River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-11-05

acJeu, anu tnaI lnt names OllNer OdIucS
and Kitty Delane rang together like a
chime of bells!'
Mrs. Field raised her eyebrows
Slightly and then said,-
''Well?'
well, won't stand it!'' declared
the irate son. "She's the prettiest girl
about here, and she's my style and l
mean to marry her. I'll ask her to-
morrow, and settle the matter"
"Shall tell you what would happen
ifyou did, dear?"
"What?'
''She would refuse you
"Refuse me!-George laughed in
credulously- she's not such foo'!'
BE guided by me, George; let me
act for you. | consider that Oliver
James has acted treacherously in
making love to the girl he must know
you wish to marry. He shall under
stand that he has stepped into your
place and hindered your engagement
| advise YOU to behave tenderly to
Kitty, but show her that you consider
yourself wronged by her. On no
account go further. Leave the rest to
me.
George grumbled and growled, but
ended by giving in to his mother 5
Judgment.
A day or two later Oliver James
called on Mrs. Field and found her
alone at home. TO comprehend what
followed it must be borne in mind that
Mrs. Field was very clever at misrep-
resentation, and Oliver was abnor-
mally sensitive.
This is very nice of you, said Mrs.
Field smiling up at her visitor. do
you know you are one of the few young
men in Haverston who ever take the
trouble of calling on their friends?"
Il do it fol my own pleasure, re-
turned Oliver, with equal politeness;
but to-day l have come with a pur-
pose. | am leaving HaverstOn and
this is a farewell visit
"Why, why?" asked Mrs. Field, who
hoped that Kitty had refused him.
"The why l prefer to keep a secret.
| shall be gone about four mounths.
Then you will not return here?'
"Oh, | hope so, replied Oliver, with
a sudden sweet smile
Mrs Fields hopes were dashed.
She feared he had already spoken to
Kitty.
MIR. James, > she began, and then
hesitated, looking up at him wistfully.
Yes. Mrs. Field.
ut is very difficult for me to go on
but this matter is of such Importance to
my son that at the risk Of offending
You | must speak.
Oliver regarded her little curiously
and inclined his head.
George is so wretched. All his life
he worshipped one girl, and up to a
month or two ago she evidently re-
turned his love, yet since your coming
she has thrown principle to the winds
and sighted him to amuse herself with
YOU
Oliver at silent, resting his arm on
his knee and shading his face with his
hand, and Mrs. Field went on.
George little thought that when he
suggested your father taking The Pop
lars he was introducing rival to him
self, and now heis almost heartbrOken.
He bears it bravely, but | know how
terribly he suffers.
All of tbs statement was false, but
Oliver was influenced by it and the
blood mounted to his face. Had Kitty
tlirted to the alleged extent?
ut would be better for my poor
boy" said Mrs Field, ''if Kitty would
show him that she has ceased to care
for him; but DIV and then there is a re-
turn of her old manner which makes
him hope she is coquetting with you.
And
Oliver rose suddenly. His fair young
face looked ten years older, but his
words were prompted BY most I'M
happy impulse of impetuous youthful
ness.
You have said quite enough. Mrs.
Field" he exclaimed holly. Il believe
in Miss Delane, and regard all you
have said as the result of your be-
ing mislnformed; but | will not have it
supposed that | supplanted your son. |
shall leave without seeing heragain. II
she cares for George, let her marry him;
if not. let her wait for me.
Mrs. Field triumphed inwardly, but
she was not satisfied.
"One lnomentiH she said haughtily.
You have accused me of telling a
falSehood, and | excuse you. but | re-
quire your word of honor that you will
not coilnunic ate with Miss Delane for
the next four months
She shall nGt hear 4 word of me or
from me till | return And Herewith
he strobe hastily out of the room.
He did not doubt Kitty for moment,
and when il was too late it flashed upon
him what his promise lnvolved-she
would of necessity think him false, and
for four months he was bound not to
clear himself; if she cared for him she
would be the chief sufferer by his
silence.
Meanwhile, all Haverston heard with
openly expressed surprise of his depart
IRE, and the gossip about it was not
lessened when the people found that
his parents alone knew where he bad
gone, Soon after Gen. James and his
wife returned to town. Then the re-
port spread that Oliver had got into
mischief and was escaping unpleasant
consequences explanation to which
Mrs. Field gave great credence; but her
efforts to injure Oliver were entirely
wasted, for Kitty shrank more than
ever from her sons hated attentions.
and at length even his dense brain was
enlightened as to her opinion of him.
In high disgust, he Immediately en-
gagged himself to a silly girl who pos
seSsed the cardinal virtue OF implicit be-
lief in George Field.
Kitty's power of self control was
sorely tried. When first she heard of
] divers departure she fled to Grace
| Hallam and broke down utterly in her
arms. But the chief strength of shy
| natures. such as hers. lies in suffering