River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-05-28
kISMET.

taps HFOu the uOOI Oh NCE room Df0kt
the enhancing spell OF quetude that
iilled the cosy little boudoir, and
aroused Eleanor Duncan from one oil
thOse delicious reyerics into which we
are so apt to fall, on a cold winter
evening. and bury ourselves away
from things material With just the
shadow of a frown cIouding her brow,
She raised her pretty head from the
crimson velvet pillow of the lounge
and, supporting herself with her ell
bow, snc asked:
.'What is it, Mann MAJ"
Make yourself presentable, Eleanor
Darlington is in the parior awaiting
your coming"
Her lip curlde. then panied hunt
ed expression passed swiftly over her
face.
ale herci O why does he prosecute
me with his attentions? Why does he
come on this night OF al nights. when
want to Think" And she buried her
face in her hands.
care you coming, EIeanor?n
The face was raised, and wore an
expression of hcsitancy, but it was
quickly chased away BY a rcsolute
compression of the lips. and she an
swered:
No; | have no desire to"
But what shall tell Barrington?"
"Oh, tell HIM anything that 1 am
Ill, have retired. am not at home, that
am dead anything to get rid of
him.
Eleanor are you dcmcntcd? Have
YOU forgotten Your engagement
ring?"
mo. = sullenly. II remember only
too well, but tonight wish to for
get 1t y
And Barrington?'
FELL him to 90. and also that if he
is net careful viii cast his ring and
presents into the stect.
A pause ensUed, followed by the
sound of rctreating footsteps, and all
was as still rs before. On the lounge,
her trim figure the least bit huddled.
lay Eleanor. sad and fearful.
Poor Vie" She murmured, Two
years ago tonight | drove him from
.lc because | felt his superiority OF
will and mind. How ne loved me.
anj | him; but my pride! \ queen
could have been no proudcr than 1.
Naughty, ambitions. too proud TO take
advice. too weak To see my own faults.
Poor Vie" She paused, and her eyes
blaLed yicicusly. .'Sull, | was not
wholly to blame He angcred me
with bis lofty ways" lie was too fond
of giving advice. He called me u lit
tie fool, told stories of my llirtauons
among his crouics. and then advised
mo to reform. Bah! But now, # |
could only see him. ease his pain,
nurse him ii his illness, comfort him,
knecl to INN. We are strangers for
ever there is nothing left but Nom
ory, nothing bu5 the recollection of a
dream.
She arr>c, the room being trillo
cool. and threw white shall around
her shoulders in Il most becoming
manner She passed tie long mirror,
She paused To glance at the reflection.
and "a very attravtive and pleasing
picture il was. 4 pretty face. witt
soft brown eyes, and full, impulSiye
lips, while the wealth of dark brown
hair, uufcttcrcd, fell in waves upon the
white shall, contrasting well and form
ing the crowpiug beauty of the pict
are. A half smile came TO her lips.
THAT picture, she murmured; 81
could not be more like Il i | tried, ant
be loved that picture 50 well! Oh, Vic
Vie if YOU only knew.
She stood before the mirror. hel
hands clasp"d before her, her eve,
looking stcadfastly at the image in the
glass, her face grown sadder and more
reposed.
Il thought ! heard voices in Elcan
ors's room, = sand her mother to Mr.
Duncan: and. ascending the stairs, She
listened ut the door Il few moments
Hearing no sound whatever, she re
tired. wondering mt her daughters in.
axplictblc conduct
A few moments later the door of thC
room opened noiSelesSlv, and Eleanor
with the shall still about her, stole
down stairs, opening ana closing the
street door quietly rs she passed out
into the night Men watched her a,
She passed them, nearly flying through
the almost deserted thoroughfares, and
casually rcmuked that some one must
be sick aud needing the services OF {
physician
Darlington. tall, disSipated appear
inc man. with brutal east OF couute
nance and an evil eve, was coming
out OF a cafe. when he caught ;
glimpse at her face as she sped by him
For moment he stood in blank amaze
mcn, rubbing his eyes to assure him
self ihat he was not dreaming, then
with mLttercd curse. he hurried If
ter her, Lis teeth set, his eyes CLEAN
ing augrlly.
Il am So sorry that YOU cannot go
Victor he elyices ut ST. Stephen
are ALWAYS 50 grand and impressive
and you are SO fond of music anC
motherN Mrs. Cakes bent over hel
son AS he rcclincd in an invalid chair
and smoothing back his light han
kissed him as onl, a mother can.
u am sorry as well, he answered
with a grateful smile; but then it i
better that | should not go, it is 81
cold. q. it IS maddcnjng, this help
leSSucSs. this Imprisonment. | think
mother. that ii YOU leave the door ajal
can hear the music from here. Tha
will do.
WHY. that's an idea! Well, try
and content Yourself while we ar,
gone. Tor then you will be entirely
alone
Poor Vic murmered her hus
band as they left the house
II fear that the worst is not Owe
vet. He looks so wasted and frail. >
"Yes. said Mrs. Cakes, the tear
falling from her eyes, land his lines
is something that can only b
cured by Eleanor Ever since sh
threw him over he has been failing
If she knew of the ruin she Ia
wrought, the honey of her life wouI'
turn to gall.
why not tell her?" suggested Mr.
Oakcs quickly.
Never cried his wife vehemently
stopping short IN her walk, her litti
form trembling and her blue eyes flash
ing. am too proud Victor is to-
proud to humble himself before
roquet. lie did it once. and thu
blow TO his pride was only to keenl.
felt
But what shall we do with him?'
a>kek AIR Cakes, as they resumed
their walk.
..Oh. don't ask me! | am nearl.
distracted, although try to bear up
But If there is law in heaven, if Their,
= ;,,zr,,, 49, 10 Tana will r-is,