River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-08-07
when did you reach home, DR.. Ma
IN o ....-...-.1 AZ. 49,

"When did You reach home. DIR. Ma
gill ?" inquired Miss Meserve.
"Only last night, but / ran over al
most Immediately to Cousin Lucy's to
beg her to keep my coming secret,
even from. you.
"Why?n with some establishment.
Because wished to surprise a warmer
welcome than / otherwise might re-
| ceive.n
Were you satisfied" giving him
saucy, bewildering look.
II shall be, if you will let your heart
| speak, Gertiei" passionately. Oar
| ling. / only come back to ask Won fo1
your love; to win you for my wife.
| Three years ago, these words were
| trembling on my lips but | would not
/ give them utterance. had first to
| win, not fortune, but an income suf-
ficient to ensure you at least the com
| forts, If not the Injuries of your fathers
| home. | have been successful beyond
my ardent hopes My position is an as-
sured one. Oh, my hearts dearest, was
| mistaken in thinking YOU could care
| for me--were my hopes too presump-
tuous? Gertie, darlingi Youlove me,
| do YOU not ?"
What a power of pleading yibrated
| through the impassionated voice. What
a wealth of tenderness lighted the dark
eyes, intense with feeling What a
mighty love peryaded the mans whole
beingl How could any woman with
stand such a torrent of emotion,
What sudden shock, Gertrude Mes
erye awoke to consciousness of hei
hearts hitherto unsupported, yet latent
sentiment, and she trembled like a
frightened thing.
Roger took both small hands reassur-
ingly in his, and gazed lovingly into her
shy face.
Fainter fioated the music on the sweet
scented air, then ceased entirely. Deep
Ell grew the twilight shadow. Gertrude
needed not. Her proud little head had
found resting-place. The naughty,
beautiful girl was conquered, and CON
| tent to have acknowledged her name.
S'Well, Roger, said Miss Evans rising
from the piano, chow did you like that
last movement? Why" in great sur
prise and bewilderment, "where in the
world is Cousin Roger?"
Her lover smiled. "He and Gertie
| SllDHeu aWdN SOilctll0t SIlct, ne VII
swered, ''but / was enjoying your play
ing so much I would not interrupt You. :"
''Gertie will take cold out in this
dew-laden air." exclaimed Lucy. 'sWe
had better hunt up the runaways"
''No need, for here they come"
'Will you ring for lights, please, Hor-
ace?" said Miss Evans.
mo, don't" laughingly protested DR.
Roger. LET the dusk hide our bushes.
"Oh!" cried Gertie, under her breath.
"What do you mean, cousin 2" said
Lucy, peering first into his face and
then into chat of her friend. "Can it be
possible, she added, that my hopes
are to be fdllflled?a
Depends upon what they are" an
swered Roger, gaily. Then, more So
berly: "As for me, | have won the
dearest wish of my heart. The hope
that has been my inspiration from boy
hood is at last realized, drawing Ger
tie tenderly to his side.
Impulsiye Lucy threw her arms
around both. Then she burst out
laughing. I'm going to live and die
an old maid !" she said, emphatically.
What's that?" queried Horace.
"'Oh, nothing mischievousiy ASK
Gertie."
Some resolutions are better broken
than kept was the laughing, defiant
reply, aud a soft hand stole caressingly
into that of Roger Magill. Yankee
I Blade