River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-09-19

fling matters. but when he felt strong
desire TO attain a purpose. he would
move Heaven or hell to compass il.
He had taken it for granted that
Stella was free and heart-whole, SO
when at dinner he saw Leo looking
jealousy at her, and intercepted the
loving, reassuring smile she sent back,
he experienced a sudden and violent
pang. But he had sufficient self-con-
troll to conceal it. and before dinner
was over more parties had been planned
for the following week. On Wednesday
they were TO go to the dance at the
New Club. and the Admiral felt the
least they could do was to ask their
host to dine with them on Monday.
"How heavenly it would have been"
said Leo. when they got home, IF the
mater had gone in front and you and
had sat behind tOgetherl' And Stella
concurred.
Standish did not sleep well that
night. He had conceived a violent
passion for Stella, and he meant and
willed that she should be his But
the thought of the cousin, who
was a gOOd-lOoking lad. chafed
and irritated him. II was ride
ulOus to think there could be any
thing between them more than "a boy
and girl fancy. The Greys were not
well of. Leo was only a clerk in the
Foreign Office; he could not marry her.
But Standish could not endure to think
that any one had so much as breathed
upon his lily. His? Yes. his! When
ever his will had been reused he had
never vet failed to obtain his object
Instinct told him that he must not be-
tray his passion TO Stella; he knew
that it would brighten and repel her
II was hard task when his arm was
round her in a waltz and his heart
beat so near hers, but exercised i'm
mense self-command. and when his
eyes would have betrayed him he
averted them absolutely from her face.
He soon became the friend of the
house. Leo, no longer jealous, Goa
ceiyed the strong liking for him that
an enthusiastic and frank -natured lad
often feels for "A man considerably his
senior Standish gave him constant
dinners, lent him horses to ride or
drive, supplied him with choice cigars,
and took him about The end OF the
season was drawing on. Staudish be-
gan to find his position unbearable.
II was the first time in his life that he
had played double part, and he hated
it. He had always been a man of honor,
now he was going to descend to base
means. And yet he swore to himself
that his love, as he called it. was the
purest and best part of him. and he
vowed to love and cherish this
fair creature rs the apple
OF his eye. and to develop
every good and generous quality for
her sake-once he possessed herl So
Standish set himself to serve two
masters: hell first and Heaven after.
He found out Leo's weakest spot,
which, poor lad, was a tendency to
gamble. Standish led him slowly and
surely On-racing. card playing, even
a little flutter on the stock exchange.
F or the first time in his life Leo's
pockets were full of money. He was
intoxicated with the unwonted sensa-
tiou. He bought a diamond heart for
Stella. which she dared not wear, but
treasured fondly. for he had sworn her
to secrecy about his money making.
What delicious whisperings they had
together, When he had made f1O,-
600 they would be married. Stella
was more charming than ever TO
Standish. Was he not their guardian
angel?
The day of reckoning came quickly
and surely. Leo lost all his winnings
in GOodwoOd week, and e.. 900 be-
side. He was horribly vexed, but by
no means in despair, with friend
like Standish at his back. But sud-
denly Standish made a volte-face,
looked and spoke sternly, and abso-
lutely declined to advance the money.
Stunned and stupefied, for one mad
hour Leo dreamed of suicide; but he
was young, the love of life was strong
in him. and he thought of his parents
and Stella with n deeper affection
than he had ever felt before. But
what could he DO? 1t would be inn
possible for his father to raise the
money in so short a time, even if he
consented. but Leo did not be-
lieve he would consent, and no
felt il would be easier to die
than to ask him. But TO be default
er. What high-spirited young fellow
could bear such thought? That night
he took Stella into the gardens in
front of the house. and there he told
her every thing. with burning, miser-
able shame and anguish. She wept
and wrung her hands. Was there JUS
tice in Heaven il this awful calamity
could fall on one so loved, so guileless
Gin her eyes) as Leo-On those dear
people who had been as father and
mother 20 her. She rallied against
Standish, and vowed she had always
mistrusted that stern face of his. She
lay awake all night, her golden hair
tossing on the pillow. her white face
rosy with feverish anxiety. She would
see Standish, would plead with him
YES. on her knees. He had always
seemed so glad TO do her smallest be-
hest; surely in a matter of life and
death he would not refuse her. She
contrived to see him, and alone.
With bushes that scorched her fair
white lace, she pleaded to him as in
the watches of the night she had
scOoled herself to plead Then Stan
dish unmasked. He kept the passion
of his heart and eyes in leash. but he
told her without disguise the only
terms on which he was prepared to ac-
cede to her prayers. She was the
price of Leo's deliverance. He waxed
eloquent; his voice and manner were
tender as a wOmans as he poured out
his love TO her-the love with which
he had loved, nay, wOrshipped her
from almost the first moment
when his eyes beheld her. Stella re-
coiled from him in horror; then, re-
covering herself, she appealed pas
siOnately TO his generosity. to his pity
even. Pityi he had no more pity than
the tiger whose prey is within his
grasp; desire knows neither mercy nor
pity. Her tears. her distress. kindled
still more the violent and cruel side of