River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-10

She assumed an air of timid embar.
rassment, and cast down her eyes.
II think you will do, said Mrs.
Chandler, laughing.
As for Robert Baldwin, he was so
curious to meet the young lady, that
he came home a half hour before the
dinner hour.
Now prepare yourself, julia said
Mrs. Chandler. II hear my brothers
ring. He must be anxious to see you.
or he would not have come so early.
We viii go down and meet him little
before the dinner bell rings"
Supported on the arm of her hostess,
julia Ross descended into the drawing
room.
Robert Baldwin rose from his chair
as they entered, little nervous, but
more self possessed than usual
Robert" said Mrs. Chandler, let
nae introduce my friend, Miss Ross.
Il am glad to meet Miss Ross" said
Robert, with very creditable self-pos.
session.
He held out his hand, but Julia did
not appear to notice it; with fright
ened lsok, she shrank back to the side
of her hostess.
GOOD morning" she said, nervously.
won't you take seat. Miss Ross?"
asked Robert, who felt all his courage
and embarrassment.
"Thank you" murmured Julia, and
sank into the chair proffered her.
Excuse me one moment Julia, said
Mrs. Chandler. II will leave you in
my brothers care.
MAY / not go with you, Maria ?"
asked Julia. CHANGING vita frightened
look at the gentleman,
"Oh, no / shall be back immediately"
cit is a beautiful day, Miss Ross"
said Robert, quite calmly.
"Ye-es" she said hesitatingly.
"Did you have a pleasant journey?"
"Ye-es."
"She is extremely bashful,' Robert
thought with complacency; much more
so than ever / was, | pity her, for
/ know how it feels. )"
II have heard my sister speak of you
frequently, he said.
"Thank you--that is, mean--yes, I
I have been acquainted with her some
time"
Were you ever in this part of the
country before, Miss Ross ?"
"I-that is, NO,
Mrs. Chandler entered here, and din
ner was announced.
Julia continued to exhibit at the Ia
BILE the same nervous timidity as often
as Mr.. Baldwin addressed her; on the
other hand he seemed thoroughly self
possessed.
NsU,H I'll, HT,., ffIavylIz,e
when they we're left alone, what do
you think Of my brother?"
81 see no evidence of the diffidence
you spoke of Maria. He seems thor
oughly elf-possessed MS much SO as
gentlemen ordinarily are"
$50 he did. ! own / was surprised
to find it so. But it only shows how
well our plot is working. 1t was only
because he thought you bashful that he
appeared otherwise. BY the way, you
acted remarkably well. could hardly
believe you were not what you APP
peared TO be"
Thank you, Maria" said Julia,
laughing. II think myself I acted
pretty well. But it's pretty hard work,
| assure you. J. am glad to act myself
once more.
"You haven't told me what you think
of my Observation-Disclosures you are favor.
ably impressed or not"
II think hlm very good-looking and
gentlemanly."
"He is very amiable, also. Ii he is
my brother / can't help doing him JUS
tioc in that particular
In few days Julia saw fit to dimin-
ish her timidity, and to appear moro
self-possessed in presence of Mr. Bald
win. He attributed it to the efforts he
made to put her at ease, and felt
pleased at his success.
Really, Maria" he said, one day,
81 think Miss Ross is quite agreeable,
and very pretty.
eff she were not so bashful," sug-
gested Mrs. Chandler.
II don't know that / object TO that.
She is getting to feel more easy in
my company" said the unsuspecting
bachelor.
II have great mind to tell you d lit
tie secret, Robert"
He looked curious.
But perhaps ! ought not"
Twill be very discreet. You may trust
me, he said. c
linen, Julla likes you.
care you sure of it?"
Eyes; she confided it to me yesterday.
/ don't know what she would say il
she knew / had told you. She would
faint"
Robert Baldwin said nothing, but he
appeared gratified
A few days later he came into his
sisters presence, with face flushed and
joyous.
Maria" he said, 81 am going to sur
prise you"
''Do SO at once, then. Don't keep me
in suspense. You know a woman can
bear anything better than that"
II am going to get married"
SIS it possible? To whom2"
"To Julia Ross
Indeed You must have frightened
her to death when you proposed; she is
so bashful, poor thingp
"No; she took 1t better than | ex-
pected. said Robert. Congratulate me,
Maria
81 do, Robert, heartily Julia is an
excellent girl, and will make you a good
wife; but really, how did you get the
courage to propose?'
"Why the fact is, think I am getting
over my diffidence"
Mrs Chandler smiled-to herself
for she understood it very we'll. Rob
ert Baldwin was very happy in his
welded life, and although he some
times wondered that his wife was SO
much less bashful after marriage, he
never suspected that he owed his happi