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

AN E&PElSEM ENI.
Marian sat in the extension-room,
sewing for Mrs. Meddows; the other
boarders amused themselves in the par
lors. 1t cost her nothing to withdraw
from them; she felt a lien in that cir
Gle, of which "style" was the deity.
Here the companionship, If not stimu-
lating, was at least kindly, and she
wrought with diligence, dreaming,
meanwhile. dreams, sweet or sad.
The door-bell rang, and she paused a
moment, with suspended needle, child
ing, as she did so, her own foolishness,
For weeks, now, she had looked and
listened, hoping for an arrival or let
ter, and still in vain.
Tonight her long watching was re-
warded; a card was brought in, and
her face grew radiant as she glanced
at it,
ooh, Mrs Meddows!" she exclaimed,
springing up, sit is Godfrey! He has
come home! What shall do? lean I
bear to meet him before all those peo-
ple!'
IF you would rather see him in this
room, my dear" suggested Mrs, Med
dows, doubtfully, with glance at the
loaded work table.
ooh, yes, if You will be SO kind.
Ask him in here, Bridget, said Mar
ian, Mastering to set the room in order.
Mrs. Meddows was yet more doubt
full of the expediency of the move when
Godfrey Elliott entered. The rose
wood and brocatelle of the parlors
were certainly much better suited tc
such a tall elegant young man, than
the worn carpet and sofa of the extern
sion-room.
But the two Young people took little
heed of outward surroundings; each
eagerly surveyed the others face, not
ing its changes, recalling familiar line
aments. They were of an age when
such changes can be marked with pleas
ure.
Mrs. Meadows watched the pair
and fancied she saw probable solu-
ton of Marian 5 difficulties.
Il expected to find you at your I'M
clc's. | went there almost as soon as
| landed. But Mrs. Keith told me YOU
left them some time since, said Geot
frey, presently:
'.Yes. ! have been with Mrs. Med
dows several months, replied Marian,
embarrassed.
Your aunt told me all about it, >
continued Godfrey. ''You preferred
to be Independent, she said, and she
praised you very warmly, Marian; but
not more, | am sure, than you de
served
'.She is very kind. However, | was
quite sure already that she approved
my course, - said Marian, with inward
bitterness.
And She INDUCED in brief wonder
at the ease with which people can rep
resent facts to suit their own conyen-
ience. Still, it was true enough; she
had preferred independence-under the
circumstances.
Then they talked of Marian loss:
that death which had left her orphaned
and alone Godfrey had known her
father, and could speak of him in terms
that gratitied and consoled. Seeing at
last how sad, though dear, the subject
was, he led her gently away to other
themes their past, his travels, his fu-
| ture plans,
While they spoke, a burst of music
sounded from the parlOrs; a voice CLEAR
aud sweet, filling the air with melody.
Geoil'rey paused in the midst Of a
sentence, to listen.
"Who can sing like that?" he asked.
at is a Miss Walton. Hasen't she a
superb voice? | sometimes think !
need hardly miss the opera when | can
hear her SO often. Her mother is 4
widow, and there is another daughter,
quite beautiful
"Will you go in and be introduced,
Mr.. Elliott? You will find them very
nice people to know" sad Mrs. Med
dows.
Thank YOU; not tonight another
time | shall be glad to meet them.
1t was the answer that pleased Marian
best: she wanted him all to herself this
first evening,
How one arrival can change every
thing! The realm of the clearinghouse,
which had been till now, so dull and
drear, grew suddenly cheerful to
Marian. Her days duties, with Geotf-
rey to be seen at the end Of them, lost
their wearisome monotony. Needless
pupils, discordant pianos, endless
stunning Of dismal eXercises-all
these sank to merest tribes.
She came down to breakfast, looking
so bright, that any one who cared for
her must have noticed it. But people
were occupied with their own affairs,
or, if there were any stray glances,
Josephine Walton. radient in morning
beauty, absorbed them.
Only Mr.. Hastings. the quiet person.
ace who was Marian S ujs-a-rt9. looked
up from his toast and eggs and re-
marked the new brightness of her face.
1t was becoming, he thought. 1t had
grown a habit Of his to notice, in his
silent fashion, her aspect day by day;
each little characteristic movement or
expression was familiar TO him. They
rarely exchanged word but this morn
ing, meeting her IN the hall, he spoke.
You look as if you had heard good
news, he remarked.
She was somewhat surprised, but re-
sponded frankly
"Do | betray myself so soon? Yes;
it is very good news to me. An old
friend has come home stay. | hope. "
Indeed Is IL any one l am likely
to meet?" he asked.
"Quite likely, if you are here even
ings l shall be glad to have you know
him.
Mr.. Hastings bowed, and passed on.
Him 1t was man. then, What
Of that? No concern OF his. certainly;
vet he was conscious of feeling not
quite pleased He halt-smled, detect
ing the feeling.
Reasonable! Did | expect her TO
sit there the rest Of her life. that might
study her face at will? 1t IS just posi-
bic she may have other plans' he
thought.
Marian felt liulepardonable pride
in presenting Godfrey TO the circle IN
the parlors. ne was so superior, she
considered, to any gentleman the wal
tons knew Having introduced him,
and exchanged few social common
places with tho yo4ng ladies. she with
drew, as it were, to contemplate the
scene apart, and toobserye the impress
sion made by her hero.
1t was quite equal TO her wishes. a
handsome Young man. fresh from trav-