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

/ blushing, dew-wet roses.
Later. only few days ago, had come
formal introduction given BY Mrs.
Harding, aud most reluctantly as Les
lie clearly OWNED by the cold hard
I glitter of the widows black eyes, and
the slight. but scornful emphasis with
which she uttered the explanatory
words "my companion, carefully add
ed after Leslie name.
An amused smile was Hugh Mans
fields only recognition of the little
trick. and there was n light Ia his
/ handsome dark eyes as he took her
! hand that made Leslie's heart uncon-
ciously beat quicker.
After that in proud graceful little
way of her own she quietly avoided
him. With all her dreams-and Leslie
was something Of a dreamer-sh was
not romantic enough 10 fancy that he,
the lionized millionaire. would think
seriously of girl in her position, and
she was far too pure and proud to per-
nit any attention from such rs he that
might be lightly misconstrued.
And low pacing the shining beach,
she knew, N last, that another feeling
stronger aud deeper than pride alone
AfEFtA NttE III AiA AAbnt Ills tfANHAuNC-
IF | could only leave here, she
was saying to herself. with a kind of
passionate rebellion against her fate,
III could only be free from the pain
of seeing him, and-and knowing that
he belongs to different world from
mine. If | need never again bear that
woman's pretty stings and slurs. But,
there checking her wild. feyerish
longing with grim little smile Of re-
collection, what am | saying? | mast
earn my daily bread, aud Lou Harding,
with al her little tyrannies, gives me
the chance to do that. No, no;
must STAY on aud continue 20 bear it.
Where else could | 20? What could !
do?'
"What a pleasure TO see YOU at last,
Miss Weir!' broke IN cherry, mascu-
line voice upon ner excited reverie.
And turning. she was face 10 face with
Hugh Mansfield, who extended his
hand with frank, glad smile that lit
up his dark face most wnningiy.
"What must one do. he went on, in
tone half testing, half serious, ITO
obtain an occasional audience with
your majesty? You have not allowed
me the chance to speak one word with
you in three whole days. =
"lndeeu! How you must have
suffered, she retorted lightly, her
careless tones Just tinged with irony:
and she hastily Withdrew the hand
which she had permitted to merely
touch his for instant. But | am not
in society now" she added, fearful
that lie might guess the real truth.
"and | have duties which keep me
quite busily occupied. Even now.
she added. CHANGING nervously toward
the widow ; cottage, Il must be going.
"Joyei how she docs manage to cut
me short whenever | try 10 talk with
her, muttered the young millionaire.
gazing after the light vanishing form
with puzzled frown on his handsome
face. ..Why does she do it, I'd like to
know? Is il pride, what? No
other woman ever tried, or cared to
keep me al such an lev distance. I'm
sure. But she is so different from all
the others in every way! just n glance
from those deep. cool gray eyes, and
then she is gone" All! my fair, proud
LeSlie,'
Mrs. Lou Harding had CHANGED to
witness that brief interview on the
beach. and a startled, uneasy look
flashed into her glittering black eyes.
Il II have 70 get rid of that girl,
see that. she muttered vindictiyely,
drawing her breath hard as She
watched them from the window. "She
/, lovely. in her odd style-daugcr-
ouslg 50; and it'll be impossible to
keep her 10 the background any
longer. now that he's insisted upon
having an Introduction to her. /
won't mention this affair, of course. but
I'll find some good excuse for dis
charging her before two days have
passed. | would die before | would
admit that / looked upon her rs
rival.
Mrs. Harding kept her word. And
when. after Seyera davs had passed
without a glimpse of Miss Weir, Mr.
Mansfield made some inquiries con
corning her. the Young widow put on
4 pretty air Of injured innocence.
.'She left me very unexpectedly,
and | must own that felt rather hurt
over it. since had kept her so long in
my employ and done so much for her. =
she said. with charming little pout.
hfNA 1tAt csLAA4 EAtG - fB1fGAtd SUM ~
be married, and limited at some olt
romance which had just ended al
right IS an excuse for leaving me 30
suddenly. 50 | suppose that | really
ought not to blame her. after all.
The look that swept over Hugh
dark, handsome face. and settled
gloomily in the depths of his beautiful
dark eyes. as he heard the startling
news, convinced the pretty schemer that
she had not sent Leslie away one NOM
ent to soon.
But the watering-p place suddenly lost
All attractions for the young million
aire. He left nj oace, not caring
particularly where he went; and. by
some strange fate, found himself. at
the end Of the first day. in the very
same hotel at which E,slie Weir was
stopping on her way to take new
situation.
In the shock of the sudden meeting
Hugh Numbered forth the story of his
honest love and Leslie, having heard it
threw aside her GOODNESS and reserve,
and then the whole truth came out.
"Since yOu have no relatives or
:, ENDS to consult, my darling plead
- ~ impassioned lover, '.lct us be
,,,,rr;.., Gare at once, and we will re-
-, - tba fashionable watering place
we have Just left to spend our honey
Aud Leslie allo, red the happy fellow
to plan the whole flair just to suit
himself.
When Fanny Remins 'on received
her wadlug-card she smiled ana nod-
ded her sincere approval When Mrs.
Lou Harding received hers. which
Glanced to BE at the breakfast table
in presence of a dozen other giests,she
tainted dead away.
Within a week the beautiful Mrs.
Mansfield was the reigning belle aud
fashion. while Mrs. Harding. who had
lost not moment in packing up her
bewildering wardrobe and fleeing to
new fields of glory, listened in bitter
silence to the hated echoes OF her
rival fame.
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