River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-07-01
TWAS NOT LUCK.

/ Of grown stile where many an
Alpine youth and maiden have doubt
. less plighted romantic trOth. can see
the first yellow beams of the sun as
they creep up the side Of the huge
frame building half hotel, half water
cure, that have given our party of
tourists welcome shelter for the past
fortnight they throw. too, a faint
shadow of gilded tracery on the tiny
church aud handful of village perched
dizzily on the breezy mountain plateau
hundreds and hundreds of feet above
the sea, whose restless blue waves
surge widely between us and our dis
tant republican home
Who would dream that in two
short hours we begin the ascent of the
Hohenhorn l muse. Withdrawing my
dazzled ewes from the bright scene and
letting them fall on the soft green turf
II my feet dotted with hundreds of
wild blue forget-me-nots. have a
singular liking for these shy flowers.
Perhaps they bring to mind n certain
pair Of eyes fully as rich and deep in
hue. However that may be. | stoop
and puck a handful to adorn the
ribbon Of my hat before | saunter back
to the Dependence and survey through
the quaint latticed window the cool
break ia,.-roOm whose beautifully
sauded floor as vet scarce bears the i'm
print Of a foot.
What can sill Aunt Sophie"
mutter. discontentedly, pIunging both
hands deep down into the pockets of my
sack coat. ITS just like woman to
sleep away the loveliest part of the day.
aud leave a fellow to the company of
his own solitary thoughts.
Here my conscience gives a little
twinge as if to belle the truth of my
words. Aunt sophie. with her still
delicate c5lor and pulls of soft gray
hair. i a treasure any one might envy,
but It 5 Barby after all that l want.
Cousin Barby, whose figure is slim and
straight as one of the tall pines in the
black wood half way down the slope,
and whose brown-lashed eyes are a
perfect match for the for get-nots that
still adorn my hat ribbon.
] have scarcely taken half dozen
impatient strides up and down the
apartment when the door opens softly
and my aunt enters, fine lace veil
partially c0ncealing her silvered hair,
and her black dress of some clinging
material trailing noiselessly after her.
.'GoOd-morningl" / exclaim. warm
ing into sudden cordiality at the sight
Of the fine old face. and putting forth
at the same time a friendly hand. My
gloomy mool has suddenly vanished
like vapor before the warmth of the
morning sun. and strange new Ella
ton has taken possession of me.
Philip"
My aunt does not touch my hand,
but LAYS her own instead, pleadingly
ON my arm. note with surprise that
She looks pale and worn as if from I'M
rest. and that there are dark hOllOws
under her eyes.
Why | eXclaim. with too evident
concern in both tone and manner. but
she sileuce- me with a little Imperative
gesture.
Philip. she repeats, with strange
tremble Of anxiety in her voice, ''why
must YOU attempt the ascent OF the
HOhcnhorn this morning? there will be
/ other days aS perfect as this. and
But YOU proposed it yourself, last
might, I interrupt. a little impatient
ly.
Il know il, - she admits, reluctantly;
..but. after left YOU in the late twi-
+ light. strange doubts and fears camein
7 place OF sleep, aud the morning light
/ has not banished them.
What do YOU fear?' / inquire, care
leSSly, gently tolerant of what l con-
+ slider a woman's within. A low sigh,
scarcely breath. Is the only answer "a
my query. and my gaze Involuntary
+ follows hers out through the latticed
paneS to where, in the near distance,
+ two figures are strolliug slowly over
i the grassy slopes toward us, the fresh
+ wind curling the broad brim of the
mans hat so that he is forced TO secure
+ il with the long, 1.-THE fingers Of his
right hand, while his left almost touches
4 the girls blue dress that tlutteTs about
+ her slim figure in anything but ungrace-
nj folds.
+ Ny eyes met those of my aunt a sec
Ond time.
Il do not like him, Philip she cries,
her usual placid calm of manner Civ
+ ing way to sudden y; ssiOn. Heaven
forgive me if am unjust; but. for some
strange. unknown reason | mistrust
him.
what, Egremont? So do r." af
firm, modify. land so does not
Barby.'
DO not Judge the child harshly
Philip" the mother pleads" "ShC
was always very fond of YOU till thi:
Englishman crossed her path. Per.
maps he fascinateS her Just as he doe,
me. feel like some strsgge serpent
charmed bird whenever his gaze
+ chances to fall on mel
We can say no more, for the other
guests are beginning TO enter, singly
and in pairs. and before | am really
aware of the fact, | am seated opposite
nv cousin ut the table. watching her
fair face just Urged with wild rose,
the result Of her early ramble in the
fresh mountain breeze. as she bends Ia
listen to the low-SpOken words of hel
entertaining companion of the morn
ing. who has secured a place at hel
side. At the picture the demon jeal-
ousy seizes possession of me. What
right has this comparative stranger tC
come between me and the girl that
have loved since the time she was 5
wee. dainty maiden? Yet in my anger
l can bring no grave charge
against him. He Is affable, cOHrteou:
and intelligent. handsome. aud evi
IDENTIFY refined. and Yet, ike Aun
Sophie. | mistrust him.
Barby flashes one of her old ire
Sistible smiles at me As l venture re
mark in rusty German. but | turn
moodily away. unresponsive TO hel
JOYOUS mood. When | glance acros:
again her lips are grave. aud her blu,
ewes hold no second smile fOrme.
An hour later We stand on the chale
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