River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-02-05
SECOlD THOUGHTS.
A tory in Thres Chapters.


laide Berry GROSSLY to herself, as she
stood before the glass, hurriedly tying
on her plain dark bonnet
And yet, after all, suppose it must be
Yes" Most people would not be able
to see why should hesitate for mo-
ment."
But Miss Berry frowned more GROSSLY
than before as she said this; and then,
having drawn ON her gloves, she forgot
that she had been in a hurry,
and stood still for a minute
by the dressing table to think.
The truth was, that the worse part of
her nature was trying hard to con-
quer the better; consequently she was
feeling by no means happy or at her
ease.
Words came to her, which she had
read to Mrs. Mountebank only that
morning "No man is bound to be rich
or great; no, nor to be wise; but every
man is bound to be honest"
"And L am honest" she said to her
self in a low, quiet tone. "Who dares
to say that l am not ?"
She was young woman of seven
or eight and twenty, dark complex
loned and rather sharp featured
fairly good looking, with black eyes
and shining black hair-very nicely
yet, at the same time. very plainly ar
ranged; for Mrs. Mountebank, with
whom she lived as companion, would
have found fault at once if the slightest
sign of curl or braid had appeared,
even on on afternoon like the present,
when the two were going out together
to drink tea at the vicarage.
MISS Berry, called q somewhat ir-
ritable voice now. II hope you have
nearly finished your dressing! have
been ready these five minutes
And Adelaide hurried out, thinking
to herself:
~ should be foolish indeed i'll said
NO am getting more and more tir-
ed every day Of this kind of life; and
| yet"
But now she had reached the hall,
and at the open door stood Mrs. Noun
tebank-a little old lady, with pale
face and white curls, and robed in rust
/ ling black silk, over which white shawl
with lavender border showed to advan-
tage.
| The two were soon in the lane; and
there only few hundred yards distant,
was the vicarage-a little, brewn, old
fashioned building, almost hidden by
/ trees.
And very near it was another house,
also partially hidden by trees q larger
and certainly far handsomer house, with
an imposing white front. More than
once Adelaide glanced in its direction,
but Mrs. Mountebank did not observe
her.
i The sky was dull, the air was chill,
but the ground was dry and both ladies'
felt that the short walk was refreshing
and cheering them. But they spoke
scarcely word as they went; they saw
so much of each other that they really
had very little to say.
They arrived at the vicarage. and were
presently seated at the table in the
ing talked to by the kind but absent
minded vicar occasionally; and by his
busy, happy little wife continually.
And now Miss Berry felt that she
might consider herself relieved for a
time from her duties as companion,
Mrs Mountebank, being an old in
habitant of the village, would find
enough to talk about-with Mrs. Leigh
for some time; and very possibly
would even forget her companions
presence.
As Adelaide (even more silent than
usual this evening, Mrs. Leigh thought
herr slipped her tea very leisurely and
composedly to all appearance, the door
was thrown open and Mr.. Stapleton
announced tall, thin gentleman, with
n face as dreamy and gentle as the vic
ars own. And Adelaide started visi
bly, and split few drops of tea upon
the pretty, bright table cover. But no
one observed her, for all were busy in
welcoming the newcomer, who was a
person of no small Importance in the
village, being both rich and benevolent.
He was also unmarried, and, as far as
was known, disengaged.
As he went round shaking hands the
gentleman was, in a slow, kindly voice,
making his excuses for being late. But
no one appeared especially to regard
them; the wonder would have been had
he been in time, for, as every one who
knew him was aware, he was punctual
only in being unpunctual.
Il am afraid entirely lost myself in
L IL I rz1 r.
day." he said. az am very much
ashamed to own it; but it is better to
tell the truth at once"
Adelaide did not feel pleased with
this.
Complimentary to mel" she was
thinking. HE knew | should be here.
However, everybody knows that he is
always late. And, besides,
what can it signify to me? l have quite
made up my mind now; and / shall not
say yes! !"
No one imagined for moment that
Mr.. Stapleton had ever given n thought
to Miss Berry; therefore Mrs. Leigh
was not careful that he should have an
opportunity of conversing with her as
she otherwise would have been. And
Mr.. Stapleton did not feel inclined to
make his opportunity. His time would
come. Andhe engaged himself in
conversation with the vicar, for the
most part, and appeared quite content.
And Miss Berry sat holding wool for
Mrs. Mountebank to wind--or looking
through collection of photographs with
Mrs. Leigh thinking her own thoughts
the while; and, in way, also she was
content.
But the hours passed quickly away,
and the evening seemed soon over; and
bonnets were once more donned, and
the two ladies were returning. And
Mr.. Stapleton had volunteered his SER
vices as escort. to Mrs. Mountebank's
evident qualification.
And on the way he contrived to find
an opportunity to whisper grayely
enough:
as it: Yes or No, Miss Berry,"
And Miss Berry whispered hurriedly
return, "I'll write"
CHAPTER U.-No.
And she did write.
And there sat Mr.. Stapleton, the
owner and occupier of the white house
among the trees, on dismal rainy day,
in his little dark, dull, dusty study,
whose window was almost overgrown
by now fast whitening creeper-read-
ing her letter.
He sighed as he finished it and laid
it upon the table before him. And
then, rubbing his hands. for they were
cold. he cast a foriorn glance at the
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