River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-11-13

LuaL ne NouAuu 20 W NoucOtuid IL
was atrociOus that he should be sent to
bring and deliver a bride as il she were
so much merchandise And yet, did not
a poor poet bring Lalla Rookh to the
arms of her royal lover? Yes, but the
poet was the lover. Well, after all.
what business was il of his? He had
given his word TO Dreier to do him the
favor requested And the future wife
of his partner must be but a narrow
minded and spiritless creature and I'M
worthy his savage chivalry in her de-
Tense.
SO he went; but against his will, as
Beatrice said. when she invited Bene-
dict in to dinner. 1t was still early,
horses before the large, ugly, frame
farmhouse on the outskirts of Con-
cOrdia.
1t was an April day, and a delicious
one. The skies were most softly, sun
nily. LUMINOSITY blue; everywhere
were plows furrowing the dark
sod; everywhere was budding green
cry: everywhere were budding boughs;
and from the prairie grass came
the persistently cheerful chirp of
the meadow larks. Kansas was
that morning, as she not frequently
is, more prodigal of spring time promise
than of midsummer fruitiOn.
Miss Josylanr'
The er-beaten woman who had
answered his brisk knuckle knock on
the panels of the seldom-used hall door
regarded him with stolid curiosity.
81 -, u. a
sOmewheres-gaddin' as usual Won't
you come in?'
mo. thank you," replied Bonnell,
taking his hat of in a fashion that the
poor rich woman for a moment imagined
implied supreme sarcasm, II shall try
to find her"
Find her lie did. She was in the next
field. with half a dozen registering
young BlatchfOrds about her. They
were on their way to seek the where
abouts of nOmadic hen, or rather of
her nest The fear that she would LAY
out" had caused the mistress Of the
farm anxiety unutterable-
Altho, Oh BOnnell has never seen
Linnet there was no installing her. A
girl city born and bred is, in the city,,
one of a multitude. In the country, es-
pecially in the new Western country,
sho is distinctively and delightfully."-
cC17picuOus- She is the transferred
or luct of a more luxurious and in
tricate civilization.
Miss JOsylan. l believe" said Bon
nell.
She bowed slightly. She stood regard
ing him with glance of quiet inquiry.
She was a graceful girl of perhaps eigh-
teen or twenty. Her gown of smoke
colOred cashmere had never been fash
toned by a Kansas dress-mal1er. 1t was
artistically plain. 1t fitted her rounded
young figure with glove-like smooth
ness. Il have come. " said Rob, with an
embarrassment foreign to him, ''from
Henry Dreier."
The face before him-a very delicate,
sensitive face it was. with dark-lashed
hazel eyes and beautiful mouth
famed scarlet from soft hair to white
throat.
''IIe did not receive my letter then?
You are Mr.. BOnnell?7
Rob assented.
II wrote him." hurried on L;nnet
Josylan, that would not go to Belle
vile as he desired"
Rob felt himself placed in an unpleas-
ant position. Assuredly the girl was
neither narrow-minded nor spiritless as
he had supposed when he agreed to full
fill the request of Dreier. For, though
her words were brief and simple. there
was a vast deal of resentment in both
II colo Urn~ - Ae,
name of Heaven had such a woman
promised to marry Henry Dreierl Sud
denly and curiously he was answered.
That's right, Linnetr' piped up one
CT the group who stood gaping at the
stranger, don't We go. heard ma tell
pa yistiday, that ii you went ogit mar
ried she'd have to hire help. an that
the lessn she'd have to pay nd be three
dollars week. Don't we gor'
Linnet looked up from the freckled
and persuasive countenance of Master
Give Leonard Leroy Blatchford. All
the color went out of her face with a
rush. Something set and resolute came
into it
Il shall go with YOU" she said to
BOnsell. She turned and walked toward
the house.
Poor little girl. g" said Rob He knew
now why she. was going to marry Henry.
She would be her own mistress. She
would be independent She would
be free from repellant labor and
petty despotism- If the absorbed and
passionate devotion all young hearts
crave il was not in the nature of Dreier
to give her, she would at least receive
kindness and affection And. morbid
sentimentalists to the contrary. half a
loaf is preferable to no bread.
BonneIl went back TO the road He
stood by the buggy waiting. He could
hear within the house the sounds of
angry and aggrieved protestation.
When. carrying a sachel, Miss Josylan
came out down the path. and to the
buggy. her lips were set in a mutinous
red lire, and her hazel eyes were black
with rebellion. Silently he helped her
in. silently they drove of. Warmer
the day had grown The fresh. half
pungent scent of broke" ground drift
ed TO them. And family heard they the
murmurOus whirr and hum that pre-
ludes the summer.
IL Is about three-hour's drive from
COncOrdia 10 Belleville. They had
travelled more than half the distance,
and almost in utter silence, when all at
once Linnet broke down in a fit of child
ISL weeping.
Turn she painted go back. l
can't marry nry Dreier. He is good.
Yes, know that But to be with him
-alWaySt q uO-uo I Was foolish
] only wanted to get away from Batch
fOrd's IL didn't think of the sin of
marrying for such a reason. Take me
back-pleaseT'
A force mightier than his will. might
Ter than himself. mastered Rob Bonnell.
rOus-dishOnorable? Perhaps But
be could at that moment no more have
held back the words that sprsng from
lis heart 70 his lips and overlooked