River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-10-01

and did it. He could talk TO her oe-
casionally; betoken a friendly interest;
show that he considered her of some
Importance in the great, busy house,
whore she was so little needed But
he knew, none better, that such things
would not go far as balm for heartache.
She was grateful; she thought kindly
of him when she thought at ALL He
priced the slight inclination of the
head, the gentle smile with which she
greeted him at table. more than he
knew. She was here for him to study;
and nothing graceful, still less pathetic,
escaped him. A tender pity often
stirred his heart as he looked.
There was one thing, certainly. that
he could do, or could attempt It
would be a sacrifice to give up his free
dom, his bachelor independence; all the
more, that he was not mt all in love.
And it was not likely that she would
care to accept; he should only have the
little modification of being refused. 1t
was bad enough to risk refusal, when
the thing sought was what one really
wanted Or say she acquiesced; it
would be only as a relief from trouble
another had caused her. 1t wasn't
flattering to ones pride to be looked at
merely as an alternative. Still, of
course, he could do it if he chose How
would She take it? Would ray of
pleasure brighten her face, or would
She simply decline, in a calm, collected
manner? Well, there was no occasion
for haste, at any rate.
! ct the die was speedily east A
| favorable moment. look of unwontcd
/ friendlnesS from Mariana something
or nothing, decided him. Having once
/ begun, he was earnest enough; no
/ listener could have suspected that he
was making a sacrifice of himself
Marian did not; assuredly. She heard
him with agitation, but with kindness
Il am 50 surprised she said. Il
never dreamed that you thought of me
/ in that way.
''But now that you know it?'
She shook her head gently.
You are good, very good, and | am
most grateful; but it cannot be-.
"Will you not tell me why?"
Her cheek flushed; she hesitated.
Because | do not care as much for
you as ought to, she said, at last
cas- much as you deserve. "
Surely Mr.. Hastings had his answer
now, had satisfied the demands Of
benevolence, and might, with clear
| conscience, retire from the field But
/ he felt strange unwillingness to do
! so.
You dislike me so much, then?" he
asked.
what question:" she said quickly.
putting out her hand to him. ''How
could YOU think me so ungrateful?'
He kept the hand thus obtained,
saying in a persuasive tone
"Do not answer me now. Wait-as
long as you Ike. A month-six
months. See if you cannot learn to
care for me. Or, are You not even
willing to try?'
II am not so selfish as that" she
replied, half smiling; but an anxious
look succeeded. 81 am afraid-Nol it
is best to decide now
You think / shall blame YOU if YOU
say no, after all? Reassure Yourself
You shall be acquitted OF all fault.
Only remember that your consent viii
make me very happy. On those terms
will you delay?"
She acquicsced. Mr.. Hastings OK
pertinent was fairly begun.
Can such attempts succeed? Are we
to believe that the sharp sting of unre-
Quilted love may pass imperceptibly
away? That the romantic passion of
youth may give place to an affection
based on gratitude. esteem. Kind feel
ing? 1t would seem so in this one
case.
Two months later all the house were
talking of the engagement. Mrs Med
dows rejoiced heartily in the good for
tune of her young friend; the others
made comments, after their kind.
still waters run Deep observed
Josephine Walton. DO YOU remem-
Der that night when she left us all, and
made such q dead set at Mr.. Hastings?
She knew what she was about, YOU
may be sure, though she is such a quiet
little thing that nobody thought any
thing of it, and by all accounts-Well,
she will have a much finer establish
ment than You can hope for, Elinor, at
least while the older Elliotts live"
y wonder if she knew he was so
well OFF, observed Elinor.
ooh, of course. Mrs. Meddows
told her. | haven't a doubt, and put
her up to it, | wish she had given me
a hint Miss Keith might not have
found it such plain sailing. She has
Unidentified herself pretty well for los
ing Godfrey, that's certain.
Such comments, had they heard
them, would scarcely have disturbed
the happiness of the betrothed, Life
had grown sweet again % Marian;
hopes and interests revived afresh.
And years, as they passed, only caused
Mr.. Hastings to felicitate himself anew
on the result of his experiment.