not me. who have
made an impression on him
Miss Latane looked up from her silk-net
| ting with an expression of such genuine sur
prise that tbs three ladies bit their lips tc
suppress a smile, and then laughed at some
trifing remark made by one of them.
II dare say you think me impertinent,
resumed Miss Rosa, with charming naiyete
"but 1 can't help seeing it, you know.
Indeed, Pm sure he's desperately smittenp
A vivid color rushed to Eva Latane'.
brow.
81 think You are mistaken" she said. 81
am nothing to Captain Herbert, or be to me
l should think any one might see that"
''0h, my dear, you may not be able 10
see what others cannot while you have
that pretty way of casting down your eyes
with their long lashes, in the presence o.
gentlemen. but if YOU could see how b,
looks at you when he imagines himself
unobserved, and how quick he is to catch
the sound of your stepl Pray, don't bt
angry with me" she added, coaxingly
seeing the color flush wildly into Evai
face; 'but you know / couldn't help see
ing it, and il really seems cruel in you,
not to give him some encouragement"
1t was at this moment Captain Herbert
himself entered the drawing followed
by one or two gentlemen. His glance fel
upon Miss Latane, who sat facing the door
Her cheeks were still crimson, and in hel
embarrassment the ball of silk fell from hel
lap and rolled to the captains feet.
He picked il up and politely returned it
She thanked him shyly, with yet deepel
blush, and without raising her eyes.
He looked at her with sort of inquirine
surprise, and the young ladies exchanged
amused chances.
TITS too bad of you to go on so, Rosa,
demonstrated Lily, day or two after. 81
am now convinced that the poor thing
really does like him; and if you lead he
to imagine that he cares for her, nobody
knows what the consequences to her maj
be-"
She doesn't imagine that he likes her
If she did, she would not hesitate to Civ,
him encouragement; but you see how colo
and distant to him she is
THAT indifference is put on for our bene-
it," said Miss Keane "She is determined
not to commit herself and imagines that
We don't see that she is pining in love
with him. / should like to undeceivt
her, and administer a little wholesom,
modification. She's so ridiculously pru
DISH"
Miss Pinkney suddenly clasped hel
hands.
ooh, girls, I've thought of something
To-morrow's the first of April''
"Well2" said Miss Lexington, composed
ly.
''Well" repeat ed Rosa, with emphasis
Eve will play Miss Eva an innocent little
joke, which will certainly reveal whether or
not she's in love with Captain Herbert
and if she is, will lead her into betrayine
herself to us all"
And then the four put their heads togeth.
er, and after some animated discussion,
mingled with little ripples of laughter. pro-
duced pen and paper, and in disguised hand
wrote the following note:
miss Eva Latane: 1 hear that, like my
self, you leave town in a few days. For
give Inc therefore, if avail myself or an
opportunity which may not shortly again
present to tell you how dearly your i'm
age is cherished in my heart. You are
remain silent while longing for an oppor-
tunity of saying in person whas a M COM
PEELED thus to commit to paper.
MAY l see you alone for few moments
this evening, in the little room adjoining
the ladies' parloT2 If so, may also beg OF
you TO wear the enclosed token, as some
thing that l may be sure is intended for mel
'MAxwELL HERBERT"
''The inclosed token" was little silken
Union flag, about three inches long.
81 think this will do" said Miss Keane
glaneing critically over the note. "Bul
how are We to let her know that we under
stand the significance OF the little flag, and
not betray ourselves2"
THAT is easily arranged" answered the
ever-ready Bosa. "We will write four du-
plicates to each other, each enclosing flag.
and when she makes her appearance in pub
lie with the patriotic, sentimental token
conspiculonsly displayed-he! hel-we will
show ours and compare notes, and then
sud lenly recollect that it is the first ofApril
Imagine her chagrin and modification"
''But we must let the lovers interview
come of first, amiably suggested Mis-
Keane. Imagine the captains look o.
presence with her conscious, expectant look
and then-walk out again! OF course ht
will never know anything about our little
joke"
1t was, as the young ladies we'll knew, the
habit of Captain Herbert to pass an hour OF
so of lazy lounging after dinner in the little
room adjoining the ladies' parlor. No one
was about then, and the tiny apartment was
an attractive retreat, with ats luxurious
lounging- chairs poisoning roses, an6
newspapers and magazines strewn about.
On this particular evening Captain Her
bert might or might not be there. They
would have to take the chances.
at dinner, Mrs. Chase's boarders were. as
usual, all punctually in their places. -Four
pairs of bright eyes curiously sought out
Miss Latane, and then four chances met in
an eloquence more expressive than words
Their bait had taken, and the unsuspectine
victim was caught. For there sat Eva
with flushed cheek and long eyelashes
dropping, and the little blue-and-red flag
pinned on her dress in place of boquet.
Her seat was nearly opposite Captain Her
bert, vet she never raised her eyes to him
She looked very pretty; perhaps he Thought
So for he glanced at her curiousIy more
than once. He noticed the unique orna-
ment she wore, and he thought, as Others
did. that it was an odd taste.
AS to Eva, she knew they were laughing
at her singular choice of decoration; bu
what did it matter when he understood III
And oh, to her; how much, unguessed by
others. depended upon the wearing of tina
little fiagi
A few minutes chat in the parlor after
dinner, and the gentlemen departed to theil
business and the ladies to their rooms.
Captain Herbert having no business
sauntered into .the little reception-room
seated himself comfortably in the most lux
urious of the cushioned arm-chairs, and
took up a new magazine. The door open
ing into the ball stood half-open. He haC
not a suspicion that lust within the opposite
door, across the hall stood pretty group
of girls. listening ar d watching for some
thing apparently.
A light step or the stair-a step tina
grew fainter and slower as it approached
the door of the little room where the cap
tain idly sat; faint stir of a silken dress
IA slow opening of the door-and ht
looked up, to see a slight figure standing
there, doubtful, hesitating, trembling, and
with eyes fixed upon him in mute appeal.
Captain Herbert arose, and stood for ore
minute gazing in surprised inquiry at his
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