Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-05-07

ing in giving this turn to the conversa-
ton was venturing upon dangerous
ground.
"When dost thou expect thy hus-
band to return?" asked.
II do not know" she answered me-
IF he will soon return. He wrote to
me that he would not be long away;
but it is now six months or moresince
got that letter, and have not heard
any further news OF him."
''Thou must feel lonely at home
Were you living long together before
he went away?"
''Three weeks only"
"And thou must have cried for him
a great deal when he went to join the
service?"
She smiled.
elbow can 1t concern thee to know"
she replied.
"Was it any harm to ask thee?"
enc" she answered after moments
reflection, cit was not any harm.
But dost thou wish ME to answer thee
very frankly-to tell thee the whole
truth?"
Certainly or else do not answer me
at ALL"
'"Well, then, will say to thee that
did not cry when he went away. I
did not love him. was married to
him against my WILL
land now thou dost not love any
one?" I asked, with real interest.
Yes, do" she returned with a
smile.
"And may know whom thou
lovest?"
''Thou mayst."
"Then who?"
II love this ring"
And she held up before my eyes the
little gold ring had given her at the
morning service.
"But there is no sense in loving a.
ring-an inanimate object that cam
not speak to thee,--that cannot tell
thee one wish of the hearth"
Mariana blushed, but made no
answer. And as she remained silent a
long time, said:
"Whv dost thou say nothing? Is
it because thou hast suddenly become
dumb?"
"No," she answered sweetly, "Ihave
not become dumb; but I think it is
better that should be silent, for am
very much afraid that all this talk
would lead us to nothing good"
''Perhaps thou art right" I an
swered, a little disappointed. Then
rising, I said: "Let us walk on-let us
90 to thy sisters"
Every well, let us 60, my young gen.
tleman," she responded, with little
sadness in her r voice
We had another verst and half to
walk before reaching the farm. For
some moments we proceeded in silence
occupied with our thoughts.
We came to q little grove of birch
trees. Suddenly Mariana turned to-
ward me, and looking me full in the
face, said, with a blush: -:
ri would like-I would like, sOemuch
to tell thee, but could never, dare to
tell-still, thou must know it. Unjust
tell thee, because if do not tell thee
l think should die. Let us sit down
here" she continued in ascarcely aud
ible voice. = u y L.
We sat down. She seemed violently
agitated. i. TT
This is how it is, my young gentle
man." she said, very gently, and trem-
bling all over as she spoke. II love
thee; it can only cause thee pain and
me much torment:- but, for sure, and
no matter what happens, will never
give up this little ring which thou didst
give me. !" s 81. 8.
could not find q word in answer; I
held my peace, totally vanquished by
the innocence Of her avowal. We both
felt i'll at ease while; butsoon agush
oftendernesso vercame our embarrass-
ment, and 9 long kiss made our lips
dumb. # .5azs IS :sss -.
Then she rose up, all joyous. We
arose and followed the road to the
farm. She walked close to me, sing
ino her merriest songs, and looking at
me from time to time with her. beauti-
fnl caressing eye.
She seemed quite happy at having
conf ed ii me, and 1t knowing that
our hearts understood each other.
&c the farm house 10 passed de-
lli6htfal day. We took Q boat-ride
81 tho Desna. Mariana, sitting by
me, bathed me with her warm breath,
and i could not resp pre- enough q It
~ sweet tvs.
So -