River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-04-08

itself to make saint, it is the self
abnegation of the ordinary Young
man who could bear such a
precious burden for fully two miles,
and not tighten his hold even the
smallest preceptible bit. Whether
I Ella took this fact into consideration
or not does not transpire, but when he
I laid her tenderly and almost reverent-
/ Is upon her mothers lounge little
/ later she thanked him with a look in
/ her ewes which spoke palmer than
words her deep respect for him.
Willie Gaynor is coming tomorrow.
Ella is confined to her bed. Mrs.
/ Winters feels anxious and worried.
Next morning Jane says that the hired
man is not to be found, but at the
same time declares that everything is
/ in the best of order. Mrs. Winters draws
a sigh of relief, and Ella says not hing
4 No one suggests fresh flower for the
| parlor, and there is everything but
spirit of gladness in the house.
They have to carry Ella to the parlor
/ lounge, where they prop her up with
pillows. She looks like a sad, sweet
1 picture, with her golden brown hair
floating loosely, and forming Il frame
work for the fair young face.
Al O'Clock a grinding of wheels
was heard on the gravel outside. and a
minute later Mrs. Winters was holding
out both hands to a tall. gray-haired
man -Willie's father. The greeting
over, he looked around as if expecting
To see some one else, and at last, to
everyone's surprise, asked, ''Where is
Willie?' Just what was going TO
ask you,' replied Mrs. Winters.
Il suppose the young rascal viii
want an extension of leave" continued
Mr.. Gaynor, not seeming to notice Mrs.
Winters remark, and with a sly glance
ut Ella. Ella returned his glance with
one of blank bewiderment, and while
they were all looking askance at each
other the door-bell received very
peremptory tug which nearly startled
them TO their feet.
That's his ring" said Mr. Gaynor;
'he always will turn it into fire
alarm"
Jane opened the door promptly, bur
stood rooted TO the spot in astonish-
{ hithb stS u y OuitA iliAtu oNstihtb past HtIs
and went, sans ceremony, toward the
parlor door.
Then, returning to her domain i'm a
sort of stupor which took away even
the power of thought. she sank help
! lessly into a chair. Meanwhile, the
the cause of her perpleXity was en-
deavoring to explain how his irrepressi-
BILE love of adventure prompted him to
adopt the role of tramp. and trying to
/ look as contrite rs the laugh in his
mischievous brown eyes would permit.
Il should have cautioned you against
him. Margaret, said Mr. Gaynor, try
ing TO look severe. Il might have
guessed that he would play some tricl'
on YOU. Even his own father is not
free from his Jokes. continued the old
man, trying to concentrate a ferocious
glare upon the culprit.
Mrs. Winters protested yaliantly
that ''she knew him all the time. AS
for Ella, she just flashed one reproach-
full glance at him aud then buried a
very crimson face among the pillows.
Willie tiaynor sat down beside her,
made an unsuccessful effort TO obtain
her hand, and tried TO read her face.
U WHICH y % AiOb an AtAok AsAohS Wv lliz ~
the different feelings which had been
depicted thereon the last half hour.
/ But her heart, which had been eddying
round in distress for the past month.
was fast settling down TO a sense of
rest, and n great peace was stealing
upon her. A little throb of vengeance
marred this happiness. She registered
silentand determined little vow to
have satisfaction for this joke, of which
she had clearly been the victim.
He shall never, never know that |
cared for him; he shall not think that
| fell i'm love with a tramp she
thought, with a determination which
was clearly emphasized by the firm
closing OF the small, red lips, aud her
face grew crimson at her own thoughts.
You will not send me away?" said
Willie in low tone. as he tried to take
her hand. II claim pardon on the
merits of at least one good turn.
What would have become of you if
had not been playing my role the eve
ming of your accident? Even tramps can
be useful sometimes, he added. with
mock humility.
Her color came and went beneath
his glance. She was sorely nonpulsed
--vanquishcd.
"Shall ! 90 home with father to-
morrow, Ella?" he inquired, looking
Straight into the eyes which vainly
sought to evade him.
You ought to, she replied petu-
lantly. You've lost whole month
for nothing, and scared us almost to
death into the bargain.
Il don't think it was time lost, he
answered musingly, half to himself
.'And | think l saved one little girl
from dire destruction.
What will people think?' she went
on, not deigning TO notice his last
words. "What will Jane say?' Here
a faint smile betrayed itself around the
corners of her mouth as the extreme
righteousness of the situation became
more apparent.
Young Mr.. Gaynor made desperate
effort to assume a contrite expression,
but at this juncture he laughed out
right.
AS for Jane" he answered, 81
think have a stout ally there, and am
sure that she at least will have none
the less welcome for me.
There is little more to be said. The
mischief-lov tramp had so far won
his way into all hearts at tho cottage
that he did not leave it until he carried
away the owner of the most rebellious
but withal the most loyablc one.
Judge of government by the men
it produces. Judge of a man by his