River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-01-31


told you how dearly 1 love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me 70
break my plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence ia me?"
"Allconfdence Mary; knowyou will
be true to me-"
''Then what is your fear?"
Everything. Youare youngand beau
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi is only child,
while 1 am a poor clerk in the house OF
the Meredith Brothers, with nothing
but an unsulIied reputation, some brains
and good right hand to help me
through the world"
so much the better, then, that am
the daughter of the rich Mr. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and has
implicit confidence in your honor. lie
invites you here, and allows our &C
luaintanee. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubles?7
"Your father trusts me ana l must be
true to him, you and myself. I will go to
him and frankly confess our attachment.
should feel miserable otherwise"
eco now; he is in his study"
Felix cought the girl in his arms and
kissed her rosy lips
Your confidence inspires me with
hope" he said, and went away on his
mission. Tapping at Mr.. Meredith'5
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gedtle-
man. who gave MIN his hand, saying:
why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, l hOpe?"
NO, sir; but | want to ask Of yOu
gift so precious that / have very little
hope OF obtaining it.
swell, well, name it. am always
glad to favor you if l can"
Felix was greatly agit1ted, but sum
moned up all the courage aud said:
"Mr Meredith, l love your daughter.
| do not, however, ask you TO give her
to me now. Only let me hope that
when | prove to YOU -
Mr., Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed It had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
''4ou are an unarateial, treacherOus
scouudrell' he cried. ''Out of compass
sion for your fr;endlessness l admitted
you to my house and my daughters
society, and you, william that YOU are
have taken the opportunity to steal into
and win her inexperienced heart. Be-
gone, sir, and never let me see your
lace again"
Listen to me one moment, Mr.. Mere
dith."
mot one secoudr' cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenched fist upon the table. "Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you out" And az if to pat his
threat into execution he iercely rang
the bell
As Felix staggered along the passage,
bis heart so oppressed with contendiug
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
of anything, he met Mary, who, alarmed
at the violent ringing of the bell, was
rushing to her fathers study. Felix
wildly threw his arms about her, kiss
ing her again and again. Then he tore
himself away and rushed from the
house.
Mary never knew what occurred at
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf TO all her entreaties and her
lover had disappeared. The poor girl
was stricken with brain fever, and for
weeks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came to the unhappy father,
for although sought fer far and near Fee
Xix could not be found. At length youth
and good constitution brought back
health to the heart-broken girl. But
alasl the blooming young Hebe 0fseVen-
teen summers was no more. In her
place tall, pale girl appeared, but with
= beauty that even the most fastdiOu5
admired. The golden brown curls that
clustered around her temples lay IN rip
pling waves upon a brow as pure as
snow, and the soft, lustr0us
hazel eyes wore an expression OF sad
ness that told of the heart grief that
would be hers forever.
Mr. Meredita travelled with his
daughter through all the most attrac-
tive parts of Europe for year. Then,
at her r. quest, ne took her home. Mary
had become a woman, bright, inteili-
gent, glorious woman, and crowds OF
admirers worshipped at her feet; but
the image of Felix was still as fresh MS
ever in her heart, and the VOWS she had
exchanged with him were never for
moment forgotten. Therefore, all oilers
of marriage were at once declined.
Time rolled on. Mary had now
reached her twenty eighth year, and still
remained maiden beneath the pater-
nal roof
Ore cold winter evening Mary sat by
the glowing fire in her fathers drawing
room. Her small white hands were
clasped upon her bosom, and her eyes
were cast downward until the LONG
lashes lay like golden pencilings upon
her cheek, Near her, IN
his great armchair, sat Mr.. Meredith,
with the SHOWS Of many winters on his
head and his face deeply turrowed by
the hand Of time There was an ex-
preston Of care upon his countenance.
He looked troubled and unhappy.
MARY" said ne continuing u CONVEX
sation that had been going on between
them, ''all nv life / have made your
happiness my constant study and have
given YOU luxurious home. Now you
are advancing in years, and | shall ere
long be separated from you by death
How can [ leave you alone in TINS cold
world? \ home is now open to You, and
Won must accept 1t. 1t Is not be -ause |
owe this man a very large SUN that |
insist upon this marriage, although II
YOU refuse him we will be sunk into the
most abiect poverty. Tor | would rather
endure all the misery of the situation
than risk your welt being; but | know
YOU will be happy with Mr.. Ambrose for
a husband. He is good and kind, as
we'll as very rich"
Rich in what, tather2'
The ola man started at tnSSS NoEusi
but ut length answered:
"Iu honor and manhood" Mary said
no more. "The crisis is now upon me,
continued Mr.. Meredith. ia r few
short DAYS l shall be overwhelmed with
misery il You do not rescue me. Mr..
Ambrose has asked me for your hand.
He has seen you many times and loves
"And Mr.. Ambrose makes my hand
The price of your safety2'
''No, he has not said SO; but he is
aware of my situation, and knowing
it, asks the hand of my child. 1t
seems 10 me MS if God had kept you
free TO save your old father from ruin.
What answer am l to return to Mr.. Am
broseP
"My heart was broken long ago, -
Mary answered, looking into her fath-
er's face. 81 willsmarry this man for
vour sake, but he must not expect af-
lection, for have none to give. Tell
him this that he may not be deceived
AZ will bring him here tO-m morrow eve
ming. for he is anxious that the interview
shall be over.
Nr. Meredith was relieved, the fear of
disgrace was removed from him, and he
reioiced in the prospect of prosperous
marriage for his daughter.
On the following evening Mary again
sat by the drawing room fire. She was
alone now and calm, and her face was as
rala as Partisan marble. The outer door
anened and she heard the sound OF
heavy footsteps in the hall. Once more
the image of Felix arose before her; q
- rr,;,sr r,assad ovAr har and unhii-