River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-03-06
JOSEPHA.

fangement of his papers, strengthening
accounts and settling up of the estate
We're left in my hands. A second was
TO the effect that Josepha (the only and
motherless daughter Of my old
friend. about "a years of age had fin
ally refused him. That he had secured
a change into the Tenth, which was soon
to be ordered away to fight Zulus, and
closed by saying that the best thing i
eould wish him was bullet through the
head in the first enlargement.
My poor Reg 1t was has first taste of
iife's bitter, and it was going down hard.
Ilonged to grasp his hand in sympathy l
cursed the stupidity ofmaiI carriers and
stormed at the hundred and one annoy
ing delays that kept me so long on my
homeward way However. in two days
] was well on my Journey.
Soldiers are rough of speech. be-
gan 20 fashion some soft phrases of
sympathy for my old friends daughter,
but gave up in despair, trusting that,
as in battle, when the opportunity comes,
/ should be ready to equal it. And,
after all, to such self-reliant natures as
Josepha's sympathy held tone Of pity
which gave it distasteful flavor.
A word of myself here An old sol
der, nearing 80 but hale and hearty, |
inherited at my brothers death the pile
of stone he called home, and his large
business interests. misanthrope, he
had shown little taste for the society of
his kind NV visits to him were few
and brief / had taken little notice of
Tosepha until / came to Deerwood as its
master Her name describes her. Divine
sv tall, she had none of the awkwardness
peculiar In women of her stature, but
her motion was at MI times free. sug-
gesting the flight of seabird. Better
than beauty, her face expressed dignity
and character. Her mouth was shapely
and red, although asquare jaw and long
chin proved somewhat detractive to it.
But her eyes-glorious Clearest
gray with pupils of velvet, set under
mans forehead. She had frank, bon
comarade way which played sad havoc
with mems hearts, whatever their armor.
Many OF the wisest and wariest knelt at
her shrine, but each and all vainly.
Between her and my dear lad there had
been an understanding based on a child
ish attachment Merely n silken link.
I cared little for society Though thank
God never nfriendly or cold to my
kind, like my brother. The surround
ing country families who would have
lionized me on account of few scars
and decorations met with small en-
encouragement, and but for the flying
visits of my young lieutenant and am
evening cigar on one Of the wide YER
landas of Hamilton place, my time was
passed in riding and walking and shoot
Fng.
Now I will let you into the secret.
p was surprised when Hound it out my
self ] had fallen in love with Josepha.
freposterousl So | said At any rate,
give me some credit ] never dreamed
iof telling her and / went away i'm
misunderstanding with party of
friends.
Ny old friend | mourned sincerely.
Though ten years my senior, we had
been friends years and years He knew
u stood ready to lend helping hand
whenever it needed; but he was proud
to fault, and though ] had begged him
to allow my assistance Gor [ knew he
was in sad straits he would never take
"a penny.
His reverses We're quick and sudden.
His indomitable will upheld him in his
struggle for 4 time, when that broke
beneath the burden of troubles, which
grew heavier day by day.
Dear old friend! Here lies man
whom pride brought los, +" murmured,
rs l stood over his grave.
L had arrived Mt DeerwOod late in the
afternoon. and had stopped in the
ehurchvard on my way to Josepha.
The grass waved TO and fro | fan
cied the one below stirred uneasily.
Peace, / whispered. Your name
shall be cleared; your daughter guard
cd we'll
Josopha. let me in She stayed to
fasten the door, and as she came up
with me in the corridor she slipped her
cold hand into mine and / held it
strongly. Nv ewes fell on Oswalds
hicture as we entered the drawing
room. Together we stood looking at it.
IThen ] looked at Joseha IN her long
black gown, ner neck rising like lily
stem from its sombreness, as | stood by
her side. Bereavement and harassi ng
kares had set their mark on brow and
hips though she still held her head
proudly. ana her eyes looked into mine
unmisted
If I had loved her in the midst other
happiness and hghtheartedness, how
much more ] loved her now penniless,
with faint shadow OF dishonor on her
name, forsaken by the crowd of sum
mer-day friends.
She looks into my face, for my tongue
was tied. and then bent her head and
kissed my hand.
NV dear" [ said my dear"
The only safe thing for me to do was
10 go to the window, and 1 went.
Presently she followed me, and, having
myself as thoroughly in hand as an old
fighter should by this time, / sat down
beside her and we had long, serious
talk.
The long rays of sunlight paled from
orange to amber and gradually faded m
10 the gray of dusk, and rs vet we had
not spoken Of the future. Josepha had
her fathers own pride and strength of
will. and my heart failed me as L men
tally marshalled my forces and prepared
TO advance. First, / meant that she
should come home with me.
.'Josepha, began, this Is no place
for vou.' and then called myself an
old blunderer, who deserved to be we'll
kicked for his unutterable stupidity.
NO: it is my home, my dear old
home, no longer 1 have looked over
+he papers which are in this box enough
70 see plainly that the place will not be
sufficient to satisfy the demands of the
creditors. Let me know as soon as You
ran the full amount of the deficit; |
have thought it I'll out. No, dear major,
7 cannot be contented to remain idly at
Deerwood, kindly rs youmeau the offer,
while nv fathers lebts remain unpaid
All! I am afraid you are angry; but,
indeed, | cannot
She was rock to arguments and per
suasions. She was her fathers own
daughter. After all, her spirit and tie
termination demanded admiration. |
cave it grudgingly enough, feeling as If
/ should enjoy scolding soundly and
then kissing her.
I took the box and chose TO leave her