River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-02-14
A TRIUMPH OF LOVE.
You must, Allie. .
"But. mother


against the arm.
Mrs. Wentworth stroked the sof
brown hair framing the delicate pale
lace, her eyes full of fondest love.
Foolish child Do you expect to bt
always so devoted to your old worn ou
mother?" she said, aquiver in her voice
Eyes, indeed do; and you must no
talk about being old and worn out. We
will grow old together"
Her mother smiled.
well, but that need not prevent the
holiday. Martha win take care of me
You must go, dear. 1 command your
''Then l must obey" said Allie, 8
bright smile flashing over her face.
She was not exactly pretty girl but
one who would be attractive and lovable
through age as we'll as youth, for tbs
loveliness of her nature.
She had once cherished bright
dreams OF love aud happy marriage,
like other girls; but two years before
her mother has been stricken down
with paralysis, and for long time they
thought she would Gle.
Poor Alliel 1t was dark time to her
for she was the only child of widowed
mother, and they had been devoted t.
each other.
She gave up her work, and for weeks
lived right beside that sick bed; but at
last the doctors pronounced the dear in
valid out of danger, and though she
would never be well and strong again,
the simple sparIng of her life was enough
TO be forever grateful for.
Henceforth Allie sternly banished ro-
nance from her mind, and went bravely
aud cheerfdlly back to the dressmaklng
shop; for though they had a small in
come, it was not sufficient for all their
expenses.
Now, letter from Letlie Harvey, an
old school friend ina & interrupted the
sober routine of Fer life.
Lettie was going to be married, and
urged her dear Allie to come to the we'd
ding. She lived in a village not far from
the city, and Allie did feela wistful long
ing to escape for a short time to freel
atmosphere.
She would have put down the desire,
and made her home duties an excuse
for not accepting her friends invitation;
but her mother took the matter into her
own hands, and sent her away.
Lettie was delighted to see her friend
ana alter telling her about her own love
affair, said
81 sent for you. not only to see me
married, Lettie. dear, but also to meet
the incest fellow in the world-next to
Arthur"
Nonsense, Lettie. you know that [
do net care for such as that, said Allie,
flushing.
But you ought to. Do you intend to
be an old ma;d?"
"Yes!" firmly and decidedly.
"Cross as two sticks--sour as a crab
applet Oh, yes, | can see you nova
wrinkled, withered little witch, with a
whisp of hair about as big as my finger,
and shoulders bent almost double"
Allie laughed, stole a glance at her
slender, but straight, well rounded fig
IRE, her bright soft eyes, and youthful
faee-then relapsed into gravity.
81 shall never marry, Lettie."
"Why not?" impatiently
Because cannot desert my mother"
Nobody but brute would ask you to
y
81 am sure Roy Stuart would not"
"Who?"
''Roy Stuart"
SIS that his nRme?"
''Yes. What do you think of it?"
Altogether too romantic"
"Psbawl tits fine name, and Just
suits him, He is rathe, large, and dark,
and handsome, think, with beautiful
grey eyes. Moreover, he is good and
noble. He is Arthur's best friend; and
just think how nice it would be to live
here near together 1 am sure this pure
air would strengthen your mother"
'Do hush, Lettiel You talk as though
had nothing to do but signify my will.
ness, and the gentleman would propose"
said Allie, rising and walking to the win
dow, somewhat disturbed.
The bride.elect turned her engage
ment ring round on her pretty, plump
finger, half-smile on her face.
Her schoolgirl friendship had sur
viyed time and absence, and she felt an
unselfsh desire to see her friend as hap
py as she herself.
"She is tender, loving creature. She
would make an adorable wife and de-
voted mother. She must get that fool
Ish notion of self-sacriice out of her
head, or her life will be spoiled" unused
the girl, silently.
Allie met Arthur Wooton, her friends
affianced, that evening; but not thus quiet
" was she destined to meet his friend.
The second cay after her arrival she
was persuaded 10 go out riding with
Lettie. Now she was not au experienced
horsewoman, and unfortunately her
horse had not been exercised for two or
three days; and when beyond the limits
of the village, he was disposed TO take
control.
''Prav be CAREFUL l am afraid
he will run awayl" exclaimed Lettie i'll
alarm. "Dear me, if he shouldw
"Don't mention it," gasped Allie,
growing pale, and pulling hard at the
rein.
Well, he didn't exactly run away, but
when they came near the banks of q
river he bolted, and could not be pulled
up until he stood in the middle of the
ford.
His luckless rider did not stop then,
for when he halted so suddenly and I'M
expectedly, she pitched headlong out of
the saddle into the water.
1t was not really dangerous fall, but
oh, how ridiculous and notifying!
There she sat in the middle of the
stream, bare-headed and dripping wet,
when young man, attracted by Lettie' S
shrieks, fastened out of the woods, his
gun in his hand:
Flinging down gun and game-bag, he
waded in to the rescue of the unfortu-
nate Allie.
"What an absurd mishap Don't ask
me to ever ride aga \, )" she said. shaking
out her dripping habit.
THANK heaven, you are unhurtr'
cried Lettie, gratefully. and thank
Roy for coming to the rescue" she
added, with a flash OF mischief in her
eyes.
Allie glanced quickly up into the gray
eyes she had heard called beautiful,
then blushed deepest crimson.
Thst WAS how she met MIR. Stuart, and
though she told herself it made no diff
ference what kind of an impression
she made on him; she could not thin k
of her dishevelled, half-drowred APP
pearance with anything but disgust
Gracious heavens, whata fright" she
murmured, when safe in her own room
she went, girl like, to the mirror the
first thing.
Determined that the second impress
sion should be better than the first, she
made a careful toilet that evening, and
appeared at her brightest ana best.
Mr.. Stuart who proved to be as intelli'
gent aad agreeable as go0dlooking, de-
voted himself TO her entertainment in q
quiet. unobtrusise way.
Lettie's wedding preparations went
merrily on, and the bridegroom's best
friend sesmed to be deeply interested
in them. He certainly called on the
Harveys as often as he could, and
ls,1 a.. L Ont