River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-07-02
PiULi'S ROMANCE.

Two gentlemen were seated in the
little amber and-blue reception-room
awaiting Miss Pearl Dupont's coming
one a blonde, faultlcssly attired man Of
the world, the other dark, withal trihe
older, less handsome perhaps, but with
a truer character written on every
feature
I really believe that little Paula
grows pret.ier every day" said Roy
Marchmont- Why, she is a positive
little beauty, although too charming
For her position, i" interrupted Ralph
Winston, quietly.
'Pshaw, don't be a prig, Winston.
Why should not waiting maid be
pretty as well as any one else?"
because their beauty too often
proves a ban.
His tone seemed 70 signify more than
the mere words implied, and Roy
Marclnnont's face flushed triHe.
What DO you meIn4" ne demanded.
Just What / said, generally speaking;
but IN this ease, Narchmont, something
more Paula Ware is pretty, but you
know as well as l do that you care
nothing for her beyond"
You are wrong. l like the girl ex-
c'edingly we'll"
Would You marry her"
MarcImout started. surprise, CON
sternatiou, hautcUr, all depicted on his
handsome face then he laughed lightly.
Winston, are You jesting?"
No | am not"
Then YOU are mad. | marry a wait
ing maid. an ignorant, untutored girl!
/ marry Paula Ware! What induced
you to put that query?"
To test yoH. Mirchmont, that's all.
You have sought this girls society, won
her favor by hattery and smooth words
and meaningless attentions, the worth
lessness of which She cannot understand;
Won defend your cause when | would
abludge lightly, express freely your adj
miration and. shall l say fancy? and
then, in the next breath, scOrn and ridi-
Guile her 1t is not manly part,
Marchnont? =
You are eloquent" snoered the 9th
er. Servants are generally capable of
taking care of their own interests"
Paula Ware is not like the other
girls Of her position. If she commits
an error it is because Of her ignorance;
if she encourages folly 1t Is because she
does not understand. l am heartily
sorry for her"
1t was at this iuncture that Pearl Du-
points loneliness dissipated all gloom
Ter thoughts from the minds of her visit
ors. ..and tor while Paula Ware was for
gotten. But an hour later, on their
way out they met her in the wide,
lighted hall
1t was not an accidental meeting, as
Ralph Winston knew. for the waiting
mards brown ewes and those of his
friend met with a sort of mutual under
standing.
Ralph had been making several OBJ
servaliuns lately. These meetings with
Paula Ware grew more frequent as time
went oh; her brown hair with its gold
en- CLEANS was worn no longer In the old
plain way but clipped, and waved over
her forehead. and her dark, SIM lie at
tire frightened 10y cluster Of artificial
flowers or a knot of gay ribbon.
She was a little, slim creature, with
In oval. childish face. brilliant color
ing, and great. dark, lustrOus eyes,
touching with their innocent, appeal
ing expression that seemed to solicit
sympathy and love.
RuIph'S face unconscIOuslv took on q
stern look as he watched her, and
Paula. seeing this in one swift glance,
seemed to shrink from him involunta
rily as though in fear
Roy Marchmont had paused to ex-
change few words, and ere he left had
taken the pale rosebud from his coat
and laid it among the brown brajds.
Paulu's ewes glistened with pleasure.
Are You so fond Of flowers" he
asked
oh. yes, | love them dearly" she
said III her sweet, plalntlye voice.
They are like living things to me.
And the bright face dropped sadly.
Il will send YOU some, since they
please you said Roy carelesslv; but
lie SMILED down into the grateful face
uprajsed TO his aud there was that in
his glance that such men as Roy March
mont can assume to give their liShtest
words the deepest Significance.
Marchmout. said Ralph, when they
were alone together, are You not going
tee far
"nau't let my affairs trouble You,
wa, tac light answer. and that was the
last time the subject ever came between
them }ef discussion.
Eay Marchmont had suite of rooms
at ana ma town hotel, aud it was there
that fsjHh sought him ON the morrow.
va.,1 ] i
decided to gotu the clubhouse, and
seated at his desk, to pen a few lines to
his friend, requesting him to JOIN him
there. he drew i note from his pocket
and read it over tossing it aside with a
shrug Of his shoulders.
side hv side it lay with the newly
written missiye. and, with his usual
oareIessaess. it was the latter that Rov's
white hands tore into strips to consIgn
to the waste basket, and the other,
carefully sealed was deliveredto Kalph.
He read il over with a look of wonder
on his dark face; again. and sudden
light seemed to dawn upon hum.
Il was that evening that he called
again at the Dupont mansion.
Miss Pearl" he said, you told me
last evening you were going on a
Southern tour. Do you start soon ?"
Next week, Mr. Winston"
DO YOU intend to dismiss any of
your servants? A friend of mine has
lost her maid lately. and Is anxious to
have one who Is competent to take
her place. She mentioned the subject to
me. and | thought OF your departure
and"
Ralph paused; it seemed rather a
singular errand, and more embarrass-