River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-06-21

twenty. She was very shabbily
dressed. and hau a weary. sad look, quite
unsuited to her age; still. hers was TO
Owen the sweetest. lOvcliest face he
had ever seen. As nc had kind of
haunting conviction that he would, he
began TO love her from the moment
their eyes met in that one quick, COM
prehensive look which soes so much.
The pew in which Owen sat was at
right angles with Mr.. Cruncher's, so,
without dislocation of his neck. the
young man could study the form and
features of this girl who already had
such strong influence upon him
When the service was over, Mr..
Crunchcr stalkcd grimly forth. follow
ed by the silent members of his family.
each and all evidently in great awe of
him. H. vOuchsafed not the shadow
If recognition to Owen. who was no
more TO him than any other piece of
oiiicc-furniture. The young man had
cherished dreams of possible intro
duction 10 the object If his admiration.
but he now saw how idle such fancies
were.
Louise. hold Tommy's hand tight.
You stupidity let him trip on the step.
last SundayI' said Mrs. Cruncher. in
pctuiant tones. with look TO match.
to her niece as they passed Owen
II was some consolation 10 have
learned her name. Louise Lee-it was
a pretty name. and suited her. Was
her life made unhappy by that solemn
old brute of a man? The thought was
torture to Owen. Could any one who
was not very unhappy have such sad
look about mouth and eyes? Aud the
tone Of the old woman in addressing
her was harsh aud unkind. The state
of affairs for the poor girl seemed as
bad. if not worse. than the GOssIps re-
ported. Owen lOngcd for money and
power and influence. and all the good
| things of this life, TO take her away
from her present bondage and give
/ her a home fit for a z rinccss. But
none Of these blessings came 10 him.
and he had to content himself Is best
| ne might with seeing Louise once q
week at church. She never appeared
| elsewhere. and in the gloomy red
| house was inaccessible Is the Sleep
| ing Beauty before the arrival of the
Prince \ zeal FIR regular attendance
/ at church, hitherto foreign to him,
seized upon Owen. making him an OBJ
iect If praise of more than one moth
crly old lady and eligible spinster in
the place.
II, had observed that it was Louise 5
habit. sanctioned by the elders of the
family. 10 draw pictures for the amuse-
ment of the youthful Tommy during
the sermon-a practice probably con
sidered more beneficial TO the young
gentleman than slumber. Neither
Tommy's parents nor the Abigail tool
the least interest in these works o
art. and they were quietly inspected
and destroyed by Tommy only. eacl
Sunday.
One morning Owen lost his way
hOpelcssly in the labyrinths of tn
hymn book. As he was struggling T.
recover himself a pretty hand in
shabby glove-LOuise's hand-helC
toward him a book with the plac
marked by a scrap of paper. Over
was uncomfortably conscious of blush
ing as he accepted the offered eivility
but il was so more than charming L
be noticed, even in the most common
place way. by her.
The bit of paper between the page
was folded in two. He idly pressed
apart with his thumb, and TO his as
constituent read these words, evi
IDENTIFY written in furtive hastei Look
tomorrow, in my uncle's hat-linins
when he comes to the office"
This appeared. indeed, like the be
ginning of a most interesting advent
ure. and the overture made by a gin
whom he feared ignored his very eN
isteuce! How he sat quietly through tn
sermon, and passed the rest of the da
and night until old Cruncher AZ
pearcd at his usual post next morn
ing. Owen never quite knew. Whe
he saw his patron deeply absorbed i
a pile of letters. Owen. like a cOai
and-umbrella thief. stole out into til
passage where such articles were do
posted, and possessed himself of th
old gentleman's sedate-looking hat.
There. as he expressed. he fOun
slowed away in the lining a tiny littl
note. With trembling fingers the no.
hopeful lover laid smooth the compl
Gated folds of the paper and read:
Please do not think me forward OF presum
ing in making the following request: l am j
"
shall not be missed for half an hour. VIII 20
meet me at the end Of the lane leading past OF
house-where the wood beginse L. L.
For the first time since the yOun
; mans arrival at the office Mr.. Crunch
or had occasion TO complain of his il
accuracy and inattention in his work
The head of the establishment wa;
however, guarded in his reproof fo
Stanley was valuable assistant,
the main. and seemed content with 4:
tonishingly little pay.
The following evening Owen was q
the place of rendezvous fully half 4
hour too soon. AS he was Deginnin
: TO despair of Louise 5 coming she al
peared, breathless and greatly agita
ell.
; What must you think of me. sh
r began. making an appointment wit
: you. almost y stranger. at dusk. /
2 this theatrical manncr?"
| I'm sure the motive for all you
d actions is good" replied D wen. ga
Q lantly.
Il have 4 strong motive in this case
T certainly" continued Louise. =
: wish to ask Your advice on n matte
e of the utmost Importance to me-
: have studied your face rs much as
I dared in church heart CAV
/ bound Of delight. Then she ha
i looked at and thought about hint
i ''and / think l can trust you. and ca
I you my friend. have no other.
Q She looked so lovely with the teal
T in her eyes. as she said this. tn;
: Owen longed to take her in bis arm
g and kiss her. instead of declaring hin
n self her devoted servant in pla
words.
e Let us sit down on this fallen tn
: and / will begin my story at the begi
! ming. You men Of the law ave in
of patient of unnecessary preamble,
e Louise went on. with a bright smi
'e for inomentdispeIing the melancho
IS clouding her face. Last Februar
now nearly four months ago. l W