River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-02-16

affecting to be unaware Of NatalieS pres
ence.
'sTVhy. there she is. Don't you see herln
Looking up, hastily, the young man blushed
(thank Heaven this was genuine, and stands
out like a refreshing, green oasis in the des-
ert Of all his other artificial, cut-and-dried
actions), appeared surprised, and quickly
and rather awkwardly pulled on his hat and
bowed.
Natalie looked puzzled. And she was dis
turbed. Where had she seen that brow and
those eyes before. They both were strange
" familiar.
However. ere she had time to continue
her reflection, the hat was replaced, and
Arthur Fairfax came forward, and smiling
" said:
This little fairy has dragged me, willy
nilly into the presence of a stranger who, l
trust, appreciates my situation, and will
pardon this seeming intrusioni"
In reply to his remark, she answered,
simply and quietly:
Il think you must be the gentleman who
has captured Dolores heart"
'Ah." queried he, laughing, Il can't say
as 70 that. But do know that I'm one Of the
individuals whose heart Dolores has capt
ured''
Natalie smiled, and Dolores turned her at
Q
of thai large animal
'Yes," continued the stranger, II came
here a day or two ago to hunt for roll of
music that | lost somewhere about here,
and while was searching, met this young
fairy
WAS it manuscript eagerly interrupted
Natalie.
1t was" promptly responded the other,
l feeling that his ruse was succeeding.
''Wa, it called Stella Near"
1T 80 as" again he replied, affecting lit
/ tie yeLl-feigned astOnishment at her ques-
tons nd manner
Then | have it, continued she, with
/ evident delight. Il found it here, and, do
you know, / like it very much, indeed. Did
/ you really compose itl You are musical,
( then, IS wen as poetical!'
/ Verify, Mistress Natalie was overcoming
I her man-hating prOclivities.
/ Still this was not at all surprising. When
/ this young man resolved to win the good
will of any one, male or female, few reason
! able mOrtals could resist him. That frank
ness, that apparent simple-mindedness,
I threw strangers off their guard, and ere
/ they knew it, the citadal of their reserve had
4 quite capitulated
Il am glad YOU like it, indeed" answered
! he. with a slight bow, looking very much
pleased Chow fortunate / am TO have met
( youi For, strangely enough, have been
unable to recall all of either the melody or
the words. May return with you TO the
/ house and get it!'
/ Certainly" replied Natalie, falling quick
/ ly into the trap; Pm very glad to have dis
/ covered its owner
| The ice was now broken.
Fairfax had once more plotted success
ag.r, 90
4 fleet upon her course, might have been sur
! prised, to say the least. She was chatting
/ away as gayly and unconcernedly with this
/ stranger, of whom she knew absolutely
/ nothing, as if she had known him for years.
They walked together up toward the cot
| tage. Dolores between them, holding the
/ hand of each in her tiny fingers, while Max
/ followed demurely behind.
! Fairfax quite naturally let slip the re-
mark that he was located in the pretty cot
/ tage across the fields-Natalie had often
/ seen it and admired its charming situation
and quaint architecture he added,
/ II have rented it for the autumn months.
| Glen Gore is its name"
/ Fairfax refrained from making any per
sonaI remarks whatever to Natalie until, as
they approached the house, he said:
Il think l must have heard you singing,
y
4 You sing, do You not3''
''Yes," answered she, simply. ''DO your
''Nc am sorry to say do not. 1 some
times play for my own amusement, but
there is such wretehed piano in my cot
Z cage that take little pleasure in performs
ing upon it. Have you good piano"
Yes" said she, readily and unsus-
piciously falling into the second little traI
he was laying.
He had so timed his question that they
row stood on the porch, and Natalie, before
she realized what she was doing, had added
I courteOusly;
"Win you come in and try it:''
"With pleasure - responded ne, immedi
ately stepping in through the door.
At first Natalie felt little alarmed, wher
she considered that she had introduced al
absolute stranger into her defensclcss and
''malelessn home Fairfax, however, gave
her no time for reflection. With easy
grace and the utmost coolness he moved
quickly toward the instrument, uttering, as
he neared il, the pleased exclamation:
How delightful! / know the make wellP
SO saying, he sat down before the key
board and began soft, sweet prelude Of
. Chopin's. Natalie Immediately recognized
the touch of a musician, and listened witt
increasing pleasure.
Fairfax now decided upon a bold cOul
deaf.
TrO RE CONTINUFDl