River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-08-22
COLONEL VILLIERS.
A Hero's Sacrifice for the Only
Girl He Ever Loved.


stepped out Of a tirst-cla>s carriage,
and was Immediately bounced upon
by young fellow who had been i'm
patiently pacing the platform for the
last twenty minutes, anathematising
the weather, the railway company.
the train, himself. and every thing
and every body, both individually and
collectively. When, however. he saw
The traveller step out. his gloOminess
and irritability disappeared. and he
seized hold Of his hand, saying: Jaw
fully glad To see you, old fellow; really
thought you had determined to cut rs.
Where the deuce is al your impede
ments?' Then TO the porter; Il say,
Bob, three pOrtmautcaus; come, look
alive" and whilst the porter and
groom were getting together these
necessary but bOthersOme articles, the
gentlemen walked to the gate of the
little station and got into a dOg-cart,
TO which were harnessed pair Of fine,
clcan-made horses. By the time they
had comfortably settled themselves,
and had lighted mans little idOl-a
cigar-the luggage was well slowed
and the man up at the back, and in
few minutes they We're out Of the sta
tion yard and bowling along the coun-
try road at n pace that was. consider
ing the fOggy state of the atmosphere,
10 say the least rather risky.
As the two sit side by side. casual
observer would notice lot Of difference
in them. The young fellow who Is
driving is Sir Percy Lendorn, who has
seen about twcnty-four summers, aud
i Iicht-hcarted. happy-go-luclly fell
low. who takes life easily. aud never
knows any thing but sunshine He is
the fourth Baronet, and having had
neither father nor mother for many
years. has had unlimited rope To his
will. He is a regular favOrite with
all the people round, who love his
handsome, open face, with his blue
eyes and his light, curly hair. fellow
who has a cheery word for every body.
His companion is about thirty three.
and in build a regular Hercules. stand
ing fully six ioet three. has dark brown,
earnest eyes and hair, and firm.
severe and cold. vet withal a hand
some, face; the strong, determined
lines OF the mouth are to great ex-
tent hidden by a heav- mUstache. a
man who rarely makes friends, but,
when once does. sticks; who. when he
makes promise Will fulfil it at what
ever cost, man who at first sight in
spires more fear than love. This Is
Colonel John Guy Villicrs, V. C., -
Laucers, now stationed in Burmah.
home ON sick leave from gun-shOt
wound in his lee, which accounts for
his slight limp when walking. TO the
few, the very few, with whom he cares
10 be associated. nc Is best known as
''Jack" Eilliers, and to those only,
perhaps. are his best qualities known.
In his regiment he is IA mystery: his
men can hardly understand his extreme
severity with them in cases of breaches
Of discipline. and his kindness in case
OF sickness. when trooper is to him
not an inferior. but brother.
This i Colonel Villiers' first visit to
the home OF his friend. Sir Percy
F.erdorn. and although he looked for
ward to it with a certain amount Of
pleasure. 1t was really 20 satisfy the
young Baronet-who had asked him
times inuumcrliIc-th that he has made
the promise.
Af.er twenty-five minutes journey,
they turn from the road into a drive
that has az the end their goal. in the
shane # Marine Hall. a jolly, coy
looking ol1-fashioned gentleman's res
idcnce. where they are received by an
elderly lady. whom Sir Percy intro
duces rs My Aunt, Mrs. Dcane- The
gentlemen Immediately 20 mp to their
rooms to prepare for homely dinner,
which has been held back for them.
just as Colonel VilIicrs was sitting
down 10 the dinner table the door
quis IS opened. and in came young
lady apolOgizing for being late.
As VuIicrs looked at her she formed
IN his mind the prettiest picture he
had ever seen; petite and dark, with
marvcluusly fine complexion, and a
pair &c diyinely sweet. innocent eyes.
she stood. dressed in simple gown Of
some soft creamy colored stuff. and
with few rcd roses on her breast and
I'm her hair. which cOntrasted with and
acted a. a foil 10 her lOveliucss- She
looked like some faIry-gypsy sprite.
and caused Jack Eilliers' heart 10
thumn a. Il had mover done before. He
was Immediately introduced 10 her:
MY cousin. Miss CORVALLIS"
As the Young lady glanced up at the
CoIOuels face she muttcred 10 herself:
What an iciclc. / feel starved 10
death already.
Dinner was passed through, Sir
Percy aud Miss CORVALLIS doing the
talking. Villiers only Ginning in now
and again with monosyllabic REPLIES
upon his life in Burmah. After a very
short interval the gentlemen adjourned
90 the drawing-rOom, where Nilliers
sat and listened to the quiet snoring
OF Mrs Deane and TO the occasional
singing of the young lady. Aftsr the
ladies had retired. the two fellows sat
up smoking and chatting ito the
small hours Suddenly ST. Percy
said: Il say. Jack, what do you think
10 Mayo
PRAY who may May be?'
..Why. my cousin. Miss May Corn
wallis. Of course
Not being a judge OF ladies, really
can not say"
But YOU ought to be judge. "
s.My dear fellow, when man is
poor. ladies. especially mammss. do
NOS exactly worship him. to say the
least; and SINGS fortune has been good
enough to give me a look in l have
had no inclination 70 dabble with
subject so much beyond my compre-
hensiou."
This was a long speech for Villisrs.