River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-09-19
STELLA'S VOW.
The Story of a Faithful Woman's
Self-Sacrifice.

oEAI-OdCElAACS.
She looked so young. so happy, so
innocent. that he was conscious OF a
chord somewhere about his heart that
had not vibrated for many long day.
He, Graham Standish. was making an
afternoon call. and she. Stella Grey,
had Just trippcd into the room My
aunt begs YOU 10 excuse her for mo-
ment," Stella said I'VE have just
come in, aud She Is taking her bonnet
Of
Standish made a polite and appro-
pirate rejoinder In his heart he
wished devoutly that the moment
might be indefinitely prolonged. Il
need not ask if you enjoyed the dance
last night" he said. looking with in
creasing pleasure It the fair and can
did face.
''Oh, 20 r1uch, so much"' she re-
piled, with a pretty enthusiasm that
was absolutely unaffected Her eyes
danced in the sunlight that streamed
in at the ENTHUSIASTICALLY dark
ened rooms and cunning blinds and
rosy lights were not in vogue in this
house. Stella's skin was like a blush
rose. aud. although she was not reg
ularly beautiful. there was something
graceful and bright about her which
made her more attractive than many
girls with greater claims to positive
beauty. 81 love dancing, do not yOuP"
she asked. smiling radiantly at him
eff Heaven were to be one long dance.
would be good all the rest of my life"
Il am sure you are good enough for
Heaven, whatever it may be" replied
Standish; and he spoke with such
gravity. and even intensity. that Stella
felt a little confused, and had to talk
rather fast to conceal her embarrass-
ment
II an not at all good. Quite the re-
verse. Ask Aunt Marian she said.
He looked at her with smiling in
creduIity. She was like a white lily
to him; like the down on a swans
breast; like snow fresh fallen on some
mountain And yet Standish was a
thorough man of the world; skeptical
about religion, friendship. love and
women in general But though he
had lived and had known almost every
phase of society. he never said abso-
lutely to himself or any one else, as
many younger and less experienced of
his fellows do; There is not ssIeh
thing as a good woman On the con-
trary, he had maintained that this
rara avis does exist. but that the speci-
mems are few, and. when found, 10 be
valued as pearls of great price. He
was hard and stern. with an iron will;
but he had a conviction that good.
pure loving woman could change all
the worst part of him. and inspire him
With deep love aud tenderness. He
net Stella for the first time On the
previous night. and to-day. already,
n, felt she approached closely to his
IDEAL.
Il am sure you like dancing, too,
because YOU dance 80 well, said
stella; and then she blushed little at
having paid him a compliment
1t was you who inspired me. " he
replied; and then. deeply 10 his chagrin,
Aunt Marian came in. He had to con-
troll his eyes now, and 10 talk all sorts
of platitudes; but he went away happy,
having won from Mrs. Grey a promise
that she, her husband, her son, and
Stella would dine with him at Hurting
ham the following Saturday, and allow
him 10 drive them down in his coach.
When the door closed upon him. Stella
waited madly round the room, finished
up by embracing her aunt with an
srdor which made that aniable lady
smile and ask if she was gCing out of
her senses
How utterly delightful! What "A
nice. dear man" Stella cried. and re-
sumed her gyratiOns.
Il believe he is rich and very well
connected" observed Mrs. Grey. who
was. what they say every good woman
is. matchmaker. She was quite
aware that her son Leo and Stella
fancied themselves in love with each
other. but that was. Of course. ridicu-
lous. as neither had any money. She
tolerated the idea with perfect good
humor. but always had her eyes open
for a good match for either
Atdinner the Admiral. Siella's uncle.
and Leo were informed Of the invita-
ton. and received it with satisfaction.
His father and l served together.
remarked the Admiral He was a
good deal my senior. A bit of a
martinez. but. by JOve, he was tanned
at home. He was frightened out of
his soul by his wife, who was hand
some tartar. with sill like iron. Her
SON looks a II he had inherited some
Of IT,"
Now. Uncle George. You are not to
say word against him. cried Stella
I'VE are going 10 eat his bread and
salt on Saturday." and she laughed de-
lightedly.
Il suppose it Is sou. my dear. We
may thank for this hospitality. said
the Admiral. jocularly- Leo frowned.
Later in the evening. when the
elders we're playing bezique, Leo whis-
pered TO Stella: u am not going 70
have you firt with this chap Remem-
Der. miss
She smiled at him with her innocent
blue ewes is it hkely?" she said;
and they squeezed each others hands
in token of confidence
When Saturday arrived, and Stella
found herself on the box seat beside
Standish-Mrs Grey having declined
the post Of honOr-her delight knew
no bounds. Standish's stern face was
illumined by pride and pleasure
look into those smiling eyes seemed