Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-10-26
Of the bathers. My nerves were tri-

| knew that, under ordinary circuln-
| stances, his ca % was as hopeless as it
could we'll be. How gracious, and sweet
and smiling she was, and how different
q creature city belle from what he had
imagined! Her laugh had sucEr whole
some, hearty RUG in it, and she was so
Unaffected in her manner, while in
years, she could scarcely, as yet, have
exceeded her twentieth.
Again that night he sat as he did the
evening before and wrestled with HIM
self. At one moment her evident
! pleasure in his company lifted him to
the Highest pinnacle OF happiness, and
then he would be plunged in the deep
estabvss OIL misery as dingy blacksmith
shop, with its glowing forge and heavy
drudgery. rose up before him and
seemed to stand between himself and the
smiling object of his newly awakened
alteration.
The place where he had met his fate
was rather secluded seaside resort in
eastern New England, and as he joined
in the company of Miss Orrington day
after day, he determined to win her, if
possible, let the circumstances be what
they would.
He had developed of late wonderful
liking for feminine society, and SUI
prised himself al the ease with which he
gtded into the ways of the hitherto
charmed circle; for though he was a
novice in such mat ers, he was fairly
well read and above the average in in
telllgence.
| So one evening late in July, as the sea
lay like huge mirror III the soft radi-
ance Of the silver moonlight, he dropped
the oars which he had been plying with
unusual vigor, and allowed the boat to
drift over the CLASSY surface, unrutfled
by the slightest symptom Ola breeze.
His companion was looking dreamily
Of music and sounds Of laughter foated
Ike echoes from fairylund.
Isn't this delicious" said Miss Or
rlngton, turning her radiant face toward
! INN. 1t seems as though | could live
my lie out ILL such state Of beatitude
as this"
A strong arm seemed to grasp the
throat Of the young man.
ut is heaven on earti,," he answered
IN low, almost hoar*e tone.
The strange sound of his voice startled
her.
| Are you sick?" she said reaching her
hand toward him from the seat in the
stern Of the little boat. "Your voice
sounds g., strangely"
"No, am very we'll ndeed," he re-
| turned, with an effort; but I was think
ing how soon these pleasant days must
end"
The oppressed feeling came suddenly
upon her, ami her rosy cheeks paled in
the moonlight.
II had never Thought of that" she
faltered.
1T seems as though we had known
each other q lifeIimew
| And the look in her facs made him
forget everything; and, at the risk Of
capsiaing the frail craft, he threw him
self on his knees before her, and c|asped
| her hand, which he devoured with kiss
es; while the stern Of the boat sank
deep in tranquil water, which sp!ashed
ia over the side, and broughtshin to his
| senses somewhat.
loved you, Miss Orrington?" he WINS
pered, passioEate!v, as though fearful
that prylnr ears might hear him, spite
OF the secluslon Of the waters, and her
low answer assured him that his passion
was returned.
And hour after hour passed Needless
~ by, and the moon cast many an au-
monlshing glance backwards at them as
she retired behind the hlll-tops, ere
they realized the lateness of the hour,
and the happy Peter, who envied not
the angels, once more seized the oars
and pulled bis precious freight shore
ward.
But the reaction came as soon as he
once more sought his pillow, and he
moaned i'll agony as he thought of the
cruel gulf that lay between himself and
the girl whom he worshiped; TOR the
1JrI,f r. t1.ttt ~,
anve had all given place TO tho one en-
crossing idea of possessing her.
One device and another was hit upon
and thrown aside as lmpract'casle, and
wien morning came l,p seemed no near.
CT to q solution than before; but durlu.
the day he con jurcd az a pathway out
OF the dilemma, winch, though not hon,
Orable, he felt assured would at least
bring matters to a crisis.
That evening he told her story Of
how MS parents were set upon his mar.
rying girl for whom he never enter
tanned the slightest affection, and then
as bis weLl-n'gh hopeless love added fer
vor to his words, he urged her to marry
him Immediately y, 80 that this question
might be settled beyond all dispute
and the gill trembling with emotion, t.
his indefinite delight consented.
Their arrangements were of the sin-
plest possible character, and "A hours
a!terwsrd the g.lests assembled st the
hotel parlor to witness the impromptu
marriage. though all day long a horror
of what be WAS doing had been creepiDe
over Peter Fillmore, chilling his heart
and paling his usually ruddy cheek.
And now. as the hour drew near, and
he went to meet the guileless, contiding
girl, he felt more like a. condemned
felon going TO his execution, than pros
pective bridegroom.
Miss Orringtoa met him with down.
cast eyes and flushed cheek, and he,
hand trembling as she placed it in his.
His eyes devoured her hungrily. He
noted her dimpled shoulders thai
cleaned like ivory above the dainty
muslin dress she wore, with the knot.
Of flowers and simple adornments tha
so enhanced he1 beauty, for no jewels
shone upon her fair person; and then
at the last moment, his manhood assert
| ed, itself and be begged moments con
versation with her.
| A look Of horror cleaned in the brown
eyes Of the girl rs they stood alone in
the side-room. She seemed almost faint
ing, and grasped chair for support o.
he turned toward her, with set liIps and
the impress Of death upon his face,
Miss Orrington, can not marry youl'
came from his pallid lips, low, yet dis
tinct, and then he stopped, while the
deceived girl sank into the chair and
sobbed piteoasly.
| II would have made you good wife,
she moaned, as Peter gasped for breath
and tottered back and forth before her.
but am only h blacksmith and HAYS
nothing, but my trade to depend upon.
! A11- L. I'LL
pay the clergyman" he said, at length,
pausing before the waaninn girl nand