River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-02-05

him all her mind. Part of it ran thus:
| II wish to be free-and to be mistress
of such a house as yours. / thought
bow surprised everybody would be, and
what little triumph it would be for
me. But-when / remembered how
good and honorable you were-though
l tried to say yes from mercenary mo-
tives, could not. And now l am glad
aud thankful that my better self con-
quered. The simple truth Is that |
had no thought of loving you; for
never dreamed, till received your let
ter yesterday, that you would care for
me. thank-I respect honor you,
but this would not be enough to make
me the good, and loving wife you de-
serve"
1t was No, then.
Mr.. Stapleton gave another long sigh
rose from the chair, thrust the letter
into his breast pocket and left the
room.
And then taking his hat and UNI
brella, but forgetting his overcoat, he
went out in the rain.
In the course of an hour or so he re-
turned, soaking wet through, but far
more cheerful and hopeful than when
he had set out.
She is worth having" he said to
himself, as he closed the hall door be-
hind him, and was preceding to the
study. II will not give her up yet,
but must have patience; there is moth
ing like it. will wait year and see
how she treats me. But, dear mel"
suddenly observing how the rain was
dripping from his drenched garments to
the floor, ~ had no idea it was so wet"
and he turned again and went in the
direction of the kitchen.
CHAPTER u.-YEs.
Autumn gave place to winter. And
a very long, dreary winter it was, Miss
Berry thought. However, it passed
away at last, and the spring came again;
but she even thought the spring dreary
also. The flowers seemed so long com
ing out, the clouds were so many, the
sunbeams so few.
At length the summer was advanc-
ing.
1t was warm, sunshiny afternoon,
and Mrs Mountebank and her compan.
ion sat in a neat, prim little parlor sew
ing, the latter lady moving her fingers
rather istlessly. Neither had spoken
for perhaps an hour, when Mrs. Noun.
tebank said suddenly, almost sharply
Are you not feeling well, Miss Ber-
ry?"
Eyes thank you, madam. returned
Adelaide, the color mounting in an in
slant into her dark cheeks.
Then why do you not speak occa.
sionally? Ic-1 get more and more
silent ever day, l do believe! And
you are as pale, and dull, and dismal
looking as it is possible for person tc
be, l should think! !"
Miss Berry was moving her needle
theoretically enough now. There was
moments silence, then she rejoined,
in resolute but quiet voice
II have no doubt that | am all you
say. madam, and worse! | dc
not deserve any further kindness or
forbearance from you, for you have
shown me both and / might have
been received into far less happy
home than this. / have long wished
to speak, but had not the courage. |
had better leave you, if you please, a
month from this. In strange place,
with only strange faces around me, ]
may have the good sense to be more con-
tented. Forgive me- am"
But here Miss Berry's work fell on
her lap, and she covered her face with
her hands and astonished Mrs. Mounte-
bank thought that she heard sob.
"My dear Miss Berry," in tone Of
mingled concern and impotence, "what
can possibly he the matter with you?
Leave me What do you mean? l don't
want you to leave me and what is more.
/ shall not take you notice And so ]
tell youl Perhaps the hot weather has
tried YOU Put on your bonnet and go
out for quiet stroll under the trees.
That will do you good, l dare say; and
don't let me hear any more nonsense
about leaying!"
And Miss Berry dried her tears, ut
tered her thanks, and did as she was bid
And, ten minutes later, she was
slowly walking up and down shady
field path. while hoary old oaks
waved their green branches over hel
head, and whispered their sweet "leal
music" in her ear, and clouds OF
bluebells" stretched away under the
hedgerows. and dogrose and bramble
were Haunting their long streamers
against the clear sky. And bees were
humming and grasshoppers chirping,
and butterflies fitting hither and
thither. And altogether made up
happy living picture of agolden summer
day.
But Miss Berry herself was the CEN
ter figure in the picture, Of course;
and she certainly did not look happy.
She had long ago discovered that she
had made great mistake last autumn.
If she had been honest, she had also
been hasty; and too great caution, too
much rashness, both alike are harm
full" Honor and respect" for Mr..
Stapleton had by this time developed
into something far deeper and strong er;
but, sad to say, though she not unfre-
auently met that gentleman at the vi
Garage, or in the village, he seemed en-
tirely to have forgotten the past, and
simply treated her as the most common
place acquaintance might have done
But now she paused in her walk and
listened. What did that sound of rush
ing and running mean? Were all the
cows in the adjoining pasture setting
out ON race?-or what? Why it was
Farmer Norths bull-the terror of the
village! And after Whom was it rush
ing? But he (the bull could not leap
the stile, and
ooh it is Mr.. Stapleton!" Adelaide
exclaimed, aloud, in distress; and at
the same moment the gentleman
leaped the stlle, and, only a
little ont of breath apparently, was
proceeding, without much discompos-
ure, on his way, when trembling,
shaking voice said:
ooh! Are you hurt"
Mr.. Stapleton turned with great
start, and there, with flushed face and
frightened eyes, stood Miss Berry.
mo, "he slowly answered adding then,
land if had been, what would it have
signifed?"
The only answer was deeper flush.
Would you have cared?" coming
nearer
A low eyes"
"Then you must think little more OF
me than you did last autumn ?"
The question had to be repeated, and
then came a still lower Yes.
Mr. Stapleton heard the bull below
ing in disappointed rage on the other
side of the stile, and in his heart he
thanked him.
"Then-if I once more beg of you to
become my wife-for, believe me, / have
never forgotten you for day-no, nor