River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-09-09
HER COMPANION.

Il shall 20 to the country well
armed for conquest. that's certain,
laughed Lou Harding. q rich young
widow. tossing pile Of dainty laees
iato the lap Of her maid companion
with the information to .'hurry up and
get those fuences made rs soon a,
possible"
I've learned that Hugh Mansfield is
TO spend part OF the summer here. she
went on, turning again TO the friend
who had run in 10 discuss with heI
their plans for the season, land you
know. Fannie, what magnificent
catch Leis. SO | warn you in time that
We shall be deadly rivals. for of course
You viii Try a hard a any Of rs to
,acd the big fish.
20, | yield to the inevitable at the
very outset, returned Fanny Reming-
ION, ban.eringly; FOR what earthly
chance will my poor beauty have
against your gold? But what will
Miss Weir be doing in the meantime
while all the rest of rs are quarreling
over the great price, she added
turning. with one Of her charming
smiles. to Mrs Harding's companion
-, shall be happy enough. never
fear. said the latter returning the
smile with one equally as bright over
her lapful Of laccs. Il shall not be
burdeuyd with society cares and con
quests, you know, 50 when Mrs. Hard
iag doesn't need me | shall lie out
gathering Wild flowers and exploring
nature, 5 beauties.
Bravo" cried Miss Remington gay
III. while Mrs. Harding merely arched
her black brows and shrugged her elo-
giant shoulders, as if the likes or dis
likes Of her paid companion We're
several degrees beReath her notice.
When the season was fairly in
augurated il found the young widow
and her party delightfully."- established
I'D one OF the quietest of the fashion
able wateTing-places.
Ii is doubtful if Mrs Harding would
have chosen ii As the favored spot
wherein ID display her rayishing new
toilets hal il not been for Hugh Mans
field presence there. For beneath ner
light tests upon the subject was firm,
determined purpose to win the hand
some young millionaire IN the face OF
al possible rivalry.
Aud soon it began to look rs if she
had not made vain boast. Lou
Harding. If not beauty. was quite
pretty enough to turn a young man 5
head. and her blsck eyes, fine figure,
and coqUettish airs We're really bewil-
dering in the array Of charming gowns
and exquisite ball dresses that displayed
them 80 the best advantage.
Aud so Hugh Mansfield evidently
thought. At least he paid her many
iiatterng attentions. and the pretty
widow heart beat high with hope.
Didn't | tell you meant 70 win the
great prizc2'' she re;ortcd with i
triumphant snap in her black ewes. IS
Fannie in mock Indignation. bantered
her upon getting the lions share Of
the Young millionaire attentions.
I'D advise You not TO count your
chickens. etc. Lou. You know the
oil provcrb. rctorted Fannie, a
wicked sparkle in her pleasant brown
ewes. Nov. Miss Leslie here has
never q word to say on the subject,
vet il wouldn'. surprise me at all if the
biz lisa were TO find himself IN her
net. despite all the rich widows and
manageable girls who are just dying
20 capture him.
s.1ffS- Rpuainrtortt'f
Were was a thrill Of indignant sur
n the clear. sweet tones. as Les
With an abrupt. startled move
~ e., her head from the book
-, - >ading, paying little at
she itad bcen y *.Eeufiri chat That had
teutiou to the con-. - ~, -, -
been going on, a us, : = 49, =
her presence. .s,.s, ,,i,,t
For il seemed 10 bea car d'ai -. 49, =
in the rich Young widows tba,.
treat her hired dependents as IA
were mere sticks or stones.
Fannie laughed meTrily in answer.
while Mrs. Harding shot a look 1t the
lovely companion from her bright
black eycs-an insolent look of min
rled amusement and disdain-
What an idea, You do take mp
with such ridiculous notions. Fannie,
She remarked with her ever ready
shru. and short, derisive laugh that
was meant - crush in the bud any
similar motions that might possibly
exist in Leslie's mind.
The girl. however, did not deign to
notice the intended SUR. Size simply
said. with an appealing glance that
went straight to Fanuie's heart:
II trust YOU viii leave my name out
Of such discussions hereafter, Miss
Remington.
Aud then. in her proud, quiet way
she rose and left the room with an air
Of graceful! dignity that : queen m.ght
have envied.
Ten minutes later. with her large
white SwiSs-cOvcred hat shading the
flushed cheeks. and her book in her
hand. she was pacing slowly up and
down tie beach.
Calmly - she had borne it that sub
tie, barbed thrust Of Mrs. Harding :
had gone straight to its marx. Ii had
Stung her TO the very soul. Ii came
home now to her for the first time with
81 thrill Of bitter shame how completely
Hugh Mansfield realized her perfect
idea Of manhood and how often his
image had of late been part of heI
sweetest day dreams.
Several times ia The first two OF
three weeks following their arriya
they had met by chance-once during
one Of LeSlie'S early morning strolls
when the dew was vet glistenlng II
the hearts Of the wild flowers she wa'
gathering and the wood was rlnging
with the thrill OF a thousand fiutterlng
silver-throated birds.
The Young mans quick. firm step
Is he came striding down the woodland
path. switching the dew OF the grass
with his light cane as he walked, start
/ led her 30 that she let fall the hatful o
June roses she had gathered, and the
Law scattered on the dewy grass direct
+ " in his path
/ With a graceful apology he stoope'
/ and assisted her in gathering up he
+ fallen treasures; then when he had seel
the last velyety pink blossom safely re
/ placed in the determined straw hal
be had gone on his way with her fev
:. 70dest works of thanks, uttered in
"a. zee maryelously low and sweet, ling
erin pleasantly IN his ears.
Les lie did not dream what 4 Lowell
nicfure she had made that morning j
ne ewes Of the Young millionaire,
staining there in the tender light tbs
w. sim half shadow under the leaf
bo-sghs. her soft white gown prettil
1 5s5i5iur 4 little and graceful form. tn,