River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-01-28

was stated the rumOr that Florence $
betrothed Was living rather a fast and
dissipated life, aud that he had openly
boosted 10 his bosn companions that
he was going to we'd an Illinois heiress.
to replenish his somewhat depleted
Golfers.
This gave Joe hint, and he at once
set about investigating the matter, and
found that the Tumor was true in all
particulars. Theu, like the honest.
straightforward fellow he is, he went
to Florence and laid the case before
her.
Indignation would hardly express
her feelings at that time.
. 80 this is your boosted love for mel
Rolling like a sweet morsel under your
tongue some base ISLANDERS about the
man l have promised 10 marrgi And
have you the supreme eIfrontery TO re-
tail them 10 me2 Leave my presence
At once, and never dare address me
againI
O"'Forgive me, dear Florence, said
Joe. humbly. 1t was only for your
own happiness that | acted. | should
20 mad if !, OF We're unhappy, and YOU
could not be otherwise. yoked to that
mercenary wretch.
"'Will yOu leave NEE she exclaimed,
passionately.
Yes, | so. But look over these
proofs IN regard TO the matters Of which
l have informed you, he said.
''She took The papers and flung them
from her, and as soon as she was alone,
threw herself on q sofa and burst into a
passion Of tears. But as she became
caimer, reyuIsi0n OF feeling took
place. There was a decidedly tender
place in her heart for faithful Joe. not
withstanding her fancy had been cap
tured by the fine personal appearance
aud polished manners of her Ohio lover.
She looked over the papers which Joe
had left, and 4 resolution came to her
at once 10 Try whether her lover were
really more infatuated with her fortune
than with herself.
This was made easy OF accomplish
ment through a most sorrowful and
agOnZing circumstance. Her aged
father, who had been ailing for some
time. sickened and died and after his
death Is was found that his affairs We're
in great confusion. Then. through her
lawyer, IL was given out that her for
tune, which had been inherited from
deceased relative, had gone down with
the rest.
In the meantime Joe had kept aloof
until attllcuon had visited her; then he
went to the be-eaved girl, and bv his
quiet sympathy and solicitude did much
TO mitigate her suffering After the last
sad rites had been performed over her
father he ceased his visits. and then il
was that she missed his kind face and
sympathetic manner and voice more
than ever before.
The report Of the loss of her fortune
soon reached her Ohio lover, rs it was
intended it should, aud no doubt proved
a great shock to him. lie would not
take indirect testimony. however, and
visited R with no other reason. il
seemed, than 10 find out its truth or
falsity. He had one interview with his
betrothed. and then went back to his
home. What that interview was no
one outside knows, bat ii seems TO have
been decisive.
Then Florence began to bcstow her
thoughts on Joe. She thought of his
uniform devotion and tenderness under
all circumstances, and she began to long
TO see him. But Joe did not appear.
Then she took the matter in her own
hands, and wrote him q note stating
that she wanted to see him.
To this Joe promptly responded and
that evening found him at the Fielding
cottage. with hope in his heart, but a
subdUed air.
- have sent for you, joe sa' Flor
ence, after an embarrassing .ence, to
thank You for your kindness during my
great alllicti0n.
''And tears Wclled up into her beauti-
ful eyes
".You know, dear Florence, that
what little [ have done and can dois so
little in proportion to what | would do.
that no thanks are due me. Oh. that |
could shield YOU from every sorrow and
pain 1t makes me happy TO servo you,
and il you could only respond to the
great love Of M heart. / would be the
happiest man on earth. But I suppose
that cannot be, sadly.
after pause of 8 few moments,
Florence said. softly.-
"a Joe. | have learned something
within the past few weeks.
And what is that's? bo said, while
a glimmcr Of hope arose in his heart
That the disinterested, true love
of an honest man is the greatest boon
a woman can gain, said She, blushiBg
slightly.
''Ah. Florence it makes a great diff
ference who lie object is. My love for
you is honest and pure. but it profits
me not if your heart is not mine
= But, Joe. have also learned that
il is this time blu>hiug violently.
"'G0d bless YOU. my darling!' he
cried, as he gathered her in his arms .
and showeTed kisses on her Inns.
"'Thcre, that will do for the first /
instalment, she said ooyly, as she re- +
leased herself from his cliuging arms. I
But why liuger on q scene from +
which even the man IN the moon .
yelled his face with fcecy clouds?' .
said Frank, with a sigh
Did Joe know that she had not lost .
her fOrtune?' asked Clare.
D"Not until that night But it made
not particle of difference TO him.
And SO they win marry and ever
after live happily?"
Yes, just as soon as her period Of 4
mourning is over.
Florence has never regretted the lit /
tie RISE by which she found out the
true gold and was able 10 reject the /
dross. and to-day is happy in the love
of tender husband and sweet chill 4
dren.