River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-23
John, don believe that people nova
] - y l. :. 4.

''Of course she did, said Single
mann little Grossly. land equally of
course | followed her at distance.
and saw where she lived She walked
straight on and did not seem bit
afraid. She seemed To set her lips
closely together, drew her cloak
around her and walked swiftly to her
destination. Several times determined
To speak to her. but had neither courage
nor excuse. Denmark, said /. when
reached my room, wake up, and |
shook
"Singlcmann. said |. Il am not De
mark. There is no use in shaking
me.
Il beg your pardon" continued
Singlemann releasing his grip ON my
shoulder.
Il don't think you care much about
what ! am saying, though What
Interest can you have
Now don't fly off on tangent in
that manner. OF course ! want to know
how it turned ont, What did You say
to Demark?''
Nothing that night You can't
waken Denmark when he once gets to
sleep. Why, one time when we were
boarding down on jefferson Avenue a
fire broke out about two o clock in the
morning and -"
well, but about this girl?
20, yes: next morning unfolded my
plan to Denmark. 1t was the day be-
fore Christmas told him all about
my discovery OF where she was en-
ployed. Now" said /, "she's anxious
to get the accounts Strengthened out
before the end of the year.
:. Evidently says Denmark.
:. We'll, very likely she'll be there
late tonight; now Wen follow her
You on the opposite side of the street
and | on the same side of the
street she Is, and you cross over and
speak to her and try to make her take
your arm, then she'll scream aud I'll
rush up and rescue her, and of course.
see her home and get acquainted
Rather an ancient device" re-
marked
Perhaps it is now, said Singleman
in an irritated manner. young men
of the present day are up to almost any
thing, but ! never heard of it before: of
course, il was silly guess | know
that without being told of il. but now
adays people think
mo, they don't, Singlemunn; 90 on
with what you were saving. Denmark
consented of course?'
No, he didn't; that is, not at first.
He got indignant at having all the dis
grace of the operation and none of the
pleasure, but | explained to him that he
didn't care cent for the girl, while
was madly in love with her, and con-
juring him by all the ties of friendship,
he at last reluctantly consented. You
see, Denmark never cared ANYTHING
about girls, or such as that; he was all
business. | have often said to him.
jokingly, of course, that | believed that
if -"
"Singlemann-go Oh with that dia-
bolical plot of yours, and never mind
Denmark. know him well enough"
'Of course you do Well. all the
way down to the store where she
worked, Denmark was saying what a
mean thing it was for two young men
to conSpire to brighten the life out of Il
girl on the dark streets of city We
got there ut last, and she was at her
desk. All! John, when | picture how
she stood there-but that's no matter
| thought SIZE wo Id never come out
ii seemed ages. | never could have
stood it, only it kept all my attention
getting Denmark to stick to his promise,
for he wanted to back out now that we
were at the spot You know Denmark
is the very soul of honor Why, when
Beat q Embezzle failed, you know, we
needn't have paid cent, for they held
no.
''Singlemann, do You remember that
| know the whole particulars of that
failure?"
Certainly That's fact, for
got that. Well, Denmark wanted to 90
home again, and begged me to release
him from his promise, but Il wouldn't
and he stuck to his contract like man
he always docs, you know. Wen,
jus; as the city hall bell struck
eleven-"
20, oh! Singlemann-keep straight
now. Why, man, the city hall was not
built then.
That sol am telling straight
story for all that slip. Some bell
struck eleven. | had my face pressed
close against the pane. but where she
could not see me, and as the hour was
tolled she shut up the heavy ledger with
a bang that made me start, and / heard
her say. Only an hour TO Christmas.
and she smiled John, she looked di-
vinely-like an angel, only angels don't
keep books, excepting the Recording
Angel. But just then Denmark began
begging off again. She came out, and
as before walked rapidly away.
Now | whispered to Denmark.
remember Your promise.
lie crossed the street without
word. and followed the girl. Denmark
acted his part like man, or Il william.
rather. He crossed back again, and
coming up to her, said:
- Madam, allow me to see YOU
nome. and offered his arm.
MY heart beat wildly. but pre-
pared for a rush on Denmark
"She didn't scream she hurriedly
looked up aud down the road and saw
apparently she was alone with this
man. could see j., the light of the
lamp that her face was
deadly pale. but in calm voice (the
sweetest voice ever hearCD she said:
.You may walk beside me if YOU
Will
Denmark would rather have taken my
knock-down than that. and looked cN-
cccdingly sheepish as he walked along
with her. and | followed behind not
knowing what to do, as that was to-
tally unexpected turn in the affair.
Thus did the strange trio proceed
bout a quarter of a mile, when III
denly policeman anG a lantern loom
up from a doorway he was examining.
Like an arrow she sprang from Denmark :
side and grasped the astonished po-
liceman by the arm with both hands.
Sir. ,ir.' she cried row in the Wild
est excitement. which showed how
pentup her fear had been before. THAT
man has insulted me. when he thought
no one was near-a rest him, and her
eyes fairly blazed with scorn a. she
pointed nj Denmark.
Madame. said my unfortunate
friend IF Vou-'